Question

Which of the following is an example of a non-edible oilcake is NOT suitable for feeding cattle?

• A. Castor
• B. Groundnut
• C. Rapeseed
• D. Sesame

Hint:

Non-edible oilcakes include Castor, Neem, Mahua, and Karanja. Because they contain natural toxins or highly bitter compounds (like ricin in castor or azadirachtin in neem), they are used as organic manures and biopesticides rather than animal feed.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Oilcakes are the coarse residues remaining after oil has been extracted from oilseeds.
They are classified into edible oilcakes (which are safe, highly nutritious, and rich in protein, making them ideal for cattle feed) and non-edible oilcakes (which contain toxic or bitter substances, making them unsuitable for cattle feed but useful as organic manure).

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze each of the oilcakes listed:
Groundnut (B), Rapeseed (C), and Sesame (D): These are edible oilcakes.
They are highly palatable, rich in digestible protein and energy, and are widely used as primary protein supplements in dairy cattle rations.
Castor (A): The seeds of castor (Ricinus communis) contain extremely toxic compounds, most notably ricin (a highly poisonous ribosome-inactivating protein) and the allergen RCA (Ricinus communis agglutinin).
These toxins remain in the oilcake residue after oil extraction.
If ingested by cattle, castor cake causes severe gastrointestinal irritation, internal hemorrhaging, and can be fatal.
Therefore, castor cake is strictly non-edible and is used primarily as a high-nitrogen organic manure and soil conditioner, but never as cattle feed.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Castor oilcake is non-edible and highly toxic, making it completely unsuitable for feeding cattle. This corresponds to option (A).