DETERMINATION OF AFLATOXIN LEVELS IN COMMERCIAL POULTRY FEEDS SOLD IN SOME PARTS OF SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Aflatoxin contamination of animal feeds is common and widely spread especially in the tropics due to        ubiquity of the producing fungi. This study was carried out to identify and quantify common moulds and        aflatoxin levels in commercial poultry feeds sold in four states of South Western, Nigeria. Twenty sam-        ples of poultry feeds, 5 from each state (Lagos, Ogun, Osun and Oyo) were bought from retailers. The        feed   samples   were   analysed   microbiologically   for   moulds   and   total   aflatoxins   using   Enzyme-linked                                                                              4            4         Immunosorbent   Assay   (ELISA).   Mould   count   ranged   between   1  x   10 and   8   x   10 cfu/g.   Common        moulds   isolated   were   Aspergillus   flavus,   A.  parasiticus,  A.   terreus,   A.  niger,  A.  oryzae,  Rhizopus        oryzae,  and Penicillium notatum.  Total aflatoxin levels ranged between 13.5 and 270 ug/kg. Maize        was the main ingredient in all feeds examined. This study highlights the need for routine surveillance.         Feed millers are encouraged to add fungal growth inhibitors or toxin binders to their feeds.