Mycotoxicity of barley rootlets and malt used as pig feedstuff ingredients

4- L.R.CAVAGLIERI, K.M. KELLER, C.M. PEREYRA, M.L. GONZÁLEZ PEREYRA, V.A. ALONSO, F.G. ROJO, A.M DALCERO, C.A.R. ROSA

JOURNAL OF STORED PRODUCTS RESEARCH

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Año: 2009 vol. 45 p. 147 - 150

0022-474X

Barley rootlets storage is an increasing practice employed as raw material in pig feeding in Brazil. This practice represents an important alternative for animal production due to their high levels of proteins, fibers and low price Poor management of raw materials during storage can result in fungal growth can lead to the loss of nutritive substances and may also result in contamination by mycotoxins no studies have been carried out to determine the mycotoxicological risk that represents barley rootlets for animal consumption due to the natural contamination with mycotoxins. In view of the scarcity of information and the largely use as feedstuff raw material, the aims of this work were 1) to identify fungi associated with barley rootlets used as pig feedstuff raw material, and 2) to determine the natural levels of FB1 and AFB1 in this substrate over a year. Samples were examined for total fungi and genera distribution. Fumonisin B1 and aflatoxin B1 contamination were determined using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Barley rootlet samples showed high fungal contamination. Fusarium verticillioides was the most prevalent Fusarium spp. Only A. flavus was isolated from among Aspergillus spp. All samples (100%) were positive for fumonisin B1 whereas aflatoxin B1 contamination was not detected. This is the first report on fungal and mycotoxins natural contamination of barley rootlets used for pig consumption. Feedstuff producers should control feed supplies for mycotoxins to avoid animal production impairment and hazards to animal and human health.