Surveillance of aflatoxin and microbiota related to brewer’s grain destined for swine feed in Argentina.

GERBALDO G.; PEREYRA C.M; CAVAGLIERI L.; RUIZ F.; PASCUAL L.; DALCERO A. ; BARBERIS L.

Veterinary Medicine International

SAGE-Hindawi

Año: 2011 vol. 2011 p. 1 - 7

2042-0048

Córdoba province in the center of Argentina is an important area of swine production. The use of industry residue (brewer´s grain) as feedstuff for swine is a regular practice and inceases animal performance on these animals production. The occurrence of aflatoxin contamination is global, causing severe problems especially in developing countries. No reports on aflatoxin B1 production, micoflora and potential aflatoxin B1 producer from brewer´s grain are available. The aims of this study were 1) to isolate the microbiota species from brewer´s grain, 2) to determine aflatoxin B1 natural contamination levels and 3) to determine the ability of Aspergillus section Flavi isolates to produce aflatoxins in vitro. Physical properties, total fungal counts, lactic acid bacteria and fungal genera distribution were determined on this substrate. In 65% of the samples, fungal counts were higher than recommended, lactic bacterium counts ranged from 1.9 x 105 to 4.4 x 109 CFU g-1. Aspergillus spp. prevailed over other fungal genera. Aspergillus flavus was the prevalent species followed by A. fumigatus. Aflatoxin B1 levels in the samples were higher than 20 g kg-1. Several Aspergillus section Flavi strains were able to produce aflatoxin B1 in vitro. Inadequate storage conditions promote the proliferation of mycotoxin-producing fungal species. Regular monitoring of feeds is required in order to prevent chronic and acute toxic syndromes related to this kind of contamination.