Mycological survey and mycotoxins detection in equine feed samples

KELLY KELLER, BEATRIZ QUEIROZ, LUIZ KELLER, JESSIKA RIBEIRO, LILIA CAVAGLIERI Y CARLOS A.R. ROSA

PFERDEHEILKUNDE

Hippiatrika

Lugar: Hannover (Alemania); Año: 2005 vol. 21 p. 19 - 21

0177-7726

Molds capable of producing mycotoxins present in raw materials will contaminate the final compound into which they are incorporated, such as mixed feeds. Feed contamination can lead to nutrient losses and can have detrimental effects on animal health and production. The purposes of this study were to investigate the mycobiota in equine mixed feeds and to determine aflatoxin B1 and fumonisin B1 natural contamination. Fungal enumeration of pelletized, non-pelletized and oat samples was done. A commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was applied to the quantification of AFB1 and FB1. A comparison between ELISA and HPLC was carried out. Feed DRBC, DG18 and DCPA counts ranged less than 1 x 102 to 1 x 105 CFU g-1. The highest values were obtained from non-pelletized feeds and oats. The most frequent genus isolated was Aspergillus spp. (40.54%) followed by Penicillium spp. (18.38%) and Fusarium spp. (16.22%). The most prevalent Aspergillus spp. was A. flavus (36%). AFB1 values ranged between 0.01 to 99.4 mg kg-1. Fumonisin B1 levels ranged between 0.01 to 7.49 mg kg-1. HPLC and ELISA methods showed a positive correlation for AFB1 and FB1 determinations (r=0.9851 and r= 0.9791, respectively) and confirm efficiency of the Beacon kits.  The ELISA analytical method was efficient for aflatoxin B1 and fumonisin B1 detection. The scarcity of studies on fungal contamination and on the presence of aflatoxin B1 and fumonisin B1 in materials used as equine feed ingredients highlight the value and contribution of this study.