Mycoflora and ochratoxin-producing ability by Aspergillus and Penicillium species isolated from poultry feeds

ROSA CARLOS A.R., RIBEIRO JESSIKA M.M., FRAGA MARCELO E., GATTI MARIO, CAVAGLIERI LILIA R., MAGNOLI CARINA E. , DALCERO ANA M. AND LOPES, CARLOS W.G.

VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY

Elsevier

Lugar: Rijswijk (Holanda); Año: 2006 p. 1 - 8

0378-1135

Commercial feedstuffs in Brazil are an important component in modern animal husbandry but there is no information available about their fungal contamination and ochratoxin A (OTA) production. The aims of this work were to: determine the mycoflora incidence in poultry feeds and evaluate the OTA production. Likewise, the ability to produce OTA by several Aspergillus and Penicillium species was investigated. A total of 96 samples of poultry feeds were collected from 4 factories of Rio de Janeiro. The samples were examined for total moulds, for Aspergillus and Penicillium spp occurrence and for their relative densities on dichloran rose bengal chloramphenicol and dichloran 18% glycerol media. The capacity to produce ochratoxin A by selected Aspergillus and Penicillium species was determined by HPLC. Total mould counts were generally higher than 1 x 105 CFU ml-1. Aspergillus and Penicillium species were isolated in the highest numbers. Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium citrinum were the most prevalent species. There was a high percentage of potential OTA producers (46%). The amount of OTA produced on this substrate was enough to cause adverse effects in animals. Several strains isolated from poultry feeds were able to produce high levels of OTA on chloramphenicol yeast medium. OTA survey in raw materials and storage practices must be investigated to determine their occurrence and to establish the livestock toxicological risk in poultry feed.