Mycobiota and aflatoxins in raw materials and pet food in Brazil

CAMPOS S.G; CAVAGLIERI L.R

JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND ANIMAL NUTRITION

Japan

Año: 2008 vol. 92 p. 377 - 383

0931-2439

Commercial feedstuffs in the world are a basic element in modern pet husbandry. In dogs, the effect of mycotoxins is severe and can lead to death. Few reports on the influence of dietary mycotoxins were found in the scientific literature. The aims of this work were to isolate and identify the mycoflora and to determine the aflatoxins natural occurrence in raw materials and dry ready pet food. Therefore, the aflatoxigenic capacity of Aspergillus flavus species was investigated. Aspergillus was the prevalent genera (65-89%) followed by Penicillium and Fusarium spp. A. flavus was the most prevalent species, followed by A. sydowii, A. fumigatus and A. versicolor. A. flavus frequencies ranged from 58% to 86% except in sorghum meal. All samples assayed (except corn grains and ready pet food), shown Fusarium spp. contamination. Corn meal and corn meal and gluten samples had 100% F. verticillioides. F. graminearum was isolated from sorghum meal. A. flavus strains (75%) isolated from raw materials and 57% from pet food were able to produce AFs. All samples, shown AFs contamination percentages over 70%, corn and sorghum meal obtained the highest AFs levels. Ready pet food did not show quantitative levels of the tested toxins. This is the first report of the aflatoxigenic capacity by A. flavus from Brazilian pet food.