POTENTIAL AFLATOXIN AND OCHRATOXIN A PRODUCTION BY Aspergillus species IN POULTRY FEED PROCESSING

FRAGA M.E; CURVELLO F.A.; GATTI M.J.; CAVAGLIERI L.R

VETERINARY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS

SPRINGER

Año: 2007 vol. 31 p. 343 - 353

0165-7380

Feed are prone to fungal growth and mycotoxins production during poultry feed processing. The biota identification with ability to produce mycotoxins is essential. The aims were: 1) to monitore the mycobiota counts at different stages of poultry feed processing, 2) to determine the occurrence of Aspergillus species, 3) to evaluate the aflatoxins and ochratoxin A natural incidence. Likewise, the ability to produce these toxins by Aspergillus spp. and its teleomorphs isolated here was investigated. Samples (144) were collected at random from a factory of Brazil. Aspergillus and Eurotium species occurrence on DRBC and DG18 media, the aflatoxins and ochratoxin A production and natural incidence by TLC and HPLC methodologies were determined. A. flavus and E. chevalieri were the most prevalent species isolated. Fungal contamination was not found after pelleting process, while levels of Aspergillus and Eurotium species from trough samples were recovered. High levels of aflatoxin and ochratoxin A producers were found at all stages of poultry feed processing. Also, high natural contamination with aflatoxins and ochratoxin A was found in the samples. Feed contact with remainder poultry feed could lead to fungal contamination so, the risk of aflatoxins and/or ochratoxin A feed contamination must be taken into account.