Mycobiota in poultry feeds and natural occurrence of aflatoxins, fumonisins and zearalenone in the Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.

.R. OLIVEIRA, J.M. RIBEIRO, M.E. FRAGA, L.R. CAVAGLIERI, G.M. DIREITO, K.M. KELLER, A.M. DALCERO, C.A.R. ROSA

Carlos Paz, Argentina

Congreso; Congreso MYCOGLOBE; 2006

The intake of mycotoxin-contaminated feeds can lead to nutrient losses and can have adverse effects on animal health and on productivity. The aims of this study were 1) to determine the mycobiota present in poultry feed samples, and 2) to evaluate the natural co-occurrence of AFB1, FB1 and ZEA. Fungal counts were similar between all culture media tested (103 CFU g-1). The most frequent genus isolated was Penicillium spp. (41.26%) followed Aspergillus by spp. (33.33%) and Fusarium spp. (20.63%). A commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit was applied to quantify aflatoxin B1 and fumonisin B1. A comparison between ELISA and HPLC was carried out. AFB1 values ranged  between <2.0 to 21 ng g-1. Fumonisin B1 levels ranged between <0.3 to 9.1 mg g-1. HPLC and ELISA methods showed a positive correlation for AFB1 and FB1 determinations (r=0.9963 and r=0.9916, respectively). ZEA levels ranged between <0.1 to 0.7 mg g-1. The present study has further warranted the simultaneous ocurrence of two carcinogenic mycotoxins, AFB1 and FB1, together with other Fusarium mycotoxin (ZEA) in feed intended for poultry consumption. A synergistic toxic response is possible in animals on simultaneous exposure. These research indicate that the high prevalence of potential toxin producers is indicative of potential mycotoxin problems in poultry feeds.