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Potential Aflatoxin and Ochratoxin A Production by Aspergillus Species in Poultry Feed Processing

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Abstract

Poultry feeds are prone to fungal growth and mycotoxin production during processing. The identification of biota with the ability to produce mycotoxins is essential. The aims of this study were (1) to monitor the mycobiota counts at different stages of poultry feed processing; (2) to determine the occurrence of Aspergillus species; (3) to evaluate the natural incidence of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A. The ability of Aspergillus spp. and its teleomorphs isolated here to produce these toxins was also investigated. Samples (144) were collected at random from a factory in Brazil. The occurrence of Aspergillus and Eurotium species was demonstrated on DRBC and DG18 media and the production of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A and their natural incidence were determined by TLC and HPLC methods. A. flavus and E. chevalieri were the most prevalent species isolated. Fungal contamination was not found after the pelleting process, though Aspergillus and Eurotium species were recovered from trough samples. 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. Contact of feed with remainder poultry feed could lead to fungal contamination, so the risk of aflatoxin and/or ochratoxin A contamination of feed must be taken into account.

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Abbreviations

AF:

aflatoxin

DG18:

dichloran–18% glycerol agar

DRBC:

dichloran–rose bengal–chloramphenicol agar

HPLC:

high-pressure liquid chromatography

OTA:

ochratoxin A

TLC:

thin-layer chromatography

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunología Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Veterinária, Rio de Janeiro

    M. E. Fraga & C. A. da Rocha Rosa

  2. Departamento de Produção Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Zootecnia, Rio de Janeiro

    F. Curvello

  3. Departamento de Biologia, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

    M. J. Gatti

  4. Departamento de Microbiologia e Inmunología, Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto, Rio Cuarto, Argentina

    L. R. Cavaglieri & A. M. Dalcero

Authors
  1. M. E. Fraga
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  2. F. Curvello
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  3. M. J. Gatti
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  4. L. R. Cavaglieri
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  5. A. M. Dalcero
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  6. C. A. da Rocha Rosa
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. R. Cavaglieri.

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Fraga, M.E., Curvello, F., Gatti, M.J. et al. Potential Aflatoxin and Ochratoxin A Production by Aspergillus Species in Poultry Feed Processing. Vet Res Commun 31, 343–353 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-006-3434-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-006-3434-x

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