Frequency distribution of mycotoxigenic fungal contamination in maize based dairy and poultry feeds

Abstract

Contamination of dairy and poultry feeds with mycotoxigenic fungi is a major threat to animal and human health. In Karnataka there is rather little information about the natural occurrence of mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxins in feed stuffs. This study was conducted to determine the incidence of mycotoxigenic fungi especially Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium spp. in maize based dairy and poultry feeds. A total of 48 feed samples consisting 24 each of dairy feeds and poultry feeds were collected in major dairy and poultry farming districts of Karnataka. The feed samples were collected in a moisture free bag with proper labelling and the collected feed samples were inoculated to the Petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar to determine the mycoflora present in the feed. Majorly five fungi genera were isolated and identified as, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Rhizopus and Trichoderma, with their isolation frequencies of 20.83, 14.58, 10.41, 12.5 and 10.41 per cent, respectively. Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium spp. were most frequently associated with feeds among the leading mycotoxigenic fungi. Hence the present study reveals the significance of mycotoxins production in veterinary and public health as well as attending its economic losses.