No abstract

No abstract

SummaryThe effect of gamma-irradiation and the antimicrobial food additives on growth and aflatoxin B, production by A . fluuus NRRL 5520 in poultry diet was investigated. By increasing the irradiation doses the viable population as well as aflatoxin B, production decreased greatly. No growth and no detection of aflatoxin production occurred in poultry diet after treatment with 6 kGy. The addition of the antimicrobial food additives resulted in a significant decrease in aflatoxin B,. Growth and toxin production was completely inhibited by 0.64% sodium propionate, 0.134% potassium sorbate and 0.1 % sodium bisulfite. The combination treatments between gamma-irradiation (3 kGy) and sodium propionate (0.48%), potassium sorbate (0.022% and 0.044%) and sodium bisulfite (0.0334% and 0.0667%) inhibited, completely the fungal growth and aflatoxin B, production. At 5 kGy, no growth was recorded and aflatoxin B, production was completely inhibited at all tested levels of priopionate, sorbate and bisulfite. The combined effects between gamma-irradiation and the antimicrobial agents had a synergistic effect on the mould growth and aflatoxin production in poultry diet.