The aim of this study is to determine the level of contamination of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in raw and imported powdered milk in Khartoum state, Sudan. Thirty-five samples of fresh cow milk were collected from different farms, based on the source of concentrated feed introduced to the dairy cows (locally vs. commercially produced) and the size of the farm (≤ 50 vs. >50 cows/farm). Also 12 samples of powdered milk were obtained from repacking companies in Khartoum state. The samples were analysed by a fluorometer, using the Vicam method. AFM1 was detected in all raw and powdered milk samples. Almost 50% of the contaminated powdered milk samples and all the raw milk samples exceeded the European Union limit of 0.05 µg/kg whereas 33% of the contaminated powdered milk samples and 77% of the raw milk samples exceeded the limit of Codex regulations (0.5 µg/kg). The results revealed that the concentration of AFM1 is affected significantly (P < 0.05) by the source of concentrated feed (locally produced or purchased) but not by the farm size. It was concluded that the levels of AFM1 in the milk samples indicated that the feeds offered to the cows were contaminated with aflatoxin B1 to such a level that it might cause a serious health problem to the public. Therefore, there is a need to limit the exposure to aflatoxin by imposing regulatory limits, as well as further studies on large scale bases are needed to investigate the amount of AFM1 in milk and dairy products.
Aflatoxin M 1 contamination of milk in Pakistan, like many developing countries, is poorly understood. The present study was therefore conducted to determine AFM 1 contamination of milk and its contributory factors in Pakistan. We sampled milk and feedstuffs from 450 peri-urban dairy farms in seven major cities following a cross-sectional study design. Analysis of milk using ELISA revealed high contamination with an overall average of 3164.5 ng of AFM 1 /L, and significant differences (p < 0.001) between cities. The milk sampled from Gilgit, in northern hilly areas, had an average AFM 1 level of 92.5 ng/L. Milk from other cities had 3529.7 ng/L average contamination, with only 5.7% samples qualifying the maximum tolerable limit of 500 ng of AFM 1 /L. Heavy mean aflatoxin contamination was found in bakery waste (724.6 μg/kg), and cottonseed cake (600.8 μg/kg). Rest of the other feedstuffs had moderate to low mean aflatoxin contamination, ranging from 66.0 μg/kg in maize stover to 3.4 μg/kg in wheat bran. The mean aflatoxin level in commercial dairy concentrates was 32.7 µg/kg. About 80% of the total aflatoxin intake of dairy animals was contributed by cottonseed cake alone due to its high aflatoxin contamination and proportion in dairy rations. On-farm storage time of oilseed cakes varied (p < 0.01) in different cities but was not associated with aflatoxin contamination. The exceptionally high AFM 1 contamination suggests that milk from peri-urban dairy farms is a serious public health threat in Pakistan. This situation can be mitigated by reducing aflatoxin contamination in cottonseed cake and promoting the use of commercial concentrates and other feedstuffs with low contamination.
High input feeding system results in better growth performance in goats as compared to low input feeding system. Traditionally goats are reared under low input system while to see the effectiveness of high input feeding system, current project was planned to study the growth performance and carcass quality among various classes of Beetal breed. Total 16 Beetal kids (12 male + 4 female) were selected considering 120 (±10) days average age and weight ranging 16 (±2) kg for male and 14(±2) kg for female. The kids from various classes were divided into four treatment groups designated as S1 (Entire male or not castrated), S2 (castrated at 4 mo), S3 (castrated at 6 mo) and S4 (female). Animals were castrated during pre-fattening period and managed under same conditions before fattening. The duration of the study was 120 days (60 days pre-fattening + 60 day fattening). Total 12 animals (randomly 3 from each treatment group) were slaughtered at the end of study for detail carcass quality evaluation. The average daily gain (ADG) was significantly affected (P<0.001) by the treatments. There was higher ADG noticed in S3 group (93.75 gm/d) as compared to S1 (90.42 gm/d), S4 (63.89 gm/d) and S2 (33.75 gm/d). Average daily feed intake was significantly (P<0.05) highest in S3 (878.00 gm/d). The serum cholesterol and serum glucose were also affected (P<0.05) by the treatments. There was non-significant (P>0.05) effect of treatments on the sensory panel score about color, chewability, flavor, tenderness and overall acceptability of the cooked meat. It is concluded that sex and castration affected the growth in kids while the carcass traits were not affected. The age of castration need consideration in Beetal kids because castration at early age adversely affected the growth of kids in this study.
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