Contamination of poultry feeds with mycotoxin-producing fungi such as Aspergillus spp is a major threat to animal and human food. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence of aflatoxigenic strain of fungi in feeds, fed to birds in live-bird markets. Feed samples were collected from feeding troughs and feeder in cages of birds and were inoculated on Sabouraud dextrose agar and Czypeck dox agar. Of 300 feed samples, 283 yielded various fungal growth belonging to seven genera, four of them known to be mycotoxigenic. Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Mucor, Dermatophyte, Yeast, Fusarium and Penicillium, whose isolation frequencies were 78%, 6%, 5.67%, 2%, 2%, 0.33% and 0.33% respectively. The aflatoxin producing Aspergillus spp isolated were A. flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nomius 126 (42%), 27 (9%) and 3(1%) respectively. In conclusion A. flavus was the most frequently isolated, and it is a known aflatoxin producer. It is recommended that mycotoxin binders should be added to poultry feed to mitigate the effect of aflatoxin contamination of feed in live-bird market.
Aflatoxin are transferred from feed to animal products (Eggs, Meats and Milk). There is need to find alternative chemicals that is economically friendly to reduce the impact of aflatoxins. Probiotics additives especially Lactobacillus and Bacillus spp. biodegradation generally decreases aflatoxin residues in milk, egg and meat. They are low cost, economically friendly and accessible additives which could mitigate aflatoxin formation in feed and food. There is need for aggressive public health awareness on the implication of aflatoxin residues and as well as detoxification strategy that can reduce toxin absorption into animal feed.
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