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

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.

Mycobiota and mycotoxins contamination in raw materials and finished feed intended for fattening pigs production in eastern Argentina

“…These results agree with those obtained by Rosa et al (2006) and Fraga et al (2007) who reported high percentages of A. flavus in poultry feed. Other studies from Argentina found Aspergillus section Flavi species and F. verticillioides as prevalent, followed by A. niger aggregate from poultry to pig feed (Gonzalez Pereyra et al 2008;Magnoli et al 1998).…”

Occurrence of Ochratoxin A in Brazilian cocoa beans

“…The genera most commonly associated with toxin production, which occur naturally, are Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium (Fraga, Curvello, Gatti, Cavaglieri, & Dalcero, 2007;Kawashima, Vieira, & Soares, 2007;Paterson, Venâncio, & Lima, 2004). Ochratoxin has received more attention because, besides being suspected of causing cancer of the urinary tract and damage to kidneys (Pittet, 2001), it can be found in several foods such as coffee, cereals, wines, grapes for wine production, red paprika, dry fruits, beer and poultry feed processing (Almela et al, 2007;Burdaspal & Legarda, 1998;Chiodini, Scherpenisse, & Bergwerff, 2006;De Moraes & Luchese, 2003;Drusch & Ragab, 2003;Joosten, Goetz, Pittet, Schellenberg, & Bucheli, 2001;Palermo, Pietrobono, Palermo, & Rotunno, 2002;Serra, Mendonça, & Venâncio, 2006;Zimmerli & Dick, 1996).…”

Aspergillus and Ochratoxin A in Latin America

“…In studies performed in Brazil, A. niger, A. sydowii, A. versicolor, A. ochraceus, A. melleus, A. alutaceus, and A. carbonarius species were isolated of corn and poultry feeds. A. ochraceus showed higher ability to produced OTA than other species isolated (Fraga et al 2007;Rosa et al 2006Rosa et al , 2009.…”

“…The mean levels detected ranged from 15 to 25 ng/g from three feeds. Fraga et al (2007) and Rosa et al (2006) detected that 100 % poultry corn-based feed samples were contaminated with OTA with levels from 17 to 197 ng/g and from 1.30 to 80 ng/g, respectively. Rosa et al (2009) observed on swine corn-based feeds that 44 % were positive for OTA contamination with levels between 42 and 224 ng/g.…”