ANALYSIS OF AFLATOXIN IN DUCK AND POULTRY FEED IN WEST BENGAL

Aflatoxin is a major metabolite of Aspergillus species which is liberated in feeds and feed stuff. The B1 component of aflatoxin is more mutagenic, hepatogenic and nephrotoxic to poultry. A total number of eighteen samples from different parts of West Bengal have been analyzed by Lateral Flow Immuno-Chromatographic Assay (LFICA) and followed by detection in HPLC in 2475 multi fluorescence detector system. The samples were tested for presence of total aflatoxin by LFICA which detected seven samples positive with a cut off level ≥ 4 ppb (55.56%), ten sample between 1-4 ppb (38.89%) and one sample negative (5.55%). The positive samples were further confirmed by HPLC system using C18 column (5 µm and 4.6x 150 mm in length), methanol: water as mobile phase (45:55) and standard for B1 prepared from 2 ppb- 1000 ppb. All seven samples showed presence of B1 in permissible limit ranging from 6.25 ppb to 12.50 ppb. Therefore, it was concluded that the presence of aflatoxin in the tested feeds are within permissible limit and regular detection and monitoring of aflatoxin in feed samples of all the farms may be an important control measure of aflatoxicosis in the poultry farms.