Detection of Aflatoxigenic Fungi in Poultry Feed

Mycotoxins are poisonous biomolecules produced as secondary metabolites by some fungal species, as they grow on various substrates under suitable growth conditions. Approximately, 83% of these deaths occur in East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. It has been estimated that more than five billion people in developing countries are at risk of chronic exposure to aflatoxins, through contaminated foods/feeds Several studies of revealed that A. flavus and A. parasiticus are of significant concern in poultry contamination, being the most common producers of aflatoxins. In the current study, a total of 120 samples of poultry feeds were collected from different localities of Beni-Suef Governorate. The samples were examined for the existence of Aspergillus species. Moreover, the capacity to produce aflatoxins by the Aspergillus flavus was determined. The results revealed that the most predominant Aspergillus isolates was A. flavus (n= 75; 62.5%) followed by A. niger (n= 31; 25.9%) and A. fumigatus (n= 19; 15.8%). Out of 75 A. flavus isolates, 43 strains (57.3%) produced aflatoxins. These results concluded the potential exists for the production of mycotoxins by the Aspergillus flavus. The present study was designed to investigate the existence of Aspergillus species in poultry feed as well as determining the capacity of Aspergillus flavus isolates to produce aflatoxins.