Journal of Animal Health and Production

Research Article
J. Anim. Health Prod. 9(4): 435-442
Http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.jahp/2021/9.4.435.442
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Khadija Summia1, Roheela Yasmeen1*, Naseem Zahra2

1Department of Biology, Lahore Garrison University, Lahore, Pakistan; 2Food and Biotechnology Research Centre, PCSIR, Laboratories Complex, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan.

Abstract | Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi results in contamination of food, cause diseases so has major impact on animals and human health. While aflatoxins are type of poisonous mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus species. Present study was conducted to see levels of aflatoxins that are present in poultry feed. A total of 50 feed samples from layer and broiler farms were collected from five different cities of Punjab such as Lahore, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura and Kasur. Ten samples were collected from each city. Upon quantification by Thin Liquid Chromatography (TLC) method the contamination was detected in 24 samples out of which 11 (22%) were contaminated beyond the permissible range and 13 (26%) were contaminated within the permissible range. Positive samples were run for the assessment of all different types of aflatoxins such as B1, B2, G1 and G2. However, only aflatoxin B1 was detected in the positive samples. The highest percentage of contaminated samples were collected from Kasur city and broiler feed samples were found more contaminated (p<0.05) as compared to layer feed samples when statistically analyzed by independent sample T test. Different detoxification methods such as physical and chemical methods were also compared. The most effective physical method of detoxification was noticed heating upto 250 ℃ for 10 minutes as it reduce aflatoxin concentration up to 58%. While, in the chemical methods the Hydrochloric acid was a highly effective chemical for detoxification as it reduced aflatoxin level up to 58.4% only with its 0.5 % concentration. Other chemicals were also effective but they were required in higher concentrations to show their efficacy which can affect the nutritive value of the feed samples. It was concluded by the study that broiler feed samples collected from Kasur were more contaminated that may be due to poor storage conditions of feed. It is recommended that improvement in storage conditions and regular monitoring is required by feed authorities so that contamination of aflatoxins can be reduced.

Keywords | Aflatoxins, Detoxification, Laying hen, Broiler, Contamination