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

The aim of the present study was to determine the mycobiota and natural levels of mycotoxins such as zearalenone, fumonisin B₁, aflatoxin B₁ and ochratoxin A present in raw materials and finished fattening pig feed. Samples were examined for total fungi and genera distribution. Zearalenone, FB₁, AFB₁ and OTA contamination were determined using high pressure liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatography. Milled maize and finished feed samples showed fungal contamination over than 1 × 10⁴ CFU/g. All samples contained at least one of the main mycotoxigenic genera Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium. A. flavus and F. verticillioides were the most prevalent species. Only some Aspergillus section Nigri strains from suckling pig to growing pig samples were able to produce OTA. A. flavus strains from milled maize, wheat bran, suckling pig to growing pig samples were able to produce AFB₁. All samples were positive for FB₁. Sucking pig, piglet, growing and boar feed samples showed ZEA natural contamination. AFB₁ and OTA contamination were not detected. There was a 100% correlation between FB₁ and ZEA contamination in sucking pig, piglet, growing and boar feed samples; 50% piglet samples and 67% suckling pig samples showed ZEA levels over the recommended limits. The present study has shown the occurrence of two mycotoxins, FB₁ and ZEA in feed intended for fattening pig consumption. In animal production, the simultaneous presence of toxicogenic fungi and low dietary levels of mycotoxins in field conditions can cause possible health impacts and lost performance in pigs from feeding spoiled feeds.     

Ochratoxin A in feed of food-producing animals: an undesirable mycotoxin with health and performance effects

Mycotoxins are secondary fungal metabolites, whose presence in feed- and foodstuffs is unavoidable. Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of the known mycotoxins with greatest public health and agro-economic significance. Several toxic effects have been ascribed following exposure, namely nephrotoxicity, as well negative impacts in the performance of farm animals, resulting in major economic implications. Of no less importance for the route of human exposure that can also embody the carry-over of OTA from feed into animal-derived products is also a concern. For all these reasons the present article updates the worldwide occurrence of OTA in different raw ingredients and finished feed destined to food-producing animals. After that a brief characterization of specie susceptibility and the major rationales is made. An historical overview of field outbreaks linked to OTA exposure in farm animals, concerning the implicated feeds, contamination levels and major clinical and productivity effects is presented. Finally a review of the major animal health and performance potential impacts of animals being reared on contaminated feed is made allied to a perspective regarding its co-occurrence with other mycotoxins, and simultaneous parasitic and bacterial infections. Ultimately, this article aims to be instructive and draw attention to a mycotoxin so often neglected and elapsed from the list of differential diagnosis in farm practice. For the unpredictability and unavoidability of occurrence, OTA will definitely be an enduring problem in animal production.     

2006~2007年中国饲料及饲料原料霉菌毒素污染调查报告

作者评估了2006年和2007年上半年我国饲料原料和全价饲料中6种主要霉菌毒素的检出水平和分布特点,得出如下结论：①我国饲料原料和全价饲料中超标率和检出水平最高的霉菌毒素是玉米赤霉烯酮、烟曲霉毒素和呕吐毒素（田间型毒素）。人们一直重视的黄曲霉毒素（仓储型毒素）超标率和检出水平均比较低;②饲料原料和全价饲料中多种霉菌毒素往往同时存在,由于不同毒素间具有协同作用,将加剧毒素的毒性作用和中毒症状的严重程度;③副产品原料,特别是玉米副产品如干燥酒糟（DDGS）和玉米蛋白粉中霉菌毒素的污染非常严重;④与单一能量和蛋白质饲料原料相比,全价饲料中的多种霉菌毒素的检出水平才是相对比较准确和客观的控制指标;⑤控制霉菌毒素危害的最经济有效的措施是控制原料质量和使用有效的霉菌毒素吸附剂。     

Occurrence of on-farm risk factors and health effects of mycotoxins in dairy farms in Jordan

The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of on-farm risk factors and health effects associated with contamination of dairy feeds with aflatoxins (AFs), zearalenone (ZEN), trichothecenes (T-2), deoxynivalenol (DON), and fumonisins (FB) in Jordan. A pre-tested and validated questionnaire was used to determine on-farm practices and health effects associated with high levels of mycotoxins. A total of 88 feed samples were collected from the 37 farms participating in the study and analyzed using commercially available ELISA kits. The mean total AF concentration exceeded the European Union (EU) limit in alfalfa (4%) and total mixed ration (TMR) (3%) samples. Similarly, levels exceeding EU limits were observed for T-2 in alfalfa (29%), TMR (30%), and corn silage (4%). The average concentrations of ZEN and FB were 300 ppb and 11,638 ppb, respectively, which were below the EU maximum limits in all feed samples examined. Intensive management system (OR?=?7.70), imported feed (OR?=?3.40), feed storage on the farm for more than 1-month duration (OR?=?7.90), and not using antitoxins (OR?=?2.30) were significantly (P?<?0.05) associated with high levels of mycotoxins in feed samples. A significant correlation (P?<?0.05) was evident between the presence of mycotoxins in dairy feed and feed refusal (R?=?0.70), low milk production (R?=?0.50), diarrhea problems (R?=?0.60), infertility (R?=?0.50), and repeated breeder problems (R?=?0.80). Results show that mycotoxin contamination in dairy feeds is a problem in Jordan, and appropriate measures need to be undertaken to reduce risks to human and animal health and improve production.

     

Mycotoxins. Contemporary issues of food animal health and productivity.

Modern agriculture and production animal medicine require attention to high-quality feeds that are free from mycotoxin contamination that can cause economically important decreases in productivity. Maintaining current information about effects of mycotoxins on feed intake and growth, reproductive efficiency, and possible immunosuppression aid in effective consultation with livestock producers. Investigation and determination of potential production losses related to mycotoxins should use historical, clinical, laboratory, and experimental information to objectively evaluate whether mycotoxin contamination is clinically relevant. The practicing veterinarian or veterinary consultant can provide valuable clinical and interpretive assistance to producers who may have a real or potential mycotoxin contamination. Thorough diagnostic evaluation of animals, appropriate testing of feeds and forages, and rational consideration of differential diagnoses help to put mycotoxins in the proper perspective as a production-related management problem.     

Potential Aflatoxin and Ochratoxin A Production by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus</Emphasis> Species in Poultry Feed Processing

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.     

Ochratoxin a contamination of cereal grains and coffee in Hungary in the year 2001

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a nephrotoxic and carcinogenic mycotoxin, a secondary metabolite produced by mould fungi belonging to several Aspergillus and Penicillium species. It is formed during the storage of cereal grains and other plant-derived products. OTA ingested by humans and animals with the food or feed may exert deleterious effects on health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ochratoxin contamination of the most important potential sources of OTA. The OTA content of cereal samples for human consumption (36 baking wheat, 16 wheat flour and 6 maize coarse meal samples) and feed grain samples (30 feeding wheat, 32 feeding maize and 20 feeding barley samples) collected in the mid-phase or at the end of the storage period and of 50 commercial coffee samples was determined. The analyses were performed by immunoaffinity column--high-performance liquid chromatography (IAC-HPLC). The limit of detection of the method was 0.1 ng/g. Of the wheat samples intended for human consumption, 8.3% contained OTA at 0.29 ng/g on the average (OTA ranges: 0.12-0.5 ng/g; Table 2). The OTA contamination of wheat flour and maize meal samples for human consumption was similar to that of the baking wheat samples. OTA contamination was found in 26.7% of the feeding wheat, 15.6% of the feeding maize and 35% of the feeding barley samples. The average values and the ranges of OTA levels found in the above samples were 12.2 and 0.3-62.8 ng/g, 4.9 and 1.9-8.3 ng/g, and 72 and 0.14-212 ng/g, respectively (Table 3). Sixty-six percent of the coffee samples were contaminated with OA (average level: 0.57 ng/g, ranges: 0.17-1.3 ng/g; Table 4). OTA contamination of baking wheat samples was found to be relatively low, presumably as a result of the favourable weather at harvest and the optimal storage conditions. Calculations made on the basis of the obtained results show that the daily OTA intake of an adult human from edible cereals is only 6.7 ng, while the amount taken up with coffee is 4.1 ng daily. The high prevalence and high levels of OTA contamination in feed grains can be explained by the unfavourable storage conditions, and this finding suggests that OA-related health problems may arise in animals, and that foods of animal origin may be contaminated with this mycotoxin.     

Occurrence of mycotoxins in feed ingredients and complete feeds obtained from the Beijing region of China

Background

The current study was carried out to provide a reference for the control of mycotoxin contamination in feed ingredients and complete feeds for swine.

Methods

A total of 55 feed ingredients, including 14 corn, 13 wheat bran, 11 soybean meal and 17 dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) as well as 76 complete swine feeds including 7 creep feeds, 14 starter feeds, 14 grower feeds, 18 grower-finisher feeds, 10 gestating sow feeds, and 13 lactating sow feeds were randomly collected from 15 swine farms located in the Beijing region of China from July to August 2011. Immunoaffinity clean-up, using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) in combination with UV or Fluorescence Detection, was used for quantitative analysis of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in the ingredients and complete feeds.

Results

DON and ZEA were the most prevalent mycotoxins found. DON was detected at percentages of 93, 92, 54, 100 and 97% with a mean level of 1.01, 0.44, 0.05, 1.36 and 0.65 ppm in the samples of corn, wheat bran, soybean meal, DDGS and complete feeds, respectively. The detected percentages of ZEA were 100, 100, 54, 100 and 100 with mean levels of 109.1, 14.9, 9.2, 882.7 and 58.9 ppb in the same samples. In the wheat bran and soybean meal samples, the content of all four mycotoxins were below the maximum limits set by Chinese regulations while the percentage of samples that exceeded regulatory limits were 7, 57 and 7% for corn, and 7, 14 and 3% for the complete feeds for AFB₁, DON and OTA respectively. DDGS showed the most serious mycotoxin contamination and the percentage of samples that exceeded regulatory limits were 6, 88 and 41%, for AFB₁, DON and ZEA, respectively.

Conclusions

This paper is the first to present data on the natural occurrence of AFB₁, DON, ZEA and OTA in ingredients and complete feeds obtained from swine farms in China’s Beijing region. The data shows that feed ingredients and complete swine feeds obtained from these farms are most often contaminated with DON followed by contamination with AFB₁ and ZEA.     

Simultaneous detection of multiple mycotoxins in broiler feeds using a liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry

Mycotoxins are secondary fungal metabolites that are typically present in grain and feed ingredients used for animal feeds. An analytical method using LC-ESI-MS/MS was developed to quantify nine mycotoxins, consisting of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), AFB₂, AFG₁, AFG₂, T-2 toxin, deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), zearalenone (ZEA) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in broiler feeds. In total, 100 samples of broiler feeds were collected from poultry farms in Central Thailand. The survey found that AFB₁ and ZEA were the most prevalent mycotoxins in the feed samples at percentages of 93% and 63%, respectively. The limit of detections (LODs) of investigated mycotoxins was 0.20–0.78 ng/g. AFB₂, DON, AFG₁, NIV and T-2 toxin were also detectable at low contamination levels with percentages of 20%, 9%, 7%, 5% and 1%, respectively, whereas OTA and AFG₂ were not detected in any of the feed samples. These results suggest that there is a very low level of risk of the exposure to mycotoxins in feeds obtained from broiler farms in Central Thailand.     

霉菌毒素对畜禽的危害及削减方法研究进展

霉菌毒素是由不同种属真菌产生的次级代谢物,其对多种动物（包括人在内）具有显著毒性效果,如降低畜禽生产性能、损害脏器功能、影响机体免疫功能、造成细胞和DNA氧化损伤,甚至导致动物死亡等。饲料及其原料霉菌毒素污染是一个广泛的、全球性的问题,既可在作物田间生长时产生,也可在仓储期间产生,给畜禽养殖业造成了巨大的经济损失,防控霉菌生长及去除饲料中霉菌毒素已成为国内外研究的热点。实际上,不同霉菌毒素对不同动物的损害具有差异性,而在畜禽养殖过程中添加适当物质（如蒙脱石和酶制剂等）可有效抑制霉菌毒素活性,缓解霉菌毒素的毒性。作者详细论述了玉米赤霉烯酮、烟曲霉毒素、呕吐毒素、T-2毒素、黄曲霉毒素和烟曲霉毒素对畜禽的危害,并从物理、化学、生物角度介绍了削减饲料及其原料中霉菌毒素的方法,旨在为合理有效防控霉菌毒素毒害及保障畜禽健康养殖提供参考。     

The role of bentonite binders in single or concomitant mycotoxin contamination of chicken diets

1. Concomitant presence of mycotoxins is more likely to appear than a single mycotoxicosis since many mycotoxigenic fungi grow and produce their toxic metabolites under similar conditions.

2. The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of 4 mycotoxin binders to protect meat-type chickens against single and concomitant administration in the feed of two mycotoxins, namely aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) both at concentration of 0.1 mg/kg.

3. A total of 440 as hatched, d-old, Ross 308 broilers were reared for 42 d. There were 11 dietary treatments. Chickens were fed on either an uncontaminated basal diet, basal diet and AFB1, basal with concomitant presence of AFB1 and OTA, basal diet and three binders A, B and C (1%) with or without AFB1 or basal diet and binder D (0.5%) with or without concomitant presence of AFB1 and OTA. Performance, carcass yield and several biochemical parameters were examined.

4. Mycotoxin concentration in liver and breast muscle samples was determined. Broiler performance under concomitant mycotoxin contamination was poorer than that under single mycotoxicosis. Mycotoxin presence increased relative heart weight compared to that of broilers fed on uncontaminated diets. Only OTA and not AFB1 was detected and only in the liver. OTA concentration was four-fold lower in broilers fed on a diet with binder compared to those fed on contaminated diets without binder.

5. In conclusion, the study revealed that binder composition and presence or not of multiple toxins may be important factors for optimum broiler performance under mycotoxicosis.

     

青海省部分地区猪饲料中霉菌毒素污染情况调查分析

为了解青海省部分地区猪饲料中霉菌毒素的污染情况,应用ELISA方法对2012年采集的青海省部分地区205份猪饲料样品进行了赭曲霉毒素A （OTA）、黄曲霉毒素B1（AFB1）、呕吐毒素（DON）、玉米赤霉烯酮（ZON）的检测与分析.结果表明.156份商品化饲料中,OTA、AFB1、DON、ZON阳性率分别为7.05％、16.03％、83.33％和69.87％,49份自制饲料中,OTA、AFB1、DON、ZON阳性率分别为6.12％、28.57％、85.71％和73.4％;156份商品化饲料中,总单污率为11.54％,总混污率为79.49％,在49份自制饲料中,总单污率为8.16％,总混污率为91.84％;试验显示,青海省部分地区饲料中存在霉菌毒素的污染,且混合污染现象严重,同时自制饲料的污染程度较商品化饲料高.     

Occurrence of mycotoxins in Polish animal feed in years 2006-2009

We performed a 4‐year survey (2006–2009, 1255 samples) of fungal secondary metabolites in feed material (cereal and corn grains) and feedstuffs (silages, mixed feeds). Five major mycotoxin groups were studied, including aflatoxins (AF), ochratoxin A (OTA), trichothecenes [deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), T‐2 toxin, HT‐2 toxin], zearalenone (ZEA) and fumonisins (FUM). The metabolites were identified using HPLC methods with fluorescent, UV and MS/MS detection. Both immunoaffinity and SPE columns were used for sample preparation. In eleven samples, the concentration of several mycotoxins exceeded the recommended guidelines for feedstuffs. DON was detected at the highest concentration in the majority of analysed samples (cereal grains, silages and mixed feeds, maximum values ranged from 409 to 14 470 ng/g). Corn grains also contained other Fusarium toxins (FUM) at maximum levels ranging from 435 to 9409 ng/g. The highest average_positive concentration of the other trichothecenes (NIV, T‐2 and HT‐2 toxins) was <5.0–139 ng/g. ZEA was found at the highest concentration in corn grains and silages (maximum values ranging from 292 to 603 ng/g and 116 to 1150 ng/g, respectively). The highest average_positive concentration and the maximum level of OTA were detected in cereal grains (33.0 ng/g in 2009 and 760 ng/g in 2007, respectively). Less than 7% of the 557 samples were contaminated with AF at low levels (maximum of 0.61 ng/g). Our results support the need for further monitoring of mycotoxins in Polish feedstuffs and their components.     

中国青贮玉米中霉菌毒素的污染情况分析与动物健康风险评估

为了探明中国青贮玉米霉菌毒素的污染状况,评价霉菌毒素对动物健康的风险隐患,分别在东北地区(黑龙江)、西北地区(内蒙古、山西)、黄淮海地区(河南、河北)、华中地区(江苏)、西南地区(贵州、四川)和西藏地区9省(自治区)28县主要生产基地采集全株玉米(90份)和青贮玉米样品(161份),共计251份,基于固相分散萃取-液相色谱串联质谱法,测定样品中黄曲霉毒素(AFs)、呕吐毒素(DON)、伏马毒素(FB)、玉米赤霉烯酮(ZEN)等12种霉菌毒素含量,并利用暴露评估进行动物健康风险评估。结果表明:①参照中国饲料卫生标准,测定样品ZEN超标率为1.19%。当青贮玉米作为泌乳期奶牛饲粮的主要粗饲料时,参照美国食品药品监督管理局(FDA)和欧洲食品安全局(EC)饲料安全标准,FB(FDA)和AFs(EC)的超标率分别为23.90%和13.94%。②全株玉米在青贮前和青贮后,霉菌毒素含量变化差异不显著(P>0.05)。③在黄淮海、华中和西南地区,青贮玉米霉菌毒素检出种类和含量相对较高,而在西藏地区含量相对较低。④当动物食用被霉菌毒素污染的青贮玉米时,动物的健康风险排序为:羔羊>犊牛>奶牛;在羔羊中,霉菌毒素的风险排序为:AFs>ZEN>DON>FB。综上所述,中国青贮玉米中霉菌毒素的超标率较低,污染情况相对严重的地区是黄淮海、华中和西南地区。在这些地区,如果青贮玉米作为泌乳期奶牛饲粮中主要粗饲料时,AFs和FB的超标风险较高;如果青贮玉米作为羔羊和犊牛饲粮中主要粗饲料时,AFs污染可能引起动物健康风险。     

Food safety implications of ochratoxin A in animal-derived food products

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is an important mycotoxin with potential to reach the human food chain through carry-over of contaminated, mostly cereal-based, feed into animal-derived products. Certain population groups, such as infants and children, are intensive and relatively restricted consumers of some animal-derived products, particularly milk and other dairy products, which may become contaminated with OTA. This review examines the literature on the occurrence of OTA in animal-derived products and discusses the public health and food safety implications of consumption of these products. The risk of OTA contamination of meat, milk, blood and derived products is discussed.     

The occurrence of mycotoxins in cereals and animal feed-stuffs

During the period 1976–1979, just over 4000 samples of animal feedstuffs comprising cereals, compound feeds, hay and silage were examined for moulds and mycotoxins. Examination was carried out in the course of routine advisory and investigational work undertaken by the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) Microbiology Laboratories in England and Wales in connection with livestock health and production problems and defects in grain storage. Mouldy cereals, mostly invaded byPenicillium andAspergillus species, were often found contaminated with ochratoxin A (12.8% positive) and also with citrinin, sterigmatocystin and zearalenone to a lesser extent. Aflatoxin B1 was detected in barley which had been inadequately treated with propionic acid in 3 instances.Commerically-produced compound feedstuffs and protein concentrates were found to contain aflatoxin B1 at levels ranging from less than 10 to 750 g/kg due to the inclusion of contaminated constituents such as ground-nut, palm kernels, cottonseed and copra. There was no evidence that any significant spoilage byAspergillus flavus in compound feedstuffs after manufacture had led to the formation of aflatoxin.Mould spoilage of hay, as indicated by mould counts exceeding 100,000 per g, was common withAspergillus glaucus andPenicillium spp. frequently present, though mycotoxins were not detected, with the exception of sterigmatocystin in just one sample. Silage which had been exposed to air was frequently colonised byPaecilomyces species, giving rise to the formation of patulin in several samples. Despite the frequent detection of mycotoxins in animal feedingstuffs, there was rarely any conclusive evidence implicating them in causing impaired performance or disease in animals.     

2020年底各地新玉米霉菌毒素风险分析

为了解呕吐毒素（DON）、玉米赤霉烯酮（ZEN）和黄曲霉毒素B1（AFB1）在2020年底新玉米中的污染情况,指导饲料生产企业和养殖场（户）开展霉菌毒素防控,降低霉菌毒素对饲料质量安全及养殖动物的影响,避免经济受损的风险。2020年12月在市场上采集新玉米样本225份,采用胶体金免疫层析法或上转发光免疫分析法对其霉菌毒素污染情况进行检测,依据安佑集团相关企业标准标和GB 13078-2017《饲料卫生标准》进行判定分析。结果表明：新玉米中霉菌毒素检出率为96.0%,其中DON、ZEN和AFB1的检出率分别为85.8%、87.1%和86.7%|DON、ZEN和AFB1在新玉米中的污染状况差别较大,按《饲料卫生标准》判定的超标率分别为0.0%、0.4%和11.6%|最大检测值分别为2500、534 μg/kg和＞100 μg/kg。就产地而言,山西、内蒙古、东北、安徽、山东、河南、云南、陕西等地霉菌毒素污染较重。综上,与2019年及2020年玉米霉菌毒素污染调查数据相比,2020年底新玉米污染程度较重。 [关键词] 玉米|霉菌毒素|胶体金免疫层析法|上转发光免疫分析法|污染规律     

Mycotoxins: Their implications for human and animal health

Abstract

Mycotoxins contaminate various feed and food commodities, due to the global occurrence of toxinogenic molds. They exert adverse health effects in human and animals. The nature of these toxic effects varies depending on the chemical structure of the toxin. The degree of these adverse effects is not only determined by the toxin concentration present in foods and feeds, but also by the time of exposure. Whilst in animals, next to acute intoxication, losses in productivity, reduced weight gain and immunosuppression are considered as most important feature of mycotoxicoses, genotoxic effects and the involvement of certain mycotoxins such as aflatoxin, ochratoxins and fumonisins in the etiology of human cancers have obtained particular attention. This implies that recent research activities concentrate on mechanistic aspects of mycotoxin‐ induced pathologies, rather than compiling analytical measures of mycotoxin concentrations in food and feeds.     

Mycotoxins in fungal contaminated samples of animal feed from western Canada, 1982-1994.

Feed samples from 94 cases involving fungal contamination and suspected mycotoxicosis of farm animals in western Canada were examined during 1982-1994 to assess the incidence of mycotoxins. Samples were analyzed for aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, citrinin, sterigmatocystin, and the fungal estrogen zearalenone. Samples infected with Fusarium fungi were additionally assayed for nivalenol, deoxynivalenol, fusarenone-x, 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, diacetoxyscirpenol, HT-2 toxin, and T-2 toxin. Mycotoxins were found in 21 feed samples from 17 cases (18% of the reported cases), generally at levels far below those needed to induce symptoms under laboratory conditions. HT-2 toxin and other type-A trichothecenes were detected in 5 samples, deoxynivalenol and other type-B trichothecenes in 13, ochratoxin A in 5, and citrinin in 2. In 9 cases, symptoms observed in the animals were consistent with the known effects of the mycotoxin(s) found in the particular feed samples.     

Mycoflora of poultry feeds and ochratoxin-producing ability of isolated Aspergillus and Penicillium species

In Brazil, commercial feedstuffs are an important component in modern animal husbandry, but there is no information available about fungal contamination and ochratoxin A (OTA) production. The aims of this study were to determine the mycoflora incidence in poultry feeds and evaluate OTA production. In addition, the ability to produce OTA by several Aspergillus and Penicillium species was investigated. A total of 96 samples of poultry feeds were collected from four factories in Rio de Janeiro. Samples were examined for total moulds, for Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. occurrence and for their relative densities on dichloran rose bengal chloramphenicol and dichloran 18% glycerol media. The capacity to produce ochratoxin A by selected Aspergillus and Penicillium species was determined by HPLC. Total mould counts were generally higher than 1 x 10(5 )CFU ml(-1). Aspergillus and Penicillium species were isolated in the highest numbers. Aspergillus flovus and Penicillium citrinum were the most prevalent species. There was a high percentage of potential OTA producers (46%). The amount of OTA produced on this substrate was enough to cause adverse effects in animals. Several strains isolated from poultry feeds were able to produce high levels of OTA on chloramphenicol yeast medium. OTA in raw materials needs to be surveyed and storage practices must be investigated to determine occurrence and establish the livestock toxicological risk in poultry feed.