MYCOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF POULTRY FEED STUFF WITH SPECIAl REFERENCE TO MYCOTOXIN PRODUCTION

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine the relation between aflatoxin and ochratoxin contamination of poultry feed and feed ingredients and the effect of this on economic state as well as health of bird. For such purpose, the following points were investigated: 1. Mycological examination of 77 samples of feed and feed ingredients for Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus ochraceus contamination. The results revealed that 30 isolates of A flavus were recovered from tested samples while 15 isolates of A. ochraceus were recovered from the same tested samples. 2. Identification of the isolated strains of Aspergillus ochraceus and Aspergillus flavus was done by studying:

• The colony characteristics on both Sabouraud's dextrose agar and potato agar media. • The microscopical characteristics by slide preparation and examination from each isolate. 3. Mycological examination of tested samples, and the results also revealed other fungi spp. 11 isolates of Aspergillus niger, 26 1 isolates of Penicillium spp., 33 isolates of Fusarium spp., 20 isolates of Mucor, 3 isolates of Alternaria spp. and 4 isolates of yeast and only one isolate of Aspergillus candidus. 4. Qualitative and quantitative determination of aflatoxin and ochratoxin using affinity column chromatography (Aflatest™, ochratest) and fluorometer ViCAM V series 4. • 59 samples of feed and feed ingredients were tested for aflatoxin •. contamination.