Análises micológicas e micotoxicológicas em rações de frangos de corte no município de São José do Vale do Rio Preto - RJ

Abstract

The intake of mycotoxin-contamined feeds may lead to nutrient losses and can have adverse effects on animal health and on productivity. The aims of this study were: 1) to determine the mycobiota present in poultry feed samples, obtained from three factories in the region of São José do Vale do Rio Preto, RJ, Brazil; 2) to evaluate the natural occurrence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), fumonisin B1 (FB1) and zearalenone using the method enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) competitive, commercial kits of Beacon Analytical Systems Inc, USA and 3) to verify the data results by the ELISA to AFB1 and FB1 comparing them with the high precision liquid chromatography methodology (HPLC) Fungal counts were similar between all culture media tested (103 CFU.g-1). Penicillium spp. (41,26%) was the most prevalent genus followed by Aspergillus spp. (33,33%) and Fusarium spp. (20,63%). Aflatoxin B1 was found in 66,27% samples examined by ELISA kits and values ranged between 2 and 21μg.kg-1. Fumonisin B1 was found in 97,87% and levels ranged between 0,3 and 9,1μg.g-1, cooccurring with aflatoxin B1 in 66,7% of the samples. Low concentrations of zearalenone were found (<1 μg.g-1) in 77,1% poultry feed samples. Correlation between the ELISA kits (AFB1 and FB1) and the HPLC analysis was obtained. Values were r2= 0,9922 and r2=0,9823, respectively. In general, the highest mycotoxin levels were found during the hottest month of sampling. The present study shows the simultaneous occurrence of two carcinogenic mycotoxins, aflatoxin B1 and fumonisin B1 together with another Fusarium mycotoxin (zearalenone) in feed intended for poultry consumption. Many samples contained AFB1 levels near the maximum permissible and it could affect young animals. A synergistic toxic response is possible in animals under simultaneous exposure.