Monitoring of Aflatoxins in Captive Avifauna Feed in Summer and Monsoon Seasons
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15520822Keywords:
Aflatoxins, Thin Liquid Chromatography, Summer, MonsoonAbstract
Aflatoxins are the most common types of mycotoxins that are further categorized as AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2. They are toxic metabolites and produced by fungi, mostly Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. In the present research aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 were monitored in the feed of captive birds. A total of 40 feed samples were collected in summer and monsoon season from Lahore Zoo from cages of ten bird species such as Ostrich (Struthio camelus), Black Swans (Cygnu satratus), Green pheasant (Phasianus versicolor), Silver Pheasant (Lophurany cthemera), Crane Bird (Grus virgo), Chukar (Alectoris chukar), Red-Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus), Finches (Fringillidae), Alaxandrine parakeet (Psitta culaeupatria), and Tukey Bird (Meleagris). The Thin Liquid Chromatography (TLC) method was used to detect and estimate the level of aflatoxins. Upon quantification out of 40 samples 21 were contaminated and of them 17 were within permissible range while 4 were contaminated beyond the permissible range. The tolerant range of limit of aflatoxins in avifauna feed on daily basis was 10 µg/kg according to EU (2010). AFB1 was detected in 21 samples whereas B2, G1 and G2 were not detected in any sample. The overall percentage of contaminated feed samples was less in summer (35%) as compared to monsoon season (65%). Statistical analysis such as independent sample t test was done by using SPSS version 22 and significant differences (<0.05) were noticed in aflatoxins levels in summer and monsoon season. However, there were non-significant differences that were noticed among the feed samples of different birds by ANOVA. It was concluded that the storage condition of feed samples was found better in Lahore Zoo. However, in the monsoon season there is need of special care by feed regulating authorities of the Zoo so that spread of aflatoxins can be reduced.
References
Abdou, K., Hassan, A., Hassan, N., Houda, R. (2017). Seasonal variation in prevalence of mycotoxins in feed and feedstuffs at Beni-Suef governorate in Egypt. Eur J Acad Essays, 4(4), 99-109.
Agriopoulou, S., Stamatelopoulou, E., Varzakas, T. (2020). Advances in analysis and detection of major mycotoxins in foods. Foods, 9(4), 518.
Arné, P., Risco-Castillo, V., Jouvion, G., Le Barzic, C., Guillot, J. (2021). Aspergillosis in wild birds. Journal of fungi, 7(3), 241.
Chowdhury, S., Manna, S., Maity, B. (2018). Analysis of aflatoxin in duck and poultry feed in West Bengal. Explor. Anim. Med. Res., 8, 197-201.
Diaz, G. J., Cortes, A., Botero, L. (2009). Evaluation of the ability of a feed additive to ameliorate the adverse effects of aflatoxins in turkey poults. British poultry science, 50(2), 240-250.
Dutta, T. K., Das, P. (2001). Isolation of aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus and detection of aflatoxin B 1 from feeds in India. Mycopathologia, 151, 29-33.
Faria, C. B., Almeida-Ferreira, G. C., Gagliardi, K. B., Alves, T. C. A., Tessmann, D. J., Machinski Junior, M., Barbosa-Tessmann, I. P. (2012). Use of the polymerase chain reaction for detection of Fusarium graminearum in bulgur wheat. Food Science and Technology, 32, 201-208.
Fouad, A. M., Ruan, D., El-Senousey, H. K., Chen, W., Jiang, S., Zheng, C. (2019). Harmful effects and control strategies of aflatoxin b1 produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus strains on poultry. Toxins, 11(3), 176.
Fraga, M. E., Curvello, F., Gatti, M. J., Cavaglieri, L. R., Dalcero, A. M., da Rocha Rosa, C. A. (2007). Potential aflatoxin and ochratoxin A production by Aspergillus species in poultry feed processing. Veterinary Research Communications, 31, 343-353.
Hussain, A., Yasmeen, R., Hafeez, F., Saeed, K. (2023). Monitoring of Aflatoxins in Broiler, Quail and Ostrich feed samples. Scientific Reports in Life Sciences, 4(2), 11-23.
Iqbal, J., Asghar, M. A., Ahmed, A., Khan, M. A., & Jamil, K. (2014). Aflatoxins contamination in Pakistani brown rice: a comparison of TLC, HPLC, LC–MS/MS and ELISA techniques. Toxicology mechanisms and methods, 24(8), 544-551.
Iram, S., Fareed, S. K., Chaudhary, M., Nisa Iqbal, M. U., Ghani, R., Khan, T. A., Abbas, T. (2019). Identification of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin in home mix layer poultry feed in relation to seasons in Karachi, Pakistan. Tropical animal health and production, 51, 1321-1327.
Iram, S., Fareed, S. K., Chaudhary, M., Nisa Iqbal, M. U., Ghani, R., Khan, T. A., Abbas, T. (2019). Identification of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin in home mix layer poultry feed in relation to seasons in Karachi, Pakistan. Tropical animal health and production, 51, 1321-1327.
Korkmaz, S., Korkmaz, I. O., Aksakal, D. H., Bilal, T. (2017). Analysis of nutritional contents, microbiological contamination and presence of aflatoxins in unpacked feeds sold for pet-birds in Istanbul.
Lawson, B., MacDonald, S., Howard, T., Macgregor, S. K., Cunningham, A. A. (2006). Exposure of garden birds to aflatoxins in Britain. Science of the total environment, 361(1-3), 124-131.
Liu, D. W., Liu, H. Y., Zhang, H. B., Cao, M. C., Sun, Y., Wu, W. D., Lu, C. H. (2016). Potential natural exposure of endangered red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) to mycotoxins aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, T-2 toxin, and ochratoxin A. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE B, 17(2), 158-168.
Mahfuz, M., Gazi, M. A., Hossain, M., Islam, M. R., Fahim, S. M., Ahmed, T. (2020). General and advanced methods for the detection and measurement of aflatoxins and aflatoxin metabolites: a review. Toxin Reviews.
Majer-Baranyi, K., Adányi, N., Székács, A. (2023). Current trends in mycotoxin detection with various types of biosensors. Toxins, 15(11), 645.
Marchioro, A., Mallmann, A. O., Diel, A., Dilkin, P., Rauber, R. H., Blazquez, F. J. H., ... & Mallmann, C. A. (2013). Effects of aflatoxins on performance and exocrine pancreas of broiler chickens. Avian Diseases, 57(2), 280-284.
Marin, S., Ramos, A. J., Cano-Sancho, G., Sanchis, V. (2013). Mycotoxins: Occurrence, toxicology, and exposure assessment. Food and chemical toxicology, 60, 218-237.
Marin, S., Ramos, A. J., Cano-Sancho, G., Sanchis, V. (2013). Mycotoxins: Occurrence, toxicology, and exposure assessment. Food and chemical toxicology, 60, 218-237.
Mérida, V. A. M., Gong, Y. Y., Goycoolea, F. (2020). Aptamer-based detection of fumonisin B1: A systematic comparison with conventional and other novel methods.
Mgbeahuruike, A. C., Agina, O. A., Anyanwu, M. U., Emejuo, N. T., Ekere, S. O., Ugwu, P. C., ... Andong, F. A. (2023). Microbial contamination of poultry feed and the effects on birds’ performance. Animal Research International, 20(1), 4834-4861.
Monson, M. S., Coulombe, R. A., Reed, K. M. (2015). Aflatoxicosis: Lessons from toxicity and responses to aflatoxin B1 in poultry. Agriculture, 5(3), 742-777.
Oliveira, A. A., Keller, K. M., Deveza, M. V., Keller, L. A. M., Dias, E. O., Martini Santos, B. J., ... Rosa, C. A. R. (2015). Effect of three different anti-mycotoxin additives on broiler chickens exposed to aflatoxin B1.
Pleadin, J., Zadravec, M., Perši, N., Vulić, A., Jaki, V., Mitak, M. (2012). Mould and mycotoxin contamination of pig feed in northwest Croatia. Mycotoxin research, 28, 157-162.
Queiroz, B., Pereyra, C. M., Keller, K. M., Almeida, T., Cavaglieri, L. R., Magnoli, C. E., da Rocha Rosa, C. A. (2013). Fungal contamination and determination of fumonisins and aflatoxins in commercial feeds intended for ornamental birds in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Letters in applied microbiology, 57(5), 405-411.
Rashid, N., Bajwa, M. A., Tariq, M. M., Ahmad, T., Rafeeq, M., Ahmad, Z., ... Khan, A. (2017). Occurrence of Aflatoxin B1 producing fungi in finished commercial broiler feed in Quetta. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 49(3).
Richard, J.L. (2007). Some major mycotoxins and their mycotoxicoses—An overview. International journal of food microbiology, 119(1-2), 3-10.
Summia, K., Yasmeen, R., Nisa, A., Djeffa, A., Jabeen, T. (2020). Estimation of Aflatoxins in Cattle Feed Used in and Around Lahore District. Biologia, 66, 185-191.
Szelenberger, R., Cichoń, N., Zajaczkowski, W., Bijak, M. (2024). Application of Biosensors for the Mycotoxins for the Improvement of Food Safety. Toxins, 16(6), 249.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
JWB applies the 