Natural co-occurrence of aflatoxins and deoxynivalenol in poultry feed in Pakistan

Abstract

Two hundred and fifteen broiler poultry feed samples were analysed over the time period of one year for the co-occurrence of aflatoxins and deoxynivalenol (DON). These were determined by GC–MS and ELISA, respectively. LOD values for aflatoxins and DON were 0.5 and 5 µg/kg, respectively. From all investigated 215 poultry feed samples, aflatoxins and DON co-occurred in 100 samples (46%). DON was detected in 114 samples while 100 samples also were positive for aflatoxins. Mean concentrations of positive samples for aflatoxins and DON were 18 and 807 µg/kg, respectively. Twenty-one DON-positive and 42 aflatoxin positive samples were contaminated above the EU maximum legal limits of 1000 µg/kg and 20 µg/kg, respectively. The present study provided useful data on aflatoxin and DON contamination, which may be helpful for future strategies to control contamination and to formulate standards in poultry feeds.

Keywords:

• aflatoxins
• deoxynivalenol
• poultry feed
• ELISA
• GC–MS
• Pakistan

Funding

The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan for providing the financial support to carry out this research [project number 20-1544/R&D/09/2204].