Incidence of Aflatoxin B1 in Commercial Poultry Feed and Tissues of Broiler Chickens in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Abstract

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) belongs to a group of hepatocarcinogenic and hepatotoxic mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus found in food or feed products. In this study we analyzed 180 feed of six different brands of commercial poultry feeds from three feed distribution outlets in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria for the occurrence and concentrations of AFB1. In addition, to the transfer of AFB1 to broiler meat from chicken fed for four weeks with one brand of feed associated with the highest AFB1 contamination. The study was carried out between April and June, 2019. The presence/concentration of AFB1 was determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) following solid phase extraction of sample and preparation. Aflatoxin B1 was detected in all (100 %) the brands of feed and 48 % of chicken samples tested. The concentration of AFB1 in feed ranged between 10.5 ± 4.0 and 47.78 ± 6.4, while the mean AFB1 residues obtained in chicken muscle, gizzards and liver after four weeks were 0.07 ± 0.02, 0.18 ± 0.05 and 0.13 ± 0.02 μg/kg, respectively. The presence of AFB1 in all the brands of poultry feeds tested in this study and its possible transfer into chicken meat poses food/feed safety and public health concern. There is therefore, the need to screen feed and apply Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point to feed manufacturing, storage and broiler chicken production to prevent aflatoxicosis.