ESTIMATION AND DETOXIFICATION OF AFLATOXINS IN OSTRICH FEED SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM LAHORE, PAKISTAN
Sonal Chaudhry, Bushra Nisar Khan, Sajila Hina, Waqar Ali Gill, Ayesha Shaheen, Romana Zulfiqar, Madiha Ashraf
Abstract
Ostrich farming is an emerging agricultural business in Pakistan with high demands for meat, eggs, oil, feathers, and leather. However, the presence of aflatoxins may lead to health hazards to poultry and consumers depending on this industry. A study for aflatoxin contamination was conducted on ostrich feed samples collected from 10 localities of Lahore with an emphasis on storage and handling conditions. The samples were analyzed using thin liquid chromatography. The aflatoxin positive feed samples were then detoxified using 0.5, 1, and 1.5 g bud powder of Moringa oleifera, incubated for 7, 14, 21, and 28 days, and were analyzed again. Results revealed maximum contamination (60%) during summers with an average temperature of 30.88 ºC and minimum (20%) in winters with an average temperature of 17.08 ºC. The major contaminant that found was B1
Aflatoxin. Results were statistically analyzed by applying Paired T–Test which proved the effectiveness of M. oleifera ratio in detoxification of feed aflatoxins. On the basis of this study, it was concluded that M. oleifera buds are an efficient biological agent against aflatoxins in feed. In addition, control of temperature and
improvement in storage conditions at the sites can reduce the risks of aflatoxicosis.