Awareness of mycotoxins and occurrence of aflatoxins in poultry feeds and feed ingredients in selected regions of Uganda
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Food Contamination
Abstract
Background: Aflatoxins are a category of mycotoxins produced by certain molds naturally occurring as food and
feed contaminants with toxic effects to both animals and humans. In Uganda, previous studies on aflatoxins mainly
considered human foods, but scarce information exists for animal feeds. The study aimed at establishing the
current status of aflatoxins contamination of poultry feeds, level of awareness and the existing technological
challenges and innovations to mycotoxin control in Uganda.
Method: Mycotoxin awareness, predisposing factors and existing strategies for managing mycotoxin contamination
were investigated through focus group discussions and questionnaires with selected processors and farmers.
Poultry feed and feed ingredient samples were collected and analyzed for total aflatoxins using VICAM Fluorimeter
procedure for foods and animal feeds.
Results: Majority of the farmers and processors (> 50%) had limited knowledge about aflatoxins; contamination
predisposing factors; dangers to animals and humans; and mitigation strategies. The study further revealed poor
feed and feed ingredients handling and storage practices that predispose to mold/aflatoxin contamination. Forty
feed samples from feed processing plants had aflatoxins in the range 7.5 ± 0.71 to 393.5 ± 19.09 parts per billion
(ppb) with only twelve samples being within the generally acceptable limits of 20 ppb as recommended by the
Food and Agricultural Organisation and the United States Federal Department of Agriculture. Additionally, all 27
feed samples obtained from the farmers had aflatoxins in the range of 19.0 ± 1.41 to 188.5 ± 2.12 ppb and were
above the acceptable limit. Generally, broiler feeds were the most contaminated with aflatoxins. Of the feed
ingredients tested, silver fish (Rastrineobola argentea, locally known as “mukene”) had the least concentration (8.7 ±
3.18 ppb) of aflatoxins while maize bran had the highest level of contamination, 103.3 ± 22.98 ppb.
Description
Keywords
Aflatoxin, Poultry feed, Feed ingredients, Processor, Farmers
Citation
Nakavuma, J. L., Kirabo, A., Bogere, P., Nabulime, M. M., Kaaya, A. N., & Gnonlonfin, B. (2020). Awareness of mycotoxins and occurrence of aflatoxins in poultry feeds and feed ingredients in selected regions of Uganda. International Journal of Food Contamination, 7(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40550-020-00079-2