Revaluation of aflatoxin production by Aspergillus candidus and Eurotium chevalieri isolated from poultry feed in Brazil

Abstract

Commercial feedstuffs in Brazil are an important component in modern animal husbandry. Eurotium chevalieri and Aspergillus candidus have been reported as poultry feed contaminants in Brazil, however, their potential ability to produce aflatoxins on this substrate has not been evaluated. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the aflatoxin-producing ability by A. candidus and E. chevalieri strains isolated from poultry feed and raw materials in Brazil. Mycological analysis was done to isolate total mycobiota. Aspergillus candidus and E. chevalieri strains were sub-cultured in yeast extract sucrose for aflatoxin production. TLC and HPLC analyses were done to demonstrate the aflatoxins production. Aspergillus candidus was isolated at 7.56 and 8.19% from poultry feed and raw materials, respectively, while 26.05 and 26.33% of E. chevalieri strains were isolated. They were able to produce aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2. Eurotium chevalieri produced higher amounts of aflatoxin B1 and G1 than A. candidus. AFG1 and AFB1 production were the higher produced aflatoxins. The potential production of aflatoxins by these fungi could be an unexpected hazard to animal health when poultry feed is consumed. The toxigenic ability knowledgement by these species is important to guarantee the quality of animal feeds. Eurotium chevalieri and Aspergillus candidus have been reported as poultry feed contaminants in Brazil, however, their potential ability to produce aflatoxins on this substrate has not been evaluated. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the aflatoxin-producing ability by A. candidus and E. chevalieri strains isolated from poultry feed and raw materials in Brazil. Mycological analysis was done to isolate total mycobiota. Aspergillus candidus and E. chevalieri strains were sub-cultured in yeast extract sucrose for aflatoxin production. TLC and HPLC analyses were done to demonstrate the aflatoxins production. Aspergillus candidus was isolated at 7.56 and 8.19% from poultry feed and raw materials, respectively, while 26.05 and 26.33% of E. chevalieri strains were isolated. They were able to produce aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2. Eurotium chevalieri produced higher amounts of aflatoxin B1 and G1 than A. candidus. AFG1 and AFB1 production were the higher produced aflatoxins. The potential production of aflatoxins by these fungi could be an unexpected hazard to animal health when poultry feed is consumed. The toxigenic ability knowledgement by these species is important to guarantee the quality of animal feeds.

Ração comercial no Brasil é um componente importante na produção animal moderna. Eurotium chevalieri e Aspergillus candidus são isolados como contaminantes em ração de aves no Brasil, porém, o potencial desses fungos em produzir aflatoxinas neste substrato não é avaliado. Entretanto, a objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade toxígena de A. candidus e E. chevalieri isolado de alimento de aves e matérias primas no Brasil. Análise micológica foi realizada para isolar micobiota total. Aspergillus candidus e E. chevalieri foram inoculados em meio sacarose e extrato de levedura para produção de aflatoxinas. As análises foram realizadas em CCD e CLAE para demonstrar a produção das aflatoxinas. Aspergillus candidus foi isolado em 7,56 e 8,19% de ração para aves e matérias-primas, respectivamente. Enquanto 26,05 e 26,33% de E. chevalieri foi isolados de ração para aves e matérias-primas, respectivamente. Esses fungos produziram aflatoxinas B1, B2, G1 e G2. Eurotium chevalieri produziu quantidades mais altas de aflatoxinas B1 e G1 que A. candidus. As AFG1 e AFB1 foram as que apresentaram maior produção. Os potenciais de produção de aflatoxinas por estes fungos apresentam um perigo à saúde animal quando consumidas. O conhecimento da capacidade toxígena destas espécies é importante para garantir a qualidade da alimentação animal.