Aflatoxins, fumonisins and toxigenic fungi in raw materials and ready dry dog food in central Argentina

Abstract

The aims of this work were to isolate and identify Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium species in raw materials and ready dog foods. Likewise, the natural occurrence of aflatoxins and fumonisins and the capacity to produce aflatoxins by Aspergillus section Flavi strains were evaluated. Raw materials and pelletized ready dog food samples were collected from factories located in central Argentina. Aflatoxin B1 and fumonisin B1 were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography. All samples showed moderate levels of contamination (103 to 104 CFU g-1). Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus and Fusarium verticillioides were the most prevalent species. The highest percentage (70%) of AFB1 producing- strains were isolated from ready pet food. Aflatoxin B1 was detected only in wheat and soybean pellet samples. Eighty five percent of ready dog food samples contained FB1 at levels from 2.0 to 166.9 ng g-1. The high frequency of aflatoxicogenic strains in some raw materials and ready dog food shows the potential risk for aflatoxin production if storage environmental conditions are not adequate. This manuscript makes a contribution to the knowledge of mycobiota and mycotoxins in raw materials and ready dog food.The aims of this work were to isolate and identify Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium species in raw materials and ready dog foods. Likewise, the natural occurrence of aflatoxins and fumonisins and the capacity to produce aflatoxins by Aspergillus section Flavi strains were evaluated. Raw materials and pelletized ready dog food samples were collected from factories located in central Argentina. Aflatoxin B1 and fumonisin B1 were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography. All samples showed moderate levels of contamination (103 to 104 CFU g-1). Aspergillus flavus, A.fumigatus and Fusarium verticillioides were the most prevalent species. The highest percentage (70%) of AFB1 producing- strains were isolated from ready pet food. Aflatoxin B1 was detected only in wheat and soybean pellet samples. Eighty five percent of ready dog food samples contained FB1 at levels from 2.0 to 166.9 ng/g. The high frequency of aflatoxicogenic strains in some raw materials and ready dog food shows the potential risk for aflatoxin production if storage environmental conditions are not adequate. This manuscript makes a contribution to the knowledge of mycobiota and mycotoxins in raw materials and ready dog food.

Os objetivos deste estudo foram: isolar e identificar espécies de Aspergillus, Penicillium e Fusarium em matérias-primas e rações (alimento completo e balanceado) para cães. Foi avaliada também a ocorrência natural de aflatoxinas e fumonisinas, e a capacidade de produção de aflatoxinas por cepas de Aspergillus da seção Flavi. Amostras de matérias-primas e rações peletizadas para cães foram coletadas de fábricas localizadas na região central da Argentina. Aflatoxina B1 e fumonisina B1 foram quantificadas por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. Todas as amostras apresentaram moderados níveis de contaminação (103 a 104 UFC g-1). Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus e Fusarium verticillioides foram as espécies mais prevalentes. A maior porcentagem (70%) de cepas produtoras de AFB1 foi isolada das rações. Aflatoxina B1 foi detectada apenas nas amostras de trigo e soja. Oitenta e cinco porcento das amostras de rações continham níveis de FB1 de 2,0 a 166,9 ng g-1. As altas freqüências de cepas aflatoxígenas em algumas das matérias-primas e nas rações de cães evidenciam um potencial risco para a produção de aflatoxinas se as condições ambientais de armazenamento forem inadequadas. Este artigo contribui para o conhecimento da micobiota e micotoxinas em matérias-primas e rações para cães.