Aflatoxin residues in eggs of laying Japanese quail after long-term administration of rations containing low levels of aflatoxin B1

Abstract

The aim was to evaluate the excretion of residues of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), aflatoxin B2a (AFB2a) and aflatoxicol (AFL) in eggs of laying Japanese quail fed rations with low levels of aflatoxin B1 for 90 days. The quail were randomly assigned into four experimental groups and given prepared rations containing either 0 (controls), 25, 50 or 100 μg AFB1kg−1 feed. Thirty-two eggs per treatment were collected on days 1–7, 10, 20, 30, 60 and 90 of the aflatoxin treatment period, and submitted to aflatoxin analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography. Average egg production and feed consumption were not affected (p > 0.05) by AFB 1. Egg weight was significantly lower (p <0.05) only for groups exposed to 100 µg AFB1kg−1. Residues of aflatoxins were detected in eggs at levels that ranged from 0.01 to 0.08 µg kg−1 (AFB1), 0.03–0.37 µg kg−1 (AFM1), 0.01–1.03 µg kg−1 (AFB2a) and 0.01–0.03 µg kg−1 (AFL). Results indicate that the excretion of aflatoxin residues in quail eggs might occur at relatively low concentrations under conditions of long-term exposure of quail to low levels of AFB1.