Safety of low and high cost dry feed intended for dogs in Brazil concerning fumonisins, zearalenone and aflatoxins

Abstract

The Brazilian pet sector exportation has been growing at an impressive rate lately. Considering the intense globalisation, pet food may be commercialised worldwide and the issue concerning safety of dry dog feed has become a topic of widespread international interest. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the safety of low and high cost dry feed and the degree of exposure of dogs to mycotoxins through naturally contaminated feed in Brazil. In addition, the safe pet dietary level (SPDL) was calculated. Fumonisins, zearalenone (ZEA) and aflatoxins were analysed in three feed types intended for dogs (n=87), provided by pet owners. Mean fumonisin levels were 272 µg/kg (Standard), 78.2 µg/kg (Premium), and 186 µg/kg (Super Premium) while ZEA mean levels were 52.6 µg/kg (Standard), 10.6 µg/kg (Premium) and 17.5 µg/kg (Super Premium). Mean total aflatoxin levels (aflatoxin B1 + B2 + G1 + G2) in Standard, Premium and Super Premium feed were 1.29 µg/kg, 0.49 µg/kg and 0.53 µg/kg, respectively. The estimated daily intake (EDI) values for fumonisin B1 were 1.41 (Standard), 1.60 (Premium) and 0.93 µg/kg body weight (BW)/day (Super Premium feed), whereas for ZEA they were 0.54 (Standard), 0.37 (Premium) and 0.42 µg/kg BW/day (Super Premium feed). SPDL for fumonisins and ZEA was 2,000 and 375 µg/kg feed, respectively. EDI values for aflatoxin B1 were 13.0 (Standard), 14.0 (Premium) and 11.0 ng/kg BW/day (Super Premium feed). Although the feed samples intended for dogs in Brazil were often contaminated with aflatoxins, fumonisins and ZEA, the estimated daily intake values were low, even for the low cost formulations. However, it cannot be excluded that some of the feed samples could have a negative effect on animal health and performance considering feeding a monodiet of commercial feed, low multi-mycotoxin contamination levels and interactions between mycotoxins.