Dietary Aflatoxin Research Articles

Effects of aflatoxin B1 on reproductive performance of farmed Nile tilapia

ABSTRACTThis study evaluated the effect of dietary aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on growth, milt and egg quality in matured Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Triplicate groups of Nile tilapia (initial body weight 24.1 ± 2.6 g) were fed with either of four diets (Diets 1 to 4) designed to contain 0, 20, 200 and 2000 μg AFB1 kg−1 diets for 24 weeks. After 24 weeks of AFB1 exposure, growth was significantly (P <0.05) different between the control and the AFB1 exposed treatments in both sexes. No significant differences were observed in 17β-oestradiol, absolute fecundity, oocytes volume and diameters between AFB1 exposure groups and the control group. However, we observed a significant reduction in relative fecundity and gonad somatic index (GSI) in females fed 2000 μg AFB1 kg−1 diet. On the other hand, we observed significant differences (P <0.05) in gonadosomatic index (GSI), testosterone, milt count and motility between males in the control group and AFB1 treatments. We conclude that rearing Nile tilapia with aflatoxin-contaminated diets for a prolonged period affects milt quality, fecundity (at higher doses) and growth performance. This implies that for optimal seed production, provision of aflatoxin free diets should be part of the management practices in Nile tilapia hatcheries.

Effects of Dietary Aflatoxin B1 on Physiological Biomarkers with Special Reference to Udder Health of Lactating Goats

Effects of Dietary Aflatoxin B1 on Physiological Biomarkers with Special Reference to Udder Health of Lactating Goats

Alleviation of aflatoxin-related oxidative damage to liver and improvement of growth performance in broiler chickens consumed Lactobacillus plantarum 299v for entire growth period

Growing broiler chicks on a diet contaminated with aflatoxins (200 or 2000 ppb) for entire growth period resulted in increased oxidative stress and liver damage markers. The toxicity was subsided in broilers received a specific aflatoxin-binding probiotic i.e., Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v). There was a substantial (30–90%) increase in antioxidant activity of plasma, which was suppressed due to dietary aflatoxins. Probiotic also reduced serum lactate dehydrogenase and alanine amino transferase together with lipid peroxidation products in liver, which were elevated due to aflatoxin. Because of Lp299v consumption, there was ∼20–55% recovery in body weight gain in broilers intoxicated with aflatoxins. Comparison of the Lp299v effects with that of a commercial aflatoxin binder revealed that, improved antioxidant activity of the chicks was associated with growth performance. These data suggest that aflatoxin-binding probiotics are beneficial with multi-functional effects and can efficiently help reducing aflatoxins in food chain associated with poultry industry.

The impact of reducing dietary aflatoxin exposure on child linear growth: a cluster randomised controlled trial in Kenya

IntroductionObservational studies have documented an association between aflatoxin (AF) exposure and reduced linear growth in infants and young children. Our objective was to assess the effectiveness of reducing AF exposure...

Dietary aflatoxin B1 decreases growth performance and damages the structural integrity of immune organs in juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

For many years, feed-borne mycotoxin contamination has been a serious and unavoidable problem in the aquaculture industry. This problem is extensively aggravated due to the increasing replacement of fish meal by plant protein. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a mycotoxin that has received a great deal of attention, owing to its prevalence in plant feedstuffs and detrimental effects on animals. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of AFB1 on growth and health. The growth performance and structural integrity of immune organs were evaluated after feeding grass carp diets with 0, 29, 59, 86, 110 and 147 μg AFB1/kg for 60 days. The results indicated that dietary AFB1 caused poor growth performance and deformities in juvenile grass carp. In addition, we are the first to observe that AFB1 was detectable in the head kidney and spleen of juvenile grass carp and damages the structural integrity of those organs. And we, for the first time, explore potential mechanisms of this destruction effect to immune organs of fish, which might be partly involved in (1) attenuating antioxidant ability through up-regulation of Keap1a (not Keap1b) to suppress Nrf2 signalling leading to decrease of mRNA levels and activities of antioxidant enzymes (except GSTP1 mRNA level); (2) aggravating apoptosis partly by activating p38 MAPK signalling to activate mitochondria pathway and death receptor pathway; and (3) weakening TJs structure by promoting MLCK signalling to down-regulate the mRNA of TJs protein (claudin-12 was up-regulated) in the head kidney and spleen. Finally, based on the oxidative injury-related indexes (contents of MDA in the head kidney and PC in the spleen), the safe upper doses of AFB1 for grass carp were first estimated to be 30 and 29 μg/kg diet, respectively.

Effects of Nano-Composite Adsorbents on the Growth Performance, Serum Biochemistry, and Organ Weights of Broilers Fed with Aflatoxin-Contaminated Feed.

The exploration of feed mycotoxin adsorbents to mitigate the adverse effects of mycotoxins on animals has received increasing attention over the last decade. The present study was conducted to assess the efficacy of nano-composite magnetic graphene oxide with chitosan (MGO-CTS) adsorbents against feed contaminated with ~20 ng/g (ppb) aflatoxin (AF). A total of three hundred 1-day-old chicks were randomly distributed into six dietary treatment groups, as follows: basal diet (broilers fed a diet with neither AF nor MGO-CTS added, T1), basal diet + 0.25% MGO-CTS (T2), basal diet + 0.50% MGO-CTS (T3), AF diet + 0.25% MGO-CTS (T4), AF diet + 0.50% MGO-CTS (T5), and AF diet (T6). The two inclusion levels (0.25 and 0.50%) of MGO-CTS significantly (p < 0.05) improved the growth performances and feed conversion ratios of the AF-treated chicks at 1–35 days of age, and the impact was more pronounced for 0.5% MGO-CTS. The AF intake markedly increased the relative weights of the liver and kidney, resulting in significant alterations in the serum biochemical parameters, such as albumins, alkaline phosphatase, and SGPT/alanine (ALT), at 35 days of age. However, the chickens fed 0.5% MGO-CTS with AF diets had apparent recovery or restoration of AF-induced organ lesions and aberrant serum profiles. A significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the total AFs was observed in the gastrointestinal tracts of the chickens fed 0.25% or 0.50% adsorbent in combination with AF feed (T4 and T5), with decreases of 28.9% and 53.5%, respectively, compared with that in the chickens fed an AF-contaminated diet (T6). The results of the study indicated that a higher concentration of MGO-CTS (0.50%) was effective in improving the overall performance of broiler chickens by preventing the adverse effects associated with aflatoxicosis.

Hepatocellular carcinomas are promoted by tocopheryl acetate but eliminated by tocopheryl succinate

BackgroundThe major causes of hepatocellular carcinomas are Aflatoxin, hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses.Alpha tocopherol and its acetate and succinate esters have each been reported as counteracting cancer development in humans and rodents. We have investigated their salutary effect in both poor and high quality diets in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss as a model. MethodsHepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) were induced in rainbow trout by dietary aflatoxin B1 (AfB1). A matrix of different levels of several vitamins and vitamin analogues were included in selected diets as possible anticancer agents. Identification of HCCs was made by histopathology. Results1.) Elevated dietary tocopheryl acetate (E-Ac) caused a marked increase in liver size and in AfB1-induced HCCs in rainbow trout. 2.) Poor diets increased the HCC incidence. 3.) Elevated dietary tocopheryl succinate (E-Su) nearly eliminated HCC development in fish fed complete diets. Tocopheryl succinate in poor diets reduced HCCs by 77% compared to tocopheryl acetate diets. 4.) Trans-retinoic acid also reduced HCC incidence. 5.) Vitamins A and D deficiency caused tumor increases but had no effect on liver size. 6.) The use of casein and dextrin in the place of soybean textured vegetable protein, in poor diets nearly eliminated the HCC risk. 7.) Trout sera showed all three vitamin forms; free α-tocopherol (E-OH), tocopheryl acetate (E-Ac) and tocopheryl succinate (E-Su), from diets containing any of these vitamin analogues, suggesting both de-esterification and trans-esterification. 8.) E-Su is discussed in the light of an anti-cancer agent that is non toxic to normal tissue but that cohorts to it are needed. ConclusionsIncreased dietary E-Ac escalated AfB1 induced HCCs and caused hepatomegaly in rainbow trout, while E-Su eliminated the HCC risk as shown by histopathology.

Effects of dietary aflatoxin B1 on accumulation and performance in matrinxã fish (Brycon cephalus).

Aflatoxins (AF) can be cumulative in fish tissues and can influence weight, length, feed intake and survival depending on the species. The aim of this work is to measure performance and aflatoxin levels in tissues of matrinxã (Brycon cephalus) fish chronically exposed to aflatoxin. Aflatoxin was incorporated into fish diets at the following levels: Control Feed + 0 μg AFB1 kg-1; A. Feed + 10 μg AFB1 kg-1; B. Feed + 20 μg AFB1 kg-1; C. Feed + 50 μg AFB1 kg-1. It was used one tank per treatment, each one with 150 juvenile fish, and three replicates within each tank were used for sampling, that was carried out monthly over a period of six months. Aflatoxin was quantified by HPLC in fish liver and muscle after clean up using immunoaffinity columns. Performance was evaluated by using weight, length, consumption and survival rate. Muscle and liver aflatoxin levels were below the limit of detection in all control samples. Aflatoxins B2, G1 and G2 were not detected in any tissues. Traces (values between limits of detection and quantification) of AFB1 were observed in liver tissue in treatment A from day 30 through 90, reaching 0.32 μg AFB1 kg-1 at 150 days of exposure. Treatment B presented traces up to day 60 and had, with a maximum level of 0.39 μg AFB1 kg-1 at 150 days of exposure. Treatment C had aflatoxin residues after day 30, with values ranging from 0.17 to 0.61 μg AFB1 kg-1 during exposure. Muscle samples only had traces of AFB1 in all treatments. Fish was affected by exposure to AFB1 with higher values (P<0.05) for weight and length in treatments A, B and C relative to controls. Therefore, results indicate that matrinxã do not accumulate AFB1 residues in edible tissues, but chronic exposure affects the species.

Association between Urinary Aflatoxin (AFM₁) and Dietary Intake among Adults in Hulu Langat District, Selangor, Malaysia.

Aflatoxin is a food contaminant and its exposure through the diet is frequent and ubiquitous. A long-term dietary aflatoxin exposure has been linked to the development of liver cancer in populations with high prevalence of aflatoxin contamination in foods. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the association between urinary aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), a biomarker of aflatoxin exposure, with the dietary intake among adults in Hulu Langat district, Selangor, Malaysia. Certain food products have higher potential for aflatoxin contamination and these were listed in a Food Frequency Questionnaire, which was given to all study participants. This allowed us to record consumption rates for each food product listed. Concomitantly, urine samples were collected, from adults in selected areas in Hulu Langat district, for the measurement of AFM1 levels using an ELISA kit. Of the 444 urine samples collected and tested, 199 were positive for AFM1, with 37 of them exceeding the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.64 ng/mL. Cereal products showed the highest consumption level among all food groups, with an average intake of 512.54 g per day. Chi-square analysis showed that consumption of eggs (X2 = 4.77, p = 0.03) and dairy products (X2 = 19.36, p < 0.01) had significant associations with urinary AFM1 but both food groups were having a phi and Cramer’s V value that less than 0.3, which indicated that the association between these food groups’ consumption and AFM1 level in urine was weak.

Effects of dietary mixed aflatoxin B1 and fumonisin B1 on growth performance and haematology of juvenile Clarias gariepinus catfish

This study aimed to determine the effects of dietary mixtures of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) on growth performance and haematology of juvenile Clarias gariepinus and also determine the maximum tolerable limits for the mixture of these mycotoxins in C. gariepinus. Five experimental diets amended with varied concentrations of AFB1 and FB1 (Diet A (control 2.0 μg AFB1; 3.0 mg FB1/kg); Diet B (7.3 μg AFB1; 15.0 mg FB1/kg); Diet C (17.6 μg AFB1; 24.5 mg FB1/kg); Diet D (48.0 μg AFB1; 43.0 mg FB1/kg) and Diet E (93.0 μg AFB1; 83.0 mg FB1/kg were fed to 450 juvenile C. gariepinus catfish in five groups of 15 separate plastic tanks for a period or 56 days. Five fish were randomly sampled from each tank at time points day 7, 14, 28 and day 56. These fish were weighed, length measured and bleed for haematological determinations. Fish fed the diets amended with mixtures of AFB1 and FB1 exhibited significant reduction (p < 0.05) in growth performance marked by reduction in mean length gain; mean weight gain and specific growth rate compared to fish fed the control diets. Further, fish fed diets amended with mixtures of the mycotoxins showed significant reduction (p < .05) in the erythrocytes count, haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit compared to fish fed the control diet. Based on the results of growth and haematological performance, juvenile C. gariepinus can tolerate diets containing up to 17.6 μg AFB1/kg and 24.5 mg FB1/kg.

Exposure to aflatoxin and fumonisin in children at risk for growth impairment in rural Tanzania

Growth impairment is a major public health issue for children in Tanzania. The question remains as to whether dietary mycotoxins play a role in compromising children's growth. We examined children's exposures to dietary aflatoxin and fumonisin and potential impacts on growth in 114 children under 36 months of age in Haydom, Tanzania. Plasma samples collected from the children at 24 months of age (N = 60) were analyzed for aflatoxin B1-lysine (AFB1-lys) adducts, and urine samples collected between 24 and 36 months of age (N = 94) were analyzed for urinary fumonisin B1 (UFB1). Anthropometric, socioeconomic, and nutritional parameters were measured and growth parameter z-scores were calculated for each child. Seventy-two percent of the children had detectable levels of AFB1-lys, with a mean level of 5.1 (95% CI: 3.5, 6.6) pg/mg albumin; and 80% had detectable levels of UFB1, with a mean of 1.3 (95% CI: 0.8, 1.8) ng/ml. This cohort had a 75% stunting rate [height-for-age z-scores (HAZ) < −2] for children at 36 months. No associations were found between aflatoxin exposures and growth impairment as measured by stunting, underweight [weight-for-age z-scores (WAZ) < −2], or wasting [weight-for-height z-scores (WHZ) < −2]. However, fumonisin exposure was negatively associated with underweight (with non-detectable samples included, p = 0.0285; non-detectable samples excluded, p = 0.005) in this cohort of children. Relatively low aflatoxin exposure at 24 months was not linked with growth impairment, while fumonisin exposure at 24–36 months based on the UFB1 biomarkers may contribute to the high growth impairment rate among children of Haydom, Tanzania; which may be associated with their breast feeding and weaning practices.

Effect of adding clay with or without a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product on the health and performance of lactating dairy cows challenged with dietary aflatoxin B1

The study was conducted to examine the effect of supplementing bentonite clay with or without a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP; 19 g of NutriTek + 16 g of MetaShield, both from Diamond V, Cedar Rapids, IA) on the performance and health of dairy cows challenged with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Twenty-four lactating Holstein cows (64 ± 11 d in milk) were stratified by parity and milk production and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment sequences. The experiment had a balanced 4 × 4 Latin square design with 6 replicate squares, four 33-d periods, and a 5-d washout interval between periods. Cows were fed a total mixed ration containing 36.1% corn silage, 8.3% alfalfa hay, and 55.6% concentrate (dry matter basis). Treatments were (1) control (no additives), (2) toxin (T; 1,725 µg of AFB1/head per day), (3) T + clay (CL; 200 g/head per day; top-dressed), and (4) CL+SCFP (CL+SCFP; 35 g/head per day; top-dressed). Cows were adapted to diets from d 1 to 25 (predosing period) and then orally dosed with AFB1 from d 26 to 30 (dosing period), and AFB1 was withdrawn from d 31 to 33 (withdrawal period). Milk samples were collected twice daily from d 21 to 33, and plasma was sampled on d 25 and 30 before the morning feeding. Transfer of ingested AFB1 into milk aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) was greater in T than in CL or CL+SCFP (1.65 vs. 1.01 and 0.94%, respectively) from d 26 to 30. The CL and CL+SCFP treatments reduced milk AFM1 concentration compared with T (0.45 and 0.40 vs. 0.75 µg/kg, respectively), and, unlike T, both CL and CL+SCFP lowered AFM1 concentrations below the US Food and Drug Administration action level (0.5 µg/kg). Milk yield tended to be greater during the dosing period in cows fed CL+SCFP compared with T (39.7 vs. 37.7 kg/d). Compared with that for T, plasma glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase concentration, indicative of aflatoxicosis and liver damage, was reduced by CL (85.9 vs. 95.2 U/L) and numerically reduced by CL+SCFP (87.9 vs. 95.2 U/L). Dietary CL and CL+SCFP reduced transfer of dietary AFB1 to milk and milk AFM1 concentration. Only CL prevented the increase in glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase concentration, and only CL+SCFP prevented the decrease in milk yield caused by AFB1 ingestion.

Aflatoxin B1 residues in human livers and their relationship with markers of hepatic carcinogenesis in São Paulo, Brazil.

In this study, hepatic biopsies from autopsy cases in São Paulo, Brazil, showing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, n = 8), cirrhosis associated with viral hepatitis (VC, n = 20), cirrhosis associated with alcoholism (AC, n = 20), and normal livers (NL or controls, n = 10) were subjected to determination of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and its main metabolites, and of markers of hepatic carcinogenesis Only non-metabolized AFB1 was detected in 13 samples (27.1%, N = 48) of liver disorders (HCC, VC and AC), at levels between 10.0 and 418.0 pg/g (mean: 76.6 ± 107.7 pg/g). Immuno-labeling of p53, cyclin D1, p21, β-catenin, and Prohibitin (PB) increased mainly in HCC patients, in relation to the controls. AFB1+ samples of HCC presented higher expressions of p53, cyclin D1, p21, and β-catenin compared with AFB1-livers. In contrast, p27, p16, and Rb immuno-labeling decreased in HCC, VC, and AC samples, compared with NL, with lowest values in AFB1+ samples for all liver disorders. Compared with NL, gene expression of cyclin D1 and PB in AFB1+ samples of HCC and AC were also higher, along with higher gene expression of p21 in VC and AC AFB1+ livers. Results indicated that patients with liver disorders were exposed to dietary aflatoxins, and that residual AFB1 in liver negatively affected the p53 and protein Rb pathways in HCC. Moreover, the presence of AFB1 in cirrhotic livers warrants concern about the potential contribution of dietary aflatoxin to disease progression during VC and AC.

Evaluation of the Ability of a Feed Additive to Ameliorate the Adverse Effects of Aflatoxins in Broiler Chickens

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of 3.5 g Humic acid (HA), 3.5gesterifiedglucomannan (EGM) and 5gHydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicate (HSCAS) to counteract the toxic effects of 1 ppm aflatoxin in the broiler chicken7-35days of age.Three hundred 7-day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into five treatment groups of 4 replicates (each contained 15 chicks). While chicks in group 1 were fed a basal diet free of toxin (control), group 2 chicks were fed a basal diet contaminated with 1ppm AF, the other three groups 3, 4 and 5 were fed contaminatedbasal diet supplemented with 3.5 g HA, 3.5 g GEM and 5 g HSCAS, respectively. All groups were kept under observation from 7-35 days of age. Results obtained can be summarized as follows:Feeding contaminated diets significantly decreased final body weight, BW gains and feed intake. Feed conversion rate (FCR) was lowest in the group consuming the aflatoxin diet (P < 0.05). Further, contaminated diet caused significant decreases in serum total protein, albumin, globulin, total lipids, calcium and phosphorus. Compared with the control, the contaminated diet with 1ppm AF significantly increased the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), uric acid and creatinine. Also, there was impairment in liver and Serum antioxidant enzyme activities,antibodies titer against Newcastle Disease (ND) and aflatoxin B1 residual in the liver associated with aflatoxin toxicity. Increased relative weights of liver and decreased dressing % were observed in chicks fed the AF- diet.The results cleared that treatment of aflatoxicated birds with 3.5g HA, 3.5 g GEM and 5 g HSCAS induced protection from the development of signs and lesions with significant (p

Efficacy of different antimycotoxicosis compounds on the main immune organs and humoral immune response of broiler chickens fed on aflatoxin and/or ochratoxin contaminated diet

The ameliorative effects of some different antimycotoxicosis compounds (AMCs) against the adverse effects induced by intoxication of dietary aflatoxin (AF) and/or ochratoxin (OT) on the immune system performance in broiler chicks were investigated.AF (23 ppb), OT (17 ppb) and mixed doses were fed and in association with antimycotoxin feed additives; product A (combination of Eubacterium BBSH797 and Trichosporon mycotoxinivoran, plant extract, algae extract) or product B (nano-clay, seaweed extract, yeast cell wall, diatomaceous earth) from 1 day old chicks to 21 day. The intoxicated chicks treated with AMCs; product C(combination of bacterial cell wall extract, oligosaccharides, L-form bacteria extract, group of mycotoxin biotransforming enzymes, organic acid and salts, hepatic and renal tonic and vitamins)or product D in drinking water (isomalto-oligosaccharide, micronized-mannan oligosacharide, lactobacillus extract and cholestyramine) were used in the drinking water of 2 weeks old chicks after appearance of signs. Results revealed that chicks intoxicated with AF and/or OT showed significant (P<0.05) decrease in the relative weights of the main immune organs and the antibody titers against vaccines of Newcastle disease (ND) and Infectious bursal diseases (IBD) viruses, in addition to significant (P<0.05) increase in the cumulative histopathological lesion scores of thymus, bursa of Fabracius and spleen. The adverse effects of AF and/or OT on the relative weights and the histopathological lesion scores of the tested immune organs and the antibody titers against ND and IBD vaccination were significantly (P<0.05) improved with dietary supplementation of AMCs products A or B. While the treatment of the intoxicated chicks with AMCs products C or D in the drinking water showed partially and temporarily improvement in the relative weights and the histopathological lesion scores of the tested immune organs and did not improve the negative effects of AF and/or OT on the antibody titers against ND and IBD vaccines.

Efficacy of feed additives to reduce the effect of naturally occurring mycotoxins fed to turkey hen poults reared to 6 weeks of age

Corn with naturally occurring aflatoxin (AF), wheat with naturally occurring doxynivalenol (DON), and barley with naturally occurring zearalenone (ZEA) were used to make rations for feeding turkey hen poults to 6 weeks of age. Control rations with equal amounts of corn, wheat, and barley were also fed. The control rations did contain some DON while both sets of rations contained ZEA. Within each grain source, there were 4 treatments: the control ration plus 3 rations each with a different feed additive which were evaluated for the potential to lessen potential mycotoxin effects on bird performance and physiology. The additives were Biomin BioFix (2lb/ton), Kemin Kallsil (4lb/ton), and Nutriad UNIKE (3lb/ton). The mycotoxin rations reduced poult body weight (2.31vs. 2.08 ± 0.02kg) and increased (worsened) poult feed conversion (1.47vs. 1.51 ± 0.01) at 6 wk. Feeding the poults the mycotoxin feed also resulted in organ and physiological changes typical of feeding dietary aflatoxin although a combined effect of AF, DON, and ZEA which cannot be dismissed. The feed additives resulted in improved feed conversion to 6 wk in both grain treatment groups. The observed physiological effect of feeding the additives was to reduce relative gizzard weight for both groups and to lessen the increase in relative kidney weight for the birds fed the mycotoxin feed. In conclusion, the feed additives used in this study did alleviate the effect of dietary mycotoxins to some degree, especially with respect to feed conversion. Further studies of longer duration are warranted.

Analysis of Aflatoxin M1 in Breast Milk and Its Association with Nutritional and Socioeconomic Status of Lactating Mothers in Lebanon

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most potent of the dietary aflatoxins, and its major metabolite, aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), is frequently found in the breast milk of lactating mothers. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence and factors associated with AFM1 contamination of breast milk collected from lactating mothers in Lebanon. A total of 111 breast milk samples were collected according to the guidelines set by the World Health Organization. Samples were analyzed with a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay between December 2015 and November 2016. A survey was used to determine the demographic and anthropometric characteristics of participating lactating mothers. Dietary habits were assessed using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Mean (±standard deviation) concentration of AFM1 in the breast milk samples was 4.31 ± 1.8 ng/L, and 93.8% of samples contained AFM1 at 0.2 to 7.9 ng/L. The mean concentration of AFM1 was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in fall and winter (4.1 ± 1.9 ng/L) than in spring and summer (5.0 ± 1.7 ng/L). None of the samples exceeded the European Commission regulation limit (25 ng/L) for infant milk replacement formula. AFM1 contamination was significantly associated (P < 0.05) with the daily consumption of white cheeses but not with the consumption of meat or cereal products. No significant association (P > 0.05) was observed between AFM1 concentrations in breast milk and anthropometric sociodemographic factors (age and level of education) or the governorate of residence of the nursing mothers. The mean AFM1 estimated daily intake was found to be 0.69 ng/day/kg of body weight. Although the incidence of AFM1 contamination was low, our first-of-its-kind study highlights the importance of conducting investigations on mycotoxin contamination in breast milk and of developing protection strategies to tackle the exposure of infants to this potent chemical hazard.

English

A study was carried out on the effect of varied levels of dietary aflatoxin on acetylcholinesterase, glucose and total protein concentration in the brain regions of West African Dwarf goats. 20 West African Dwarf goats of about 5-6 months old were used for the trial and they were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments containing 0 (control), 50, 100 and 150 µg aflatoxin/kg diet. The animals were housed individually for the feeding trial in a completely randomised designed and the experiment lasted 12 weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, the animals were sacrificed and brain dissected into different regions. The different regions of the brain studied were medulla oblongata, amygdala, hippocampus, cerebral cortex, mid-brain, cerebellum, pons varoli and hypothalamus. Samples were collected from these regions and homogenised to determine acetylcholinesterase, glucose and total protein concentrations. Result showed that the acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain regions was not significantly influenced by the dietary aflatoxin among the treatments. Glucose concentration was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the hypothalamus of animals fed 50 µg aflatoxin/kg and control diet than those fed 100 and 150 µg aflatoxin/kg. Total protein concentration in the medullar oblongata and the hypothalamic regions of the brain in animals fed 150 ppb was significantly (p<0.05) higher than those on the control diet. The pH of the medulla oblongata, amygdala, hippocampus, cerebral cortex were significantly (p<0.05) higher in goats fed 150 mg/kg than those fed the control diet. However, pH was not significant in the mid brain, cerebellum, pons varoli and hypothalamus among the treatments. This study suggests that dietary aflatoxin up to 100 ppb reduced glucose concentration in the hypothalamus and total protein in the medulla oblongata region of the brain with tendency to impair brain function. Key words: Aflatoxin, WAD goat brain, acetylcholinesterase, total protein.

Effect of dietary aflatoxins (AFB1) on hematological and biochemical indices of male buffaloes

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of dietary aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in growing male buffaloes in terms of feed intake, hematological and serum biochemical parameters. Thirty six bovine growing male buffaloes between 6 months to 12 months of age were divided into four groups to receive diet having no AFB1, 0.6mg/kg, 0.8mg/kg and 1.0mg/kg AFB1 of feed per animal per day for 28 days. The results indicate that the average daily feed intake of AFB1-treated growing male buffaloes significantly declined (P &gt; 0.05) compared with the control. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatinine were significantly increased (P &gt; 0.05) in response to AFB1, However change in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels was non-significant values of all hematological parameters decreased significantly (P &gt; 0.05) in1.0mg/kg AFB1 group as compared to other groups after day 14 onward.

Effect of dietary aflatoxins (AFB1) on hematological and biochemical indices of male buffaloes

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of dietary aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in growing male buffaloes in terms of feed intake, hematological and serum biochemical parameters. Thirty six bovine growing male buffaloes between 6 months to 12 months of age were divided into four groups to receive diet having no AFB1, 0.6mg/kg, 0.8mg/kg and 1.0mg/kg AFB1 of feed per animal per day for 28 days. The results indicate that the average daily feed intake of AFB1-treated growing male buffaloes significantly declined (P < 0.05) compared with the control. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatinine were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in response to AFB1, However change in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels was non-significant values of all hematological parameters decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in1.0mg/kg AFB1 group as compared to other groups after day 14 onward.