Ppm Aflatoxin Research Articles

The Effect of Echinacea Purpurea L. (Eastern Purple Coneflower) Essential Oil on Hematological Parameters and Gut Microbial Population of Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) With Aflatoxicosis

Background: Aflatoxin is one of the most important fungal toxins with documented hepatotoxic, teratogenic, and immunosuppressive properties. This mycotoxin is mainly produced by species of the genus Aspergillus in feed. Therefore, the application of compounds, which prevent complications of aflatoxins without losing feed quality, is highly beneficial. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of the Echinacea purpurea L. essential oils on the regulation of the microbial population of the gastrointestinal tract and some blood factors of aflatoxin-fed zebrafish. Methods: Zebrafish were divided into four groups of 45 fish in three replicates: control (G1); G2, fish fed with feed containing 500 µg/kg E. purpurea L. essential oils; G3, fish fed with feed containing 500 µg/kg E. purpurea L. essential oil and 3 ppm aflatoxin B1(AFB1); and G4, fish fed with feed containing 3 ppm AFB1. The fish were fed with diets for 60 days. After this period, they were euthanized, blood was collected from the tail vein, and blood smears were prepared. Fish hepatopancreas were used to measure alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase enzymes with an auto-analyzer. Also, intestinal contents were cultured to evaluate microbial population. Results: Results showed that liver enzymes increased in the aflatoxin group (P<0.05), and concurrent use of the essential oil along with AFB1 reduced the liver enzymes compared with the AFB1-treated group. Moreover, AFB1 could convert the microbial population to pathogens. Differential blood counts in the G2 and G3 groups showed an increase in the percentages of neutrophils and thrombocytes. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, E. purpurea L. essential oils could reduce the adverse effects of chronic contamination with AFB1 in zebrafish. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to better understand the immunological function of E. purpurea L. in zebrafish and its mechanism of action against AFB1.

Chicken liver morphology as affected by feed withdrawal time and dietary aflatoxins

ABSTRACT 1. An investigation was conducted on the effects of aflatoxin (AFL) contaminated diets and feed withdrawal periods from 0 to 12 h in broiler chickens at 28 d of age. Both factors can potentially affect liver colour and can cause failure at veterinary inspection in the slaughterhouse. 2. A total of 240, one-d-old female Cobb 500 broiler chickens were fed a common corn-soy pre-starters (d 1 to 7) and then either a non-contaminated control (CON) or feed with 1 ppm AFL (AFL) from d 8 to 28. The inoculum of AFL had 792 ppb of aflatoxin B1, 35 ppb of aflatoxin B2 and 219 ppb of aflatoxin G1. On d 28, all broilers were weighed and euthanised for necropsy following three different feed withdrawal time periods (0, 6 or 12 h), in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. 3. Body weight gain, liver weight and liver fat content decreased as feed withdrawal lengthened, whereas FCR and gallbladder weight increased (P≤0.05). AFL-fed birds had reduced body weight and proportion of liver fat and increased FCR, liver and gallbladder weights (P≤0.05). 4. Livers from fed broilers (0 h withdrawal) showed more lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) than livers of broilers from 6 or 12 h withdrawal (P≤0.05). The L* and redness (a*) values of livers from broilers fed diets COB were lower than those from AFL fed broilers (P≤0.05). 5. Prolonging pre-slaughter feed withdrawal decreased liver L* whereas feeding AFL increased liver b*. These findings can be used to support veterinary assessment in slaughterhouses as shackled birds move on line through the inspection site. Since chicken liver is a valuable organ and an indicator of animal health, attention must be paid to these differences to ensure consumer safety.

Assessment of Microbial Quality and Aflatoxin Levels of Akpu and Garri Sold in Some Selected Markets in Makurdi, Benue State -Nigeria

Microbial and aflatoxin studies of garri and akpu cassava in Makurdi–Nigeria were assessed for microbial and aflatoxin levels. Total valuable bacteria counts (TVBC) of 1.0x105 (cfu/g) were recorded in garri in all the markets. Total valuable fungi counts (TVFC) of 2.0x105 (cfu/g) were also recorded in garri from North Bank and Kanshio markets while Wurukum garri had TVFC of 3.0x105 (cfu/g). No TVBC and TVFC were detected in the controlled garri. Akpu from North Bank, Kanshio and Wurukum markets had 3.6x105 (cfu/g), 6.5x105 and 3.2x105 TVBC, respectively; while TVFC were 2.0x105 for akpu purchased from North Bank and Kanshio markets. No TVFC were recorded in Akpu from Wurukum and the control. No coliforms were detected in either of the samples. 3 fungi isolates (Mucar spp, Candida and Aspergillus niger) and 3bacteria isolates (Staphylococcus aureus, staphylococcus albus and Bacillus subtilis) were isolated. 0.13 and 0.40 ppm aflatoxin were only found in garri sold in North Bank market and the control, respectively. Akpu sold in Wurukum recorded the highest aflatoxin level, 4.90 ppm. The presence of microbial isolates and aflatoxin in the samples pose major threats to the consumers. Adequate hygienic practices by these food product handlers are recommended.

Effect of Synertox® on broiler health and performance during aflatoxicosis

Eighty, one-day-old commercial male broiler chicks (Ross 308), were distributed to four dietary treatments with two replicates of 10 chicks each, to study the effect of Synertox® on broiler performance during aflatoxicosis. Birds were reared for 42 days. All birds were fed on diet with or without aflatoxin (AF) in feed, and with or without Synertox (ST) (enzymes, organic acids and yeast extract) in water. The treatments were as follow: T1 (0 ppm AF and no ST); T2 (2.5 ppm AF and no ST); T3 (0 ppm AF and 0.5 ml/l ST); T4 (2.5 ppm AF and 0.5 ml/l ST). Body weights and feed intake were recorded weekly. At 42 of bird’s age, five birds were randomly selected for estimation of antibody titres against Newcastle disease (ND; for calculation of the relative weight of bursa of Fabricius, thymus and spleen as well as for scoring liver and kidney lesions. The results show that the total body weight gain through 42 days of rearing period that the gain was highest in T3. In the second order was the weight of the control group (T1), while in the third order was T4. The worst body weight gain was reported in T2, in which chicks fed AF. The same picture in body weight gain was obtained with feed consumption and feed conversion ratio. AF had a significant negative effect on the liver parenchyma of broiler chicks in treatment 2, by changing liver colour from mahogany to enlarged muddy or even to yellowish discolouration, with friable consistency with sub capsular haemorrhages. The addition of Synertox® was effective in restoring the normal red brown liver colour. Kidney were also affected by feeding AF (T2). They were enlarged, swollen and pale in colour. All lymphoid organs tested, thymus, bursa of Fabricius and spleen were negatively affected by feeding AF in broilers at 42 days of age. Synertox® was effective in counteracting the negative effect of AF on relative bursal weight, thymus and spleen relative weights. Aflatoxin had detrimental negative effect on the ND ELISA mean antibody titre. A significant restoring of ND antibody titre to those of control group (T1) was recorded by addition of Synertox® to the drinking water of broilers in (T4) compared with the AF fed T2 group. From the studied parameters it could be concluded that Synertox® could be used in counteracting the negative effects of AF on health and performance of broiler chicks.

Nano-zeolite efficiency to mitigate the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) toxicity: Effects on growth, digestive enzymes, antioxidant, DNA damage and bioaccumulation of AFB1 residues in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The feeding trial was conducted to investigate the beneficial impacts of natural clay nano-zeolite against feed contaminated with 3 ppm aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Five hundred and forty fish fingerlings (7.75 ± 0.06 g), were distributed to six groups (30 fish group−1) with three replicates. A basal diet containing (306 g kg−1 protein) and isocaloric (19.53 MJ kg−1 gross energy) were formulated. The basal diet was exposed to different dose of AFB1 (0 and 3 ppm) each level was supplemented with three dietary levels of nano-zeolite (0, 5 and 10 g kg−1). After 84 days, growth performance and feed utilization were significantly higher in fish fed diet with 3 ppm AFB1 and supplemented with 5 or 10 g kg−1 nano-zeolite than diet with 3 ppm AFB1 without nano-zeolite. In addition, higher secretion of endogenous amylase and chymotrypsin were detected in fish fed diet with 3 ppm AFB1 and supplemented with nano-zeolite inclusion at level 5 g kg−1 than other treatment diets. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cells, white blood cells count were significantly higher in the group fish fed diet containing 10 g kg−1 nano-zeolite and exposed to AFB1 than other exposed to AFB1 without nano-zeolite inclusion. Diet supplemented with 10 g kg−1 nano-zeolite and contaminated with AFB1 recorded the lowest serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin and globulin than those exposed to AFB1 without nano-zeolite. Likewise, the antioxidant activities of MAD, SOD, CAT, lysozyme and DNA fragmentation have the same trend. However, adding 5 or 10 g kg−1 zeolite in combination with AFB1 decreased the residual of AFB1 in fish muscle. In conclusion, AFB1 induced reduction in growth, feed utilization, digestive enzymes activities, and antioxidant enzyme activities; elevated the activities of liver enzyme, DNA damage, residual aflatoxin in Nile tilapia musculature; and nano-zeolite alleviated the AFB1 toxicity in O. niloticus, in addition nano-zeolite has beneficial effects to eliminate the negative impacts of AFB1 in health status of tilapia, thus further studies are necessary to clarify the remediation of nano-zeolite against the aflatoxin in aquafeeds along with paying attention to food safety concerns.

To Reduce the Effects of Experimental Aflatoxicosis in Broiler Chicks Using Specific Egg Yolk Immunoglobulin (IgY)

Background : This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of the specific egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) on reducing the defects of experimental aflatoxicosis in broilers. Materials and Methods : In a completely randomized design, a total of 128 Ross 308 broiler chicks were used in 4 treatments, 4 replicates and 8 observations (chicks) for 42 days. Treatments were: 1) control; 2) diet containing 1 ppm aflatoxin B1; 3) diet contaminated with 1 ppm aflatoxin B1 + 0.75 % of egg yolk containing IgY; 4) diet contaminated with 1 ppm aflatoxin B1 + 1.5 % of egg yolk containing IgY. Results : The results showed that the use of aflatoxin containing diet significantly increased the feed conversion ratio, serum cholesterol concentration, serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Also, experimental aflatoxicosis resulted in reduced feed intake, weight gain, serum total protein and albumin concentrations (p<0.05); as well as the liver histopathologic lesions. IgY containing egg yolk (0.75% and 1.5%) added to the contaminated ration improved feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio compared to treatment 2 (p<0.05). Compared to treatment 2, serum cholesterol concentration decreased while total protein concentration increased in treatments 3 and 4 (p<0.05). Liver tissue was approximately normal with mild effects on hepatocytes and mild cytoplasmic changes in chicks receiving treatments 3 and 4. Conclusion : It can be concluded that specific IgY is effective in reducing the defects of experimental aflatoxicosis as well as improving performance in broilers.

Effect of dietary supplementation of mannanoligosaccharides on hepatic gene expressions and humoral and cellular immune responses in aflatoxin-contaminated broiler chicks

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) on expression of hepatic immunological genes and immune responses in aflatoxin-contaminated broiler chicks. A total of 336 seven-day-old Ross broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 7 experimental treatments with 4 replicates and 12 birds per replicate. Experimental treatments consisted of 2 aflatoxin levels (0.5 and 2 ppm) and 3 supplemental MOS levels (0, 1 and 2 g/kg) as a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement in comparison with a control group (unchallenged group). The chicks were challenged with a mix of aflatoxins during 7–28 d of age. Results showed that aflatoxin challenge resulted in the lower antibody titers against infectious bronchitis (IBV) and bursal (IBD) diseases viruses. In addition, aflatoxin-contaminated birds had a lower (P < 0.0001) lymphocyte percentage and a decline in (P < 0.01) interleukin-2 (IL-2) mRNA abundance. Likewise, heterophil proportion, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio and gene expressions of hepatic interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C reactive protein (CRP) were raised (P < 0.001) by increasing dietary aflatoxin level. Dietary inclusion of MOS increased (P < 0.05) antibody titers against IBV, IBD and Newcastle disease virus. Lymphocyte proportion and hepatic IL-2 gene expression were greater (P < 0.0001) in MOS-supplemented birds. Furthermore, supplemental MOS decreased hepatic IL-6 and CRP abundances. Additionally, inclusion of 2 g/kg MOS resulted in the upregulation (P < 0.01) of hepatic IL-2 gene expression in birds contaminated with 0.5 ppm aflatoxin. The present results indicate that supplemental MOS could improve cellular immunity via the upregulation of hepatic IL-2 gene expression in birds challenged with aflatoxins.

Effects on meat quality and black bone incidence of elevated dietary vitamin levels in broiler diets challenged with aflatoxin

Vitamins play an essential role in broiler nutrition. They are fundamental for normal metabolic and physiological process, and their requirements for poultry are not fixed and can be affected by multiple factors. In contrast, mycotoxins are a challenging issue because they hinder performance and the immune system. Vitamin supplementation above minimum requirements would permit improvement in productive potential, health, bone and meat quality in a situation of mycotoxin challenge. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of optimum vitamin nutrition in diets contaminated with aflatoxin in broilers from 1 to 44 days of age. A total of 1800 Cobb 500 male chicks were randomized to 15 sets of eight treatment groups, each containing 15 birds using a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design (commercial vitamin levels and high vitamin levels, two levels of aflatoxin – 0 and 0.5 ppm with binder levels of 0 and 10 000 mg/kg). The mash diets were corn and soybean meal based, formulated according to commercial practices. Feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion were analyzed for birds from 1 to 44 days of age. To determine carcass characteristics (carcass yield, breast yield and leg yield) and black bone syndrome, two birds were slaughtered from each group at 45 days. Other analyses included breast tenderness, water loss by dripping and malonaldehyde concentrations. The results demonstrated that broilers that were fed high levels of vitamins showed better weight gain, feed conversion, carcass yield and breast yield than broilers that were fed diets with commercial vitamin levels (P < 0.05); also, broilers that were fed diets containing 0.5 ppm aflatoxin had lower weight gain, carcass yield and breast yield (P < 0.05). The use of 10 000 mg/kg of binder improved (P < 0.05) feed conversion throughout the rearing period. We conclude that aflatoxin negatively affects performance and carcass yield; however, feeding optimum vitamin nutrition improved these performance traits.

Effect of aflatoxin B1 on development, survival and fecundity of Ahasverus advena (Waltl)

Several studies have examined the toxicity of aflatoxin B1 to insects, but there have been very few studies on insects that are regularly exposed to this mycotoxin as part of their diet. Research reported the effect of the mycotoxin aflatoxin B1 in the diet on the fungus grain beetle, Ahasverus advena (Waltl), which is often found in moldy grain. The effects of aflatoxin B1 in diet on developmental time, survival rate and fecundity of A. advena were evaluated with artificial diets containing 0 to 16,000 ppm aflatoxin B1. Aflatoxin B1 increased one-day-old larvae developmental time at concentrations as low as 2000 ppm and increased larval mortality at concentration as low as 500 ppm. For one-day old larvae, there was 99% mortality at 8000 ppm. The LD50 for the one-day-old larvae, five-day-old larvae and adults were 1671, 2696, and 5768 ppm, respectively. The total number of offspring declined to 38 offspring at 4000 ppm aflatoxin B1 compared with 151 offspring in the untreated controls. Ahasverus advena was much less sensitive to aflatoxin B1 by 200–2000 times higher than other insects and other animals.

341 Supplementation of Sodium Bentonite Clay Did Not Alleviate the Negative Effect of Fumonisin B1 Contaminated Corn on Feed Preference and Nutrient Digestibility in Weanling Pigs.

Two experiments were performed to evaluate effects of corn naturally contaminated with fumonisin B1 (FB1 corn, containing 73 ppm fumonisin B1 and 0.07 ppm aflatoxin B1) on feed preference and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients in piglets and possible alleviating effects of sodium bentonite clay supplementation. Four dietary treatments were used: PC - positive control using clean corn, NC - negative control using 40% FB1 corn, PCC - PC with 0.50% sodium bentonite clay, and NCC - NC with 0.50% sodium bentonite clay. Experiment 1 used 36 crossbred pigs (18 barrows, 18 gilts; 10.49 ± 1.09 kg) for a preference evaluation. Three dietary comparisons were made: PC vs NC, PC vs NCC, and NC vs NCC. Each comparison involved 3 pens, each with 4 pigs (2 barrows and 2 gilts). Two feeders were placed in each pen and their positions changed 3 times a week for 2 weeks. Preference was shown for PC diet over NC diet (84.1 vs 15.9%, P = 0.0003) and NCC diet (92.7 vs 7.3%, P < 0.0001), as well as for NC diet over NCC diet (75.6 vs 24.4%, P < 0.05). Experiment 2 used 24 crossbred pigs (12 barrows, 12 gilts; 8.09 ± 1.13 kg) to detect effects of contaminated corn and sodium bentonite clay supplementation on performance and ATTD in piglets. Pigs were fed a common nursery diet for 7 days before being placed in stainless steel metabolism pens with 2 pigs each (1 barrow and 1 gilt) for 19 days. There were three collection periods (7, 7, and 5 d). Pigs and feeders were weighed at the beginning and end of each period with 0.5% indigo carmine used as a visual marker of the start/end point of each collection period. There was no effect of clay inclusion, or interaction, observed on the digestibility measures (P > 0.10). For the entire 19-d period, inclusion of 40% FB1 corn increased time of passage (26.2 vs 21.7 hr, P = 0.01), reduced daily DM intake (0.83 vs 0.91 kg/d, P < 0.05), and ATTD of DM (87.3 vs 88.9%, P = 0.02), energy, (87.3 vs 88.7, P = 0.07), and N (83.8 vs 86.8%, P = 0.01). With this combination of mycotoxins, the adverse effects observed on feed intake were of a greater magnitude than the adverse effects on ATTD. Clay addition to the diet had no positive benefit on any response measures.

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

Comparative ameliorative effect of Hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Brewer's yeast) against toxic impact of aflatoxin B1 in Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia)

Different ways have been used in an attempt to decrease the risk of aflatoxicosis in fish. This study was undertaken to compare the possible alleviative effects of hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae against the toxic impact of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on Oreochromis niloticus (O. niloticus). Therefore, 180 normal cultured monosex O. niloticus were randomly allocated into 6 equal groups. Group 1, was received the basal ration only. Group 2, was fed a basal ration supplemented with 0.5% HASCAS. Group 3, was fed a basal diet enriched with 0.25% Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Group 4, was received a diet intoxicated with 2.5 ppm aflatoxin B1. Group 5, was fed a diet intoxicated with 2.5 ppm AFB1 with 0.5% HSCAS. Group 6, was fed a diet intoxicated with 2.5 ppm AFB1 with 0.25% S. cerevisae. AFB1 intoxication induced mortality 16.67 %, leucopenia, lymphopenia, neutrophilia with a significant decrease in phagocytic % and index. Furthermore, significant increases in serum creatinine, ALT and ALP as well as a significant decrease in total protein, albumin and globulin were recorded. Moreover, accumulation of aflatoxin residues in O. niloticus flesh (5 ppb) and liver (15 ppb). While, supplementation of AFB1 intoxicated diet either with S. cerevisiae or HSCAS ameliorated the drastic effects of aflatoxin on O. niloticus and S. cerevisiae appear to be more effective in the protection of fish from aflatoxicosis than HSCAS.

Effect of dietary supplementation of mannanoligosaccharides on growth performance, ileal microbial counts, and jejunal morphology in broiler chicks exposed to aflatoxins

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) on growth performance, ileal microbial population, and jejunal morphology in aflatoxin-challenged broiler chicks. A total of 336 seven-day-old Ross broiler chicks were randomly assigned into 7 experimental treatments with 4 replicates of 12 chicks each. Experimental treatments consisted of a control group (unchallenged group), and a 2×3 factorial arrangement of treatments, including 2 aflatoxin levels (0.5 and 2ppm) and 3 supplemental MOS levels (0, 1, and 2g/kg). Broiler chicks were challenged with a mix of aflatoxins during 7–28 d of age. Results showed that increasing aflatoxin level resulted in a marked decrease (P<0.01) in average daily feed intake (ADFI) and subsequent average daily gain (ADG); consequently it impaired (P<0.001) feed conversion ratio (FCR). Dietary MOS supplementation increased ADFI (P<0.01) and ADG (P<0.001) in aflatoxin-challenged chicks, resulted in the improvements in FCR values. The retarded ADG was ameliorated by inclusion of 2g/kg of MOS into the diet of aflatoxin-challenged broiler chicks. Although incremental levels of aflatoxin decreased (P<0.05) carcass yield, dietary supplementation of MOS up to 2g/kg resulted in an increase in carcass yield. Contamination with 2ppm aflatoxin resulted in increases (P<0.001) in ileal enumerations of Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Klebsiella, and total negative bacteria at both 28 and 42 d of age. Although the lowest bacterial count was assigned to the control (unchallenged) group, supplemental MOS decreased ileal bacterial populations in aflatoxin-challenged broiler chicks. Dietary supplementation of 2g/kg of MOS was more effective (P<0.05) in depression of ileal microbial counts in broiler chicks challenged with 0.5ppm aflatoxin. Incremental levels of aflatoxin resulted in considerable (P<0.001) decreases in villi height, villi height to crypt depth ratio, villi absorptive area, and apparent villi absorptive area. Moreover, dietary aflatoxin contamination increased crypt depth, goblet cell counts, and lymphoid follicular diameter. These changes, however, were partly modulated by dietary MOS supplementation up to 2g/kg. The present results indicated that although aflatoxicosis reduced growth performance, dietary inclusion of MOS ameliorated the retarded growth via suppressing ileal pathogenic bacteria and enhancing absorptive surface area in broiler chicks.

Protective Influence of Gamma Rays and Electron-Beam Irradiation with a Commercial Toxin Binder on Toxic Effects of Aflatoxin B1 in Japanese Quails

Background: This cross sectional study was conducted to evaluate the effect of &amp;gamma-rays and electron-beam irradiation with a commercial toxin binder-milbond-TX on the performance, feed components, and meat quality of Japanese quails challenged with aflatoxin B1. Methods: Overall, 168 One-d-old chicks (Japanese quails) were allocated to eight treatments with three replicates based on a completely randomized design in a 2×4 factorial arrangement. Two levels of aflatoxin (Zero and 2 ppm) were considered as the essential factor. The secondary factor was involved in four levels (Control, 27 k Gy doses of &amp;gamma-rays, electron-beam irradiation, and 0.3% commercial toxin binder-milbond-TX). Results: In vitro condition showed that experiment diets do not have any effect on meat quality and feed components such as malondialdehyde, protein, fat, ash, and the dry matter. However, the highest and the lowest levels of feed intake and body weight gain were observed in the 7th treatment (2-ppm aflatoxin B1 + electron-beam irradiation) and the 2nd treatment (2-ppm aflatoxin B1 alone), respectively in 1-15 and 29-42 days (P&amp;le0.05). In addition, the highest liver weight (1.73), spleen (0.57) and bursa (0.18) were seen in the second treatment (2 ppm aflatoxin B1) alone (P&amp;le0.05) at the age of 42 days. Conclusion: &amp;gamma-rays and electron-beam irradiation plus commercial toxin binder-milbond-TX can be used for aflatoxin B1 absorption in poultry diets.

Ameliorative efficacy of citrus fruit oil in aflatoxicosis in broilers: a growth and biochemical study

An experiment was conducted to study the efficacy of citrus fruit oil on growth parameters and biochemical parameters of broilers in 4 groups with 2 replicates of 20 chicks in each. Standard broiler diet without aflatoxin was given to group A, basal diet + citrus fruit oil 2.5 g kg-1 to group B, basal diet + 1 ppm aflatoxin to group C, and 1 ppm aflatoxin + basal diet + citrus fruit oil 2.5 g kg-1 to group D. The results showed that supplementation in group D had a moderate effect on posttreatment growth performance, relative organ weight, and biochemical parameters. It is suggested that citrus fruit oil as a feed additive causes partial amelioration of aflatoxicosis.

Ameliorative efficacy of citrus fruit oil in aflatoxicosis in broilers: a growth and biochemical study

An experiment was conducted to study the efficacy of citrus fruit oil on growth parameters and biochemical parameters of broilers in 4 groups with 2 replicates of 20 chicks in each. Standard broiler diet without aflatoxin was given to group A, basal diet + citrus fruit oil 2.5 g kg^{-1} to group B, basal diet + 1 ppm aflatoxin to group C, and 1 ppm aflatoxin + basal diet + citrus fruit oil 2.5 g kg^{-1} to group D. The results showed that supplementation in group D had a moderate effect on posttreatment growth performance, relative organ weight, and biochemical parameters. It is suggested that citrus fruit oil as a feed additive causes partial amelioration of aflatoxicosis.

RNA-Seq Profiling Reveals Novel Hepatic Gene Expression Pattern in Aflatoxin B1 Treated Rats

Deep sequencing was used to investigate the subchronic effects of 1 ppm aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a potent hepatocarcinogen, on the male rat liver transcriptome prior to onset of histopathological lesions or tumors. We hypothesized RNA-Seq would reveal more differentially expressed genes (DEG) than microarray analysis, including low copy and novel transcripts related to AFB1’s carcinogenic activity compared to feed controls (CTRL). Paired-end reads were mapped to the rat genome (Rn4) with TopHat and further analyzed by DESeq and Cufflinks-Cuffdiff pipelines to identify differentially expressed transcripts, new exons and unannotated transcripts. PCA and cluster analysis of DEGs showed clear separation between AFB1 and CTRL treatments and concordance among group replicates. qPCR of eight high and medium DEGs and three low DEGs showed good comparability among RNA-Seq and microarray transcripts. DESeq analysis identified 1,026 differentially expressed transcripts at greater than two-fold change (p<0.005) compared to 626 transcripts by microarray due to base pair resolution of transcripts by RNA-Seq, probe placement within transcripts or an absence of probes to detect novel transcripts, splice variants and exons. Pathway analysis among DEGs revealed signaling of Ahr, Nrf2, GSH, xenobiotic, cell cycle, extracellular matrix, and cell differentiation networks consistent with pathways leading to AFB1 carcinogenesis, including almost 200 upregulated transcripts controlled by E2f1-related pathways related to kinetochore structure, mitotic spindle assembly and tissue remodeling. We report 49 novel, differentially-expressed transcripts including confirmation by PCR-cloning of two unique, unannotated, hepatic AFB1-responsive transcripts (HAfT’s) on chromosomes 1.q55 and 15.q11, overexpressed by 10 to 25-fold. Several potentially novel exons were found and exon refinements were made including AFB1 exon-specific induction of homologous family members, Ugt1a6 and Ugt1a7c. We find the rat transcriptome contains many previously unidentified, AFB1-responsive exons and transcripts supporting RNA-Seq’s capabilities to provide new insights into AFB1-mediated gene expression leading to hepatocellular carcinoma.

Amelioration of hepatotoxicity induced by aflatoxin using citrus fruit oil in broilers (Gallus domesticus)

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of citrus fruit oil (CFO; 2.5 g kg(-1)) on the clinicopathological changes in broilers fed with diets containing 1 ppm of aflatoxin (AF). A total of 160 Ross 308 broiler chicks of 1-day-old were procured from a commercial hatchery, divided randomly on 7th day of age into four groups with two replicates of 20 birds each and fed with basal diet (group A), basal diet + CFO (group B), basal diet + AF (group C) and CFO + basal diet + AF (group D). The gross and histopathological changes in the liver, kidney, spleen, thymus and bursa of Fabricius were investigated and relative organ weights were calculated. Slight to moderate hydropic degeneration, fatty change with the formation of cyst in some cases, periportal necrosis, infiltration of heterophils and mononuclear cells and bile duct hyperplasia were observed in chicks fed with 1 ppm AF-containing diet. The addition of CFO to AF-containing diet moderately decreased the magnitude and severity of lesions (hydropic degeneration and bile duct hyperplasia) in the liver. The supplementation of CFO to the basal diet did not produce any adverse effects in birds.

Potential use of beta-mannan from copra meal as a feed additive for broilers

The uses of a prebiotic to replace antibiotic growth promoters, mycotoxin and cholesterol binders in broiler diets have been commonly practiced over the last three decades. Many products have appeared commercially to replace antibiotic growth promoters and to tackle the problems of mycotoxins contamination. Mannose-based carbohydrates, particularly mannan-oligosaccharides from yeast, appear to have properties of coping with the mycotoxin related problems. Over the last three years, studies on the use of copra-mannan (CM) in this respect have produced promising results. CM has been found to effectively improve bird performance. When the birds were challenged against Escherichia coli, the supplementation of the feed with CMs was able to maintain growth performance of birds to the same level as the growth of birds fed commercial mannan-oligosaccharides or antibiotics. Contamination of feed with 0.3 ppm aflatoxin B1 reduced feed digestibility, but not when the feed was mixed with CM. The supplementation of the diet with CMs protects the birds from wet droppings when the birds were challenged by either Escherichia coli or aflatoxin contamination. Since there is a conflicting information about using mannans in the diet, particularly between using legume mannans as an antinutrient and yeast mannans as a pronutrient, this paper reviews the potential use of CMs for the purposes of promoting growth and improving health status of broiler chickens.

Effect of nanosilver on blood parameters in chickens having aflatoxicosis

This experiment is designed to investigate the positive effects of commercial nanosilver compound on blood parameters in experimental aflatoxicosis in broiler chickens. For this, 270 one-day-old broiler chickens were randomly divided into six treatment groups with three replicates. The experimental groups were group A: chickens fed with basal diet; group B: chickens fed with 3ppm productive aflatoxin in basal diet; groups of C, D, E and F received Mycoad (2.5 g/kg diet), Mycoad (2.5 g/kg diet) + productive aflatoxin (3 ppm), Nanocid (2500 ppm), and Nanocid (2500 ppm) + productive aflatoxin (3 ppm) in basal diet, respectively. Results revealed that some of the blood parameters such as mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration lymphocytes, neutrophils, basophils, monocytes, and eosinophils percentage were not affected in this experiment; whereas, hemoglobin percentage and white blood cell (WBC) count in all the groups fed with 3ppm aflatoxin except nanocid+aflatoxin decreased significantly (p<0.05). There are no significant differences between the groups that received nanocid+aflatoxin and mycoad+aflatoxin in hemoglobin percentage and WBC count parameters. The red blood cell count and hematocrit in chickens received aflatoxin were significantly lower than other groups (p<0.05). Therefore, this study suggests that nanocid similar as mycoad can be useful in reducing the adverse effects of aflatoxin on blood parameters in chickens affected with aflatoxicosis.