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Veterinary research communications2007; 31(8); 1037-1045; doi: 10.1007/s11259-007-0028-1

The mycobiota and toxicity of equine feeds.

Abstract: Feed contamination can lead to nutrient losses and detrimental effects on animal health and production. The purposes of this study were to investigate the mycobiota in equine mixed feeds and to determine natural contamination with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FB1). Fungal enumeration of equine feed samples was done. A commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was applied to quantify AFB1 and FB1. A comparison between ELISA and HPLC was carried out. Feed mould counts ranged from <1 x 10(2) to 1 x 10(5) cfu/g. The most frequent genus isolated was Aspergillus (40.54%), followed by Penicillium (18.38%) and Fusarium (16.22%). The most prevalent Aspergillus sp. was A. flavus (36%). AFB1 values ranged between 0.01 and 99.4 microg/kg. FB(1) levels ranged between 0.01 and 7.49 microg/kg. HPLC and ELISA methods showed positive correlation for AFB1 and FB1 determinations (r = 0.9851 and r = 0.9791, respectively). The ELISA analytical method was efficient for AFB1 and FB1 detection. The scarcity of studies on natural fungal contamination and on the presence of AFB1 and FB1 in materials used as equine feed ingredients highlights the value and contribution of this study.
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Publication Date: 2007-02-06 PubMed ID: 17285246DOI: 10.1007/s11259-007-0028-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article investigates the prevalence and effects of fungal (mycobiota) contamination in equine animal feed. The authors assess the contamination levels of two dangerous toxins, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FB1), and examine the efficiency of different methods for toxin detection.

Objectives and Methodology of Research

The main purposes of the study were

  • Exploring the levels of fungal contamination in equine mixed feeds.
  • Determining the natural presence of two specific mycotoxins (toxins produced by fungi): aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FB1).

To carry out this study, the researchers employed a method known as fungal enumeration on feed samples to estimate the overall fungal count. More specifically, they used a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit to quantify AFB1 and FB1 levels in these feeds, and then compared the results to those reported by another detection method, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Findings of the Study

The results indicated:

  • Feed mould counts ranged between less than 1 x 10(2) to 1 x 10(5) colony-forming units per gram (cfu/g).
  • The most commonly isolated fungal genus was Aspergillus, accounting for 40.54% of all detected fungi, followed by Penicillium (18.38%) and Fusarium (16.22%).
  • Among all detected Aspergillus species, A.flavus was the most frequent with a ratio of 36%.
  • The presence of AFB1 varied between 0.01 to 99.4 micrograms per kilogram (μg/kg), and that of FB1 ranged from 0.01 to 7.49 μg/kg in the equine feeds.

The Efficiency of ELISA Method

When comparing ELISA and HPLC methods for detecting the toxins, a positive correlation was observed for AFB1 (r = 0.9851) and FB1 (r = 0.9791). This supports the conclusion that the ELISA method used in this study was highly efficient for detecting AFB1 and FB1.

Significance of the Study

According to the authors, this study’s contribution is significant owing to the scarcity of research on natural fungal contamination and the presence of AFB1 and FB1 in ingredients used for equine feed. Therefore, the study provides valuable information that sheds light on the potential risks associated with feed contamination and its impact on animal health and the efficiency of different mycotoxin detection methods.

Cite This Article

APA
Keller KM, Queiroz BD, Keller LA, Ribeiro JM, Cavaglieri LR, Pereyra ML, Dalcero AM, Rosa CA. (2007). The mycobiota and toxicity of equine feeds. Vet Res Commun, 31(8), 1037-1045. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-007-0028-1

Publication

Veterinary research communications
ISSN: 0165-7380
NlmUniqueID: 8100520
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 31
Issue: 8
Pages: 1037-1045

Researcher Affiliations

Keller, K M
  • Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Veterinária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Queiroz, B D
    Keller, L A M
      Ribeiro, J M M
        Cavaglieri, L R
          Pereyra, M L González
            Dalcero, A M
              Rosa, C A R

                MeSH Terms

                • Aflatoxin B1 / analysis
                • Aflatoxin B1 / poisoning
                • Animal Feed / microbiology
                • Animals
                • Aspergillus / isolation & purification
                • Aspergillus / metabolism
                • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / veterinary
                • Colony Count, Microbial / veterinary
                • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
                • Fumonisins / analysis
                • Fumonisins / poisoning
                • Fusarium / isolation & purification
                • Fusarium / metabolism
                • Horse Diseases / metabolism
                • Horse Diseases / microbiology
                • Horses
                • Penicillium / isolation & purification
                • Penicillium / metabolism

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                Citations

                This article has been cited 5 times.
                1. Ghaemmaghami SS, Pashootan N, Razzaghi-Abyaneh M. Toxigenicity and phylogeny of Aspergillus section Flavi in poultry feed in Iran. Curr Med Mycol 2020;6(1):22-29.
                  doi: 10.18502/cmm.6.1.2504pubmed: 32420504google scholar: lookup
                2. Pereyra CM, Cavaglieri LR, Chiacchiera SM, Dalcero AM. Mycobiota and mycotoxins contamination in raw materials and finished feed intended for fattening pigs production in eastern Argentina. Vet Res Commun 2011 Aug;35(6):367-79.
                  doi: 10.1007/s11259-011-9483-9pubmed: 21604058google scholar: lookup
                3. Pereyra CM, Cavaglieri LR, Chiacchiera SM, Dalcero AM. Fungi and mycotoxins in feed intended for sows at different reproductive stages in Argentina. Vet Med Int 2010;2010:569108.
                  doi: 10.4061/2010/569108pubmed: 20613957google scholar: lookup
                4. Almeida I, Martins HM, Marques MF, Magalhães S, Bernardo F. Mycobiota and Ochratoxin A in laboratory mice feed: preliminary study. Vet Res Commun 2010 Apr;34(4):381-6.
                  doi: 10.1007/s11259-010-9356-7pubmed: 20422286google scholar: lookup
                5. Eidaroos NH, Algammal AM, Mabrok M, Elgendy MY, Elsayed ME, El-Diasty EM, El-Khamisy SM, El-Tarabili RM. A Prospective Approach for Screening of Potential Evolution of Aflatoxins in Fish and Fish Feed: Molecular and Afla Fluorometry Assays. Curr Microbiol 2025 Apr 1;82(5):221.
                  doi: 10.1007/s00284-025-04213-1pubmed: 40169420google scholar: lookup
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