Isolation and Identification of Mycotoxigenic Organisms in Poultry Feed from Selected Locations in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

Feed contamination by fungi can lead to nutrient losses and detrimental effects on animal health and production. This present study was designed to isolate and identify the mycological contamination of poultry feeds in some selected parts of Abia state (farms and feed depots in Umuahia north, Osisioma and its environs). A total of 120 samples were collected and used for the study. The samples were screened and processed using spread plate technique. The isolates were identified using slide culture technique. From the samples collected, the fungi contamination in feed samples from depots in Umuahia was 50%, Osisioma 78% and in farms it was 85%. Five fungi organisms were isolated from the feed sample which includes Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Mucor and yeast which were seen in almost all the feed samples. Aspergilllus (87%) recorded the highest percentage occurrence, followed by Penicillium (27%), Fusarium (24%), yeast (5%) and Mucor (2%). The total fungi load was significant at 2.0 × 105CFU/g=1 for feed samples from Umuahia North Local government Area, 7× 105CFU/g=1 from Osisioma feed depot and 1× 106CFU/g=1 from poultry farms thereby making the feed samples unsafe for poultry consumption. Therefore, there is need for screening of feeds in these locations in Abia state due to its high fungal load and percentage contamination.