Abstract

Five different samples of poultry feeds were obtained from two different markets in Ibadan, Oyo State. These are broiler starter, broiler finisher, grower mash, layer mash and chick mash. The mycological analyses were carried out for the identification of molds naturally contaminating different poultry feeds. Also, aflatoxin concentration was determined. The fungi isolated include Aspergillus flavus (L-strain), Aspergillus parasiticus, Aspergillus tamarii, and Rhizopus specie. A. parasitcus was significantly higher in aflatoxin B₁ (35499.24 µg/kg) than A. flavus B₁ (13.27 µg/kg). For aflatoxin B_2,A. flavus was significantly higher in concentration (4450.19 µg/kg) while A. parasiticuswas significantly lower in concentration (1285.55 µg/kg). For aflatoxin G_1, A.parasiticus was significantly higher (967.60 µg/kg) than A. flavus which is significantly lower in concentration (757.98 µg/kg). A. parasiticus produced 1373.12 µg/kg quantity of Aflatoxin G₂. Hence there is an increase of aflatoxicosis in poultry feeds that has been contaminated with molds.

Key words: Poultry feeds, fungi, aflatoxin.