Abstract

The safety of Aspergillus oryzae used in industrial fermentations of food-grade products has long been recognized. However, production of fungal toxic secondary metabolites is strain-specific and environment-dependent. For these reasons, the present study aimed to conduct a mycotoxicological study of the strain H/6.28.1 of A. oryzae (from the collection of the Cuban Institute of Sugar Cane Derivatives Research), intended for use as microbial feed additive for ruminants. Analysis of mycotoxins in fungal culture extracts was carried out by thin layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. Results show that the strain under study does not produce detectable levels of aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁, G₂ and "ochratoxin". Cyclopiazonic acid was detected at level of 14.47 µg·ml^-1, which has negligible toxicology significance for animal health. It is concluded that the A. oryzae evaluated could be used as a feed additive for ruminants.

Key words: Aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, cyclopiazonic acid, A. oryzae, feed additive.