The current study is aimed to investigate the fungal contaminants in fish feed. Isolation of fungi was conducted on modified dichloran 18% glycerol agar (DG18) and potato dextrose agar (PDA). Feed samples were assayed for aflatoxins using HPLC. A total of 43 species belonging to 19 fungal genera recovered from 45 fish feed samples. Aspergillus and Penicillium were the most predominant genera with isolation frequency values indicated the retrieval capability of DG18 over PDA medium. For instance, Aspergillus spp. recorded 60%, 53.3% while Penicillium spp. were 33.3%, 17.8% on DG18 and PDA respectively via direct plating. 41.4% of the tested isolates were mycotoxin producers. Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 were detected by 6 out of 10 screened Aspergillus isolates. Fumitremorgens, Gliotoxin, Ochratoxin A and B, and Zeralenone were also detected. The feed samples of high total count percentages (TC%) of A. flavus recorded the highest incidence of aflatoxins B2, G1 and G2 (2.3, 35.3 and 7.8 ng/g respectively). Meanwhile, the highest B1 concentration (3.7 ng/g) was recorded for the highest TC% interval studied (1:9 cfu/g). Thus, it is important to monitor the fungal load and mycotoxins in fish feed periodically using proper practical approaches.

Aflatoxins are one of the most dangerous toxic residues in various foods including poultry. This study was conducted to assess the reducing effect of gamma radiation on the levels of aflatoxin B1 in poultry meat, skin, and liver. To this end, a total of 80 poultry samples including meat, skin, and liver were surveyed for the incidence of aflatoxins, where only positive samples (27 samples of muscle, skin, and liver; 9 samples each) were selected for testing the effect of treatment by gamma radiation. The levels of aflatoxins were estimated in the examined samples using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) whereas positive samples were exposed to 0 kGy, 5 kGy, or 10 kGy, and the differences in aflatoxin contents before and after exposure were calculated. The obtained results clarified that radiation achieved reduction rates in aflatoxin B1 level in muscle samples with a mean value 99.259±0.741, and 100.00±0.00% when treated with 5 kGy and 10 kGy, respectively. Whereas in skin samples, 98.676±1.324 and 100.00±0.00 % when treated 5 kGy and 10 kGy, respectively. While in liver samples, reduction rates accounted for 84.312±7.406 and 88.249±10.882 were obtained when treated with 5 kGy and 10 kGy, respectively. In conclusion, the exposure of poultry meat, skin, and liver to gamma radiation (5kGy or 10 kGy) has a significant reducing effect (p<0.05) in aflatoxins B1. The results were discussed from the hygienic point of view and compared with the national and international standards to assess their reliability for consumption.

Mycotoxins are considered hidden dangers that threaten the poultry industry globally because they suppress the immunity of birds, reduce their production, and increase their chance of being infected with diseases, which exposes the poultry industry to enormous economic losses. Therefore, this investigation aimed to assess the effectiveness of VemoZyme Detox®, a novel enzymatic detoxifier, in mitigating the detrimental consequences of mycotoxin contamination in broiler chickens. The experiment involved 10,000-day-old, Cobb 500 broiler chicks, which were allotted into two groups of 5000 birds each as follows: T1: received a control basal diet; and T2: birds were provided with a basal diet supplemented with VemoZyme Detox®. The birds underwent comprehensive monitoring, including evaluations of growth performance, blood parameters, mycotoxin levels, hepatic histopathological alterations, and litter bacteriological counts. Broilers receiving dietary VemoZyme Detox® exhibited significant improvements in various aspects, including growth performance, reduced mortality rates, and more favorable feed conversion ratios. Moreover, the enzymatic supplement played a protective role in maintaining hepatic and renal health, as evidenced by reductions in blood aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), uric acid, and creatinine. Importantly, although there was no significant difference in mycotoxin levels (zearalenone, fumonisin B1, ochratoxin A, aflatoxin B1) within the feed, VemoZyme Detox® had a significant impact on decreasing mycotoxin levels, particularly those of zearalenone and fumonisin B1. Hepatic histological examinations also revealed healthier conditions in T2, and positive impacts extended to litter samples, as indicated by reduced counts of Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) counts. In conclusion, the use of an enzymatic detoxifier is a promising method for counteracting the negative impacts of mycotoxin contamination in broilers. The results underscore the substantial potential of enzymatic detoxifiers for ensuring the health and productivity of broilers, opening new avenues for safer poultry production.