BACKGROUND: In nature, there are herbal extracts, while capable of reducing aflatoxin B1 in agricultural product by different mechanisms, may also act as growth promoters. OBJECTIVES: In this study, aqueous extract of T. daenensis was evaluated to detoxify contaminated feed with aflatoxin B1 and to determine the effect of growth promoters in Japanese quail. METHODS: To this purpose, at 24 d of age, quails were separated by sex and 80 male quails were randomly divided into experimental units with equal weight and number. The dietary treatments were as follows: 1. basal diet (B), 2. B + AFB1 (500 mg/kg of feed), 3. B + aqueous extract of T. daenensis (2000 mg/kg of feed), 4. B + AFB1 (500 mg/kg of feed) + aqueous extract of T. daenensis (2000 mg/kg of feed). Feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and serum total protein were determined at day 45. RESULTS: The results showed that aflatoxin significantly decreased feed intake, body weight gain and total blood protein but increased FCR (p<0.05). The extract significantly increased feed intake and body weight gain, but decreased FCR (p<0.05). The extract did not have any effect on total blood protein. There was an interaction effect between aflatoxin and extract (p<0.05), so that feed intake, body weight gain, FCR and total blood protein were improved in birds offered diet with aflatoxin and extract. CONCLUSIONS: According to the study, the extract has improved the performance in birds and the negative effect of aflatoxin on performance was significantly decreased in birds offered diet with the extract.

BACKGROUND: The hazardous nature of aflatoxins to human and animals necessitate the establishment of control measures. ObjectiveS: The effect of two medicinal plants, Satureja khozistanica and Satureja macrosiphon, was studied on inhibiting Aspergillus flavus growth and reducing aflatoxin B1-content in the liquid medium. Methods: Essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation method, using a Clevenger-type apparatus. Various extracts of plant materials were macerated with various extraction solvents (ethanol, ethanol70% and water extracts). Essential oils (0, 62/5, 125, 250, 375 and 500 mg/l) and various extracts (0, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 and 6000 mg/l) of S. khozistanica and S. macrosiphon were examined for reducing A. flavus growth and it’s AFB1-content in the liquid medium. Amount of aflatoxinB1 was evaluated by high performance thin layer chromatographymethod. Results: Essential oil of S. khozistanica at the concentration of 375 mg/l as well as its ethanol and ethanol 70% extracts at 4000 and 6000 mg/l  respectively caused complete inhibition of fungus mycelial growth, whereas essential oil and extracts of S. macrosiphon couldn’t inhibit Aspergillus growth completely even at the maximum concentration. Essential oils of S. khozistanica and S. macrosiphonia at the concentration of 250 mg/l reduced AFB1-production 98 and 33.52% respectively. Various Extracts of S. khozistanica exhibited stronger anti-AFB1-biosyntesis activity than those of S. macrosiphon, so that, ethanol, ehanol70% and aqueous extracts of S. khozistanica at 4000 mg/l reduced 100, 96 and 32.37% of AFB1-production, respectively. On the contrary, essential oils, ethanol and ehanol70% extracts of both plants couldn’t significantly degrade AFB1-contamination, whereas aqueous extractsof S. khozistanica and S. macrosiphonia at the concentration of 4000 mg/l resulted in degradation of 25 and 32.16% AFB1-content, respectively. ConclusionS: In general, Essential oil and ethanol extract of S. khozistanica considerably inhibited A. flavus growth as well as AFB1-biosynthesis while aqueous extract of S. macrosiphon showed strong AFB1-degradation activity.

BACKGROUND: Aflatoxins are mainly developed during the storage of feedstuffs, and their destruction is difficult after the occurrence. The most practical strategy to combat aflatoxins is the use of mycotoxin binders. OBJECTIVES: Comparison of the efficiency of traditional and lab-synthesized polymeric mycotoxin binder with gastrointestinal microflora modulating feed additives in amelioration of aflatoxin effects in broiler chicken. METHODS: A total of 240 1-day old broilers (Ross 308, straight forward) were examined in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates of 12 birds for 24 days of study duration. Treatments were: 1. The negative control, feed without aflatoxin or any feed additive, 2. The positive control, aflatoxins contaminated feed (500 µg/kg), 3. Aflatoxins + probiotic (Hypro Tect), 4. Aflatoxins + molecular imprinted polymer (MIP), and 5. Aflatoxins + commercial toxin-binder (Zarin-binder). The growth performance of birds was measured during the experiment. At the end of the experiment, some biochemical and immunological analyses were performed on blood samples. Some bone characteristics were studied on tibia samples. RESULTS: Supplementation of probiotics and toxin-binder in aflatoxin-contaminated feed improved the aflatoxin-induced reduction of feed intake and body weight gain in the first 10 days of the experiment (p < /em><0.05), compared to positive control group. Aflatoxin alone (the positive control) or with the feed additives did not affect feed conversion ratio. Aflatoxin reduced the levels of serum total protein, albumin, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc (p < /em><0.05). Use of probiotic, MIP and commercial toxin-binder, in aflatoxin-contaminated feeds, has alleviated the adverse effects of aflatoxin on serum albumin (p < /em><0.05). The tibia weight increased in probiotic and MIP fed broilers compared to the birds fed aflatoxin-contaminated feed without additives-the positive control (p < /em><0.05). The highest tibia breaking strength was observed in probiotic fed birds, which was different from that of the positive control group. The tibia length was decreased by the aflatoxin compared to the negative control birds (p < /em><0.05). Anti-SRBC titers were decreased in aflatoxin contaminated group without feed additive supplementation-positive control (p < /em><0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The tested feed additives in present study exerted just partial protection against some aflatoxicosis effects. The extent of effectiveness of studied feed additives in amelioration of aflatoxicosis affects on performance, immunological, skeletal and serum biochemical parameters could be ranked as probiotics, MIP and toxin binder, respectively.

BACKGROUND: Aflatoxins are natural fungal toxins that weaken the immune system and damage the liver. OBJECTIVES: The effects of seeds and whole plant powder and extract of Milk thistle (MT) plant in reducing the negative effects of feeding aflatoxin (AF) on broiler chickens blood parameters and immune response were examined. METHODS: 192 one-day old chicks (Ross 308) for 35 days in a completely randomized design with six treatments, four replicates and eight birds per repetition were used. The experimental treatments included: 1) control, 2) contaminated control (CC), 3) CC + 0.5 percent of MT seed powder, 4) CC + 1 percent MT plant powder, 5) CC + 600mg/kg MT plant extract, 6) CC + 1000mg/kg MT plant extract. RESULTS: The treatments had no significant effect on plasma concentrations CHOL, HDL, LDL, ALP, LDH, AST, ImG and ImM. Feeding contaminated diet increased alanine aminotransferase enzyme compared with healthy control (P≤0.05). The addition of 0.5 percent MT seed powder, 1 percent MT plant powder and 1000mg/kg MT plant extract to the contaminated diets decreased alanine aminotransferase enzyme compared to the contaminated control (P≤0.05). Inclusion of 1 percent MT plant powder to AF infected diet significantly increased the antibody titer compared with healthy control and contaminated control (P≤0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that compared to other treatments, 1 percent MT plant powder was more effective in reducing the negative effects of feeding AF in broiler chickens.

A total of 186 samples comprising of poultry feed ingredients (n=114) and finished poultry feeds (n=72) were analyzed for the detection of total aflatoxin (TA) and ochratoxin A (OTA). The concentrations of TA and OTA in the samples were determined using direct competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Overall incidence of TA was recorded as 80.64% (n=150/186); whereas, in the feed ingredients, it was 86.84% (n=99/114), and in the finished feeds, the incidence of TA was 70.83% (n=51/72). Corn, cotton seed meal, sunflower meal, and cotton gluten meal were found to be highly (100%) contaminated with TA. The OTA was determined in 63.15% (n=72/114) and 29.17% (n=21/72) feed ingredients, and finished feed samples, respectively, with an overall incidence of 50% (n=93/186). Maximum level of OTA contamination (100%) was recorded in corn gluten meal. However, no feed contained OTA above the acceptable level as set by the European Union on OTA contamination in poultry finished feed. On the other hand, a number of samples contained TA above the acceptable limit. Thus, immediate control measures should be taken to ensure safe poultry for human consumption.

From several stores and butchers in Mansoura city, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt, 120 samples of sausage, beef burger, minced meat, luncheon, hot dog and canned meat were collected (20 each). The samples examined for detection of total mould count and identification if mould into genera and species in addition to quantification of aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2. Mould detected in 100% of all examined raw meat products meanwhile, detected in 25%, 30% and 15% of examined luncheon, hotdog, and canned meat, respectively. Heat treated meat products significantly (P<0.05) contained lower mould count than raw meat products.  Eight mould genera detected in all examined meat products with varying percentages in descending order Aspergillus > Penicillium > Cladosporium > Sporotricum > Alternaria > Mucor > Fusarium > Curvularia . The mean values of aflatoxin B1 were 0.78±0.21, 1.1±0. 55, 1.54±0.40, 0.052±0.032, 2.21±0.87 and 1.88±0.41 µg/kg in sausage, beef burger, minced meat, luncheon, hot dog and canned meat, respectively. Minced meat significantly lower than other examined meat products in level of aflatoxin B1(P< 0.05). Aflatoxin B2 and G2 not detected in all examined samples. The aflatoxin G1 detected in two samples of beef burger with a mean value 1.15±0.065 µg/kg and in one sample of canned meat 0.62 µg/kg. A food safety management system as hazard analysis and critical control points should be adopted by meat producers in order to protect human health.

Aflatoxins (AFs) are mycotoxins produced by numerous species of Aspergillus. AFs contaminate agricultural commodities and thus feed and food including milk. So, this study aimed to assess the effect of the feeding type on the occurrence of AFM1 in camel milk. A total of 45 camel milk samples were obtained from the natural grazing herd in Shalatin (n= 20) and small scales farm breeding in Daraw (n= 25) in the period between September to December 2021. AFM1 levels were determined in these samples using the Vicam method. A significant difference was found between AFM1 levels in milk samples from herds of camels kept in a traditional environment (Natural grazing) and that in samples from camels in semi-intensive management systems (On-farm). Of note, all milk samples obtained from the nomadic area were free from AFM1, whereas, in the camel milk samples collected from a semi-intensive farm, AFM1 was reported in eight samples (32%) with 2 (8%) samples exceeding the EU Limits of 0.05 µg/ kg and 6 (24%) samples below such EU Limits. In conclusion, there was high contamination of milk samples obtained from camels reared on-farm with AFM1, while milk samples of camels naturally grazed were negative for AFM1. Therefore, milk hygiene from the farm, chilling, and distribution should be evaluated to reduce AFM1 levels in milk.

One of the most desired and promising diets in Egypt is beef products. It is an enriched media for mycotoxins. The occurrence of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species is inspected in commercial beef products, HPLC-quantitative amount of aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, and G2 excesses, and genetic identification of aflatoxin regulatory gene (aflR1) by conventional PCR. Two hundred and forty commercial products (minced meat, beef kofta, beef sausage, beef burger, beef luncheon, frozen meat, beef frozen liver, chicken luncheon, chicken burger, chicken frozen liver, mloha, and fesikh; n=20 for each) were collected from different markets at Aswan City, Egypt. Enumeration, isolation, and identification of mold species were carried to each sample. The amount of aflatoxins was measured using HPLC. Genetic identification of the aflR1 gene in Aspergillus was performed using PCR. Mloha samples recorded the highest total mold count whereas the beef luncheon recorded the lowest mould count. Four fungal genera were identified and Aspergillus spp recorded the main with an incidence of 25.8%. By PCR, the aflR1 gene was productively augmented in all the tested Aspergillus spp. The findings illustrated that among the samples that were examined; the prevalence of AFB1 was 65%, followed by AFG2 at 63%, AFB2 at 40%, and AFG1 at 30%. Additionally, mloha (724.2±14.6), poultry frozen liver (288±6.7), and beef frozen liver (91.6±12.2) had higher mean values of total aflatoxins contamination than other samples. Every sample that has been analyzed shows a positive correlation between the amount of reduced total mycotoxins found in the samples and the increased dose of gamma irradiation used to treat the samples. Conclusion: Aflatoxin is frequently linked to meat, poultry, and fish, as well as the products made from these foods. The production of aflatoxin in meat, as well as the products made from it, creates a danger to the public’s health. Thus, the most effective way to prevent aflatoxigenic mould contamination during the product’s production stages is to apply stringent hygienic standards when processing meat products and to use high-quality flavoring agents as spices.

Medicinal herbs are modern feed additives for poultry that have antioxidant, anti-microbial, and immune-modulatory impacts. In this study, the protective effects of medicinal natural herbs (Herb-AllTM LIVER) on performance, litter, immunity, biochemical changes, and histopathological changes in broilers fed Mycotoxins-contaminated diets were assessed. One-day-old chicks were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n=120). Group A was fed a standard commercial diet; Group B was fed a standard diet + (Herb-AllTM LIVER); Group C (positive control) was fed a Mycotoxins-contaminated diet, and Group D received a Mycotoxins-contaminated diet + Herb-AllTM LIVER. Performance, litter hygiene, immunity, and histopathological changes were determined. Results indicated that herbal supplements (B and D) significantly improved the body weight gain and FCR of birds. Also, litter hygiene, blood indices, antibody titers, and organ functions were enhanced. In group D, liver and kidney histological architectures were mostly restored, as well as Caspase-3 and TNF expressions were moderately enhanced. It can be concluded that using Herb-AllTM LIVER as a feed additive reduces the adverse effects of Mycotoxins on broilers.

High performance thin layer chromatographic method was developed and validated according to the protocol on “Validation of Analytical Procedures: Methodology, Veterinary International Cooperation on Harmonization (VICH)” with respect to linearity, sensitivity, precision and accuracy for determination of aflatoxin B1 in feed ingredients and feed. Chromatography was performed on thin layer chromatography (TLC) silica gel 60F254, aluminum sheets by Camag Linomat-5 applicator, with mobile phase condition acetone : chloroform (1 : 9). Analysis of samples viz. feed ingredients and feed, for aflatoxin B1was carried by HPTLC method and compared with TLC method. Extraction of aflatoxin was done as per AOAC method with screening and quantification by TLC and further quantification by HPTLC using reference standards. Out of 38 samples of nine types of feed ingredients analysed, samples of Bengal gram and rice bran &amp; wheat bran mixture were negative by both methods. The other ingredients like cumbu/bajra, de-oiled rice bran, groundnut oil cake, maize, soyabean meal and sunflower oil cake, by HPTLC method wherein the Aflatoxin B1was found to be ranging from 1.61 ppb to 630.73 ppb of 77.42% positive samples, whereas by TLC method it was from 05 ppb to 140 ppb in 70.97% positive samples. While 4 samples of wheat bran analysed were all negative for Aflatoxin B1 by TLC method, whereas 50% (2 samples) found to be positive with HPTLC method with concentration ranging from 2.73 to 17.88.Similarly out of 59 feed samples analysed, 47 and 46 samples were positive for Aflatoxin B1 representing 79.66% and 77.97% of the samples, with concentration ranging from 0.54 ppb to 204.72 ppb and from 05 ppb to 710 ppb by HPTLC and TLC respectively. In the present study, the Limit of detection by HPTLC was 0.5 ppb whereas it was 5 ppb with TLC method.