Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin notably produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract (BSFE) contains specific enzymes which hydrolyse OTA. This study evaluated the efficiency of BSFE in ameliorating the immunotoxic and nephrotoxic effects of OTA in broiler chickens.

Multi-class and multi-residue analyses are very complex procedures because of the physico-chemical properties of veterinary drug residues and other contaminants. The purpose of the study was to develop an analytical method for the sensitive determination of 69 analytes in bovine milk by liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation–tandem mass spectrometry.

The results are presented of the inter-laboratory validation of a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of eight mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, fumonisin B1, fumonisin B2, ochratoxin A, toxin T-2, toxin HT-2 and zearalenone) in animal feeds.

Fish and fish products represent major contributors to supply humans with part of their needs of the essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, omega -3-fatty acids, and other needed micronutrients. However, fish and fish products are highly perishable foods that can easily spoiled and decomposed, possibly because of its cross contamination from the surrounding environment. Fish attracts a vast array of microorganisms, of these; mould and yeast represent a major sector of these microbiota, which by turn van lead to rapid decomposition of fish or even produce several toxicological implications if ingested. In this review, we will highlight the available literature about mould contamination of fish and fish products with a special reference to its public health significance.

The current research was designed to examine the protective effect of probiotic-fortified ration against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) toxicity and its residual level in broilers' edible tissues. Sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD) was used for measuring the toxin. Ninety, one-day-old Cobb chicks were allocated into three equal groups (n=30) with three replicates per group. The first control group (G1) was fed a balanced basal diet only and the second group (G2) received AFB1 (2 mg/kg basal diet), while the third group (G3) received a combination of AFB1 (2 mg/kg basal diet) with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC; 1.5 g/Kg basal diet). Experimental birds were monitored for 6 weeks, their growth performance was then compared. AFB1 residue was assessed in the meat and liver sample. AFB1 resulted in a significant (P<0.05) reduction of growth performance parameters such as body weight and carcass yield in comparison to the control and SC supplemented groups. Moreover, AFB1 residue significantly (P<0.05) diminished in SC fortified group when compared with the AFB1 group. In conclusion, probiotics such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae could be considered as a potential feed additive and a growth promoter. Besides, its role in controlling AFB1 residue in the edible tissues of boiler chicken.

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.