Fungal Composition and Proximate Analysis of Poultry Feeds Sold in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Poultry farming contributes significantly to poverty alleviation by providing employment opportunities to Nigerians. Feed quality is the most prominent challenge of the poultry sector. This study was aimed at assessing the fungal and proximate qualities of poultry feeds sold in Benin City, Nigeria. Poultry feed samples (starter, grower and finisher) were obtained from five stores in Benin City. Enumeration and isolation of fungi was carried out using the spread plate method on potato dextrose agar and Aspergillus flavus and parasiticus agar (AFPA). Identification of fungal isolates was based on cultural and morphological characteristics. Proximate composition was determined by standard methods. The total fungal counts of starter, grower and finisher feeds ranged from 0.10 – 8.50 x 105 sfu/g. Fungal species isolated were Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium spp., Saccharomyces spp., Trichoderma spp., Rhizopus spp. and Mucor spp. The results from proximate analysis were as follows: 36.50±0.92 - 70.92±0.51% (protein), 3.53±0.04 - 8.45±0.16% (fibre), 11.61±0.72 - 13.91±0.27% (fat), 2.70 - 8.60% (moisture content) and 3.65 - 37.83% (carbohydrate). The temperature and relative humidity of storage ranged from 33.90oC - 35.20oC and 69% - 75% respectively. Results showed that poultry feeds sampled have diverse fungi present in them. Control measures should be adhered to in poultry industries and stores to prevent microbial contamination.

Contamination of Locally Compounded Poultry Feeds and Ingredients by Fungi of the Genus Penicillium and Aspergillus within Three Agro-Ecological Zones of Nigeria

“…Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger were isolated from 100% of the compounded feeds in this study, making them the most predominant species in the samples. This is in line with the findings of [12,13] who reported A. flavus and A. niger as the most predominant species isolated from poultry feeds southwest Nigeria and Iran respectively. Similarly, the results of this study are also in consonance with the work of [14,15] Pakistan and [16] Brazil who reported A. flavus and A. niger as predominant species contaminating poultry feeds whereas the study by [10] describe only Aspergillus niger as the most frequently isolated species in feed samples and ingredients.…”

Proximate Composition and Metabolizable Energy of Some Commercial Poultry Feeds Available in Abuja, Nigeria

“…The crude fibre content (% dry weight) in the different feed brands ranged between 3.57 ± 0.11 -14.77 ± 0.14 % (Figure 4). The present result is higher than 3.53 ± 0.04 -8.45 ± 0.16 %, 5.27 -10.39 %, 4.3 -9.0 % and 2.89 -6.60 % crude fibre contents published in Ogbebor et al (2021), Ojabo and Wunduga (2020), Okafor and Ezebuo (2014) and Vakili et al (2015) respectively whereas 3.41 ± 0.17 -15.90 ± 6.46 % and 1.70 -38.75 % observed in Bukar and Saeed (2014) and Bukar and Saeed (2015) respectively were higher crude fibre contents. The mean values of the starter, grower and finisher rations of the feed brands exceeded the SON (2018) crude fibre maximum recommended limit of 5.00 %, 7.00 % and 5.00 % respectively except the layer ration (Figure 4).…”

“…95 -20.47 ± 12.67 %, 6.84 -35.56 % and 5.46 -22.06 % respectively. On the contrary, Dewa and Tikau (2019), Hasan et al (2022), Ogbebor et al (2021), Ojabo and Wunduga (2020), Okafor and Ezebuo (2014) and Vakili et al (2015) obtained lower ash contents in poultry feeds than the present study ranging from 8.05 ± 0.57 -12.28 ± 0.41 %, 8.81 ± 0.03 -8.97 ± 0.05 %, 3.69 ± 0.32 -4.99 ± 0.33 %, 7.31 -12.76 %, 1.90 -2.00 % and 4.01 -6.70 % respectively. In a study by Ofori et al (2006), it was reported that low ash content of the feed pre-disposes birds to diseases and poor egg shell formation.…”

“…Lipid component in poultry feed helps to increase overall energy concentration and in turn improve productivity and feed efficiency (NRC, 1994). Baiao and Lara (2005) and Ravindran (2013) reported that fat in poultry diet increases palatability of feed and enhances the absorption of fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Bukar and Saeed (2014), Bukar and Saeed (2015), Dewa and Tikau (2019), Hasan et al (2022), Ofori et al (2019), Ogbebor et al (2021), Ojabo and Wunduga (2020) and Okafor and Ezebuo (2014) in their various studies reported lower levels of crude lipid in poultry feeds than the present study. The crude lipid results revealed a statistically significant difference at p < 0.05.…”