Isolation, characterization and evaluation of significant mycoflora and mycotoxins in pig feed from Serbian farms

Abstract

This paper provides a brief review of approaches for the early detection and prevention strategies which have been employed in Serbia for the control of ochratoxogenic fungi and its metabolites in feed in the context of a hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) framework. During a mycological analysis of complete feedmixes intended for fattening swine (n = 18), a total of six genera and 14 species of moulds were identified. Penicillium was present in considerably more samples than any other genus (94.4%), followed by the genera Fusarium (55.5%) and Paecilomyces (44.4%). Other fungi from the genera Aspergillus (22%), Mucor (11.1%) and Alternaria (5.5%) were represented in a smaller amount. Total fungal counts ranged from 10 5 to 40 9 10 5 c.f.u./g. The mycotoxins deoxynivalenol, ochratoxin A and zearalenone were detected, while aflatoxins were not present. Deoxynivalenol was detected in 10 samples in the concentration range 0.25-2.5 mg/kg. Ochratoxin A and zaralenone were detected in nine and eight samples, respectively, in the concentration range 0.057-0.27 and 0.2-5.0 mg/kg, respectively. Isolates identified as Aspergillus and Penicillium species were subjected to molecular characterization for the presence of genes responsible for the synthesis of OTA (polyketide synthase gene-PKS) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) applied to a set of 18 isolates. The sequences of PCR reaction products in three samples were compared with nucleotide sequences of genes for polyketide synthase (PKS) from Penicillium species and it was found that the samples possessed the PKS sequence. These findings indicate that there may be a risk of animal exposure to mycotoxins through the consumption of mouldy infected feeds.

Fungal contamination of pig farm feeds

“…Analogous to our results, Milićević et al (2010) have established total fungal count ranging from 1 × 10 5 to 40 × 10 5 cfu g -1 in 18 pig feed samples collected from different provinces in Serbia, of which 39% samples exceeded the limit according to the Serbian legislation. They have also reported that with the storage period of pig feed extending, the moisture content is increasing.…”

“…In addition to potentially toxigenic fungi from Fusarium, Aspergillus and Penicillium genera, Alternaria, Mucor and Rhizopus species were also identified but in a small percentage of examined samples (data not presented). Milićević et al (2010) registered the most number of pig feed samples contaminated with Penicillium species (94.4%). Fusarium species were present in 55.5% and Aspergillus species in 22% of pig feed samples.…”

Biological System Responses of Dairy Cows to Aflatoxin B1 Exposure Revealed with Metabolomic Changes in Multiple Biofluids

“…However, in another study, the consumption of AFB1 did not affect the dry matter intake or milk yield, however, it tended to reduce the FCM, milk fat production and milk protein concentration [ 34 ]. A diverse diet (including several types of feedstuffs, usually) and a large body mass may help dairy cows to resist mycotoxins [ 33 , 35 ]. The small amounts of mycotoxins consumed in the present study compared with the high overall feed intake may have ensured that the dilution effect rendered them relatively harmless [ 31 ].…”

Overview on the Mycotoxins Incidence in Serbia in the Period 2004–2016

“…Data on the prevalence of OTA producing species in Serbia are scarce and limited to a small number of studies [84,96]. Next, to the cereals and other insufficiently dried commodities, OTA has been detected in pig’s blood, kidney, liver muscle and adipose tissue with rather high levels found in animals suffering from porcine nephropathy, especially in countries of the Balkan Peninsula [33].…”