Determination of some mycotoxins from poultry feed in Baghdad city

The aims of this study were to determine some mycotoxins and to isolate the fungi from chicken feed samples from broiler and layer farms in Baghdad city. The isolation rate (percentage) of fungi from poultry feed samples was Aspergillus niger 17.7%, Aspergillus flavus 14.7%, Aspergillus fumigatus 12.4%, Aspergillus ochraceus 10.7%, Penicillium spp. 9.3%, Fusarium spp. 9.3%, Rhizopus spp. 8.4%, Mucar spp. 8.4%, Absidia spp. 7.6% and Chrysonilia sitophila 1.5%, while the most common yeast genera were Candida spp. 44.8%, Candida albicans 20.7%, Cryptococcus neoformans 17.3%, Geotricum candidum 12% and Trichosorom spp. 5.2%. The mycotoxins ochratoxin A (OTA), deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisin B1 (FB1) and zearalenone (ZON) were detected, and the percentages of these mycotoxins were 43.1%, 27.2%, 21.1% and 8.6%, respectively. This study indicates that the presence of mold that produce mycotoxins in poultry feed increases the risk of mycotoxins in feed, meat, eggs, etc. of animals and therefore humans, and we need to raise awareness of the Ministry of Agriculture and Health to prevent these measures to reduce the mycotoxin levels in poultry products.