Fungi and Mycotoxins in Feed Intended for Sows at Different Reproductive Stages in Argentina

The aim of this study was to evaluate fungi and contamination levels of aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, fumonisin B1, and zearalenone in raw materials and finished feed intended for sows at different reproductive stages. Total fungi, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium species occurrence, were examined. Aspergillus flavus, A. niger aggregate spp., and F. verticillioides were the prevalent species. Fungal counts exceeded the levels proposed as feed hygienic quality limits (1 × 104 colony forming units) at all reproductive stages. Aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, fumonisin B1, and zearalenone were detected by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Aflatoxin levels in 80% samples of finished sow feeds were over the permitted levels of 0.02 μg g−1 (mean 228.2 ± 95 μg Kg−1). Fumonisin B1 was detected in all tested raw materials at levels that varied from 50.3 to 1137.64 μg Kg−1 and finished feed samples at levels that ranged from 99.8 to 512.4 μg Kg−1. Aflatoxin B1, zearalenone, and ochratoxin A were not detected in raw materials. All finished feeds were negative for zearalenone contamination whereas all nonpregnant gilt samples were contaminated with low OTA levels (mean 0.259 ± 0.123). This fact requires periodic monitoring to prevent the occurrence of mycotoxicosis in animal production, to reduce the economic losses, and to minimize hazards to human health

In vitro activity of neem (Azadirachta indica) oil on growth and ochratoxin A production by Aspergillus carbonarius isolates

Aspergillus carbonarius is a saprobic filamentous fungus, food spoiling fungus and a producer of ochratoxin A (OTA) mycotoxin. In this study, the in vitro antifungal activity of neem oil (0.12% p/p of azadirachtin) was evaluated against the growth of six strains of A. carbonarius and the production of OTA. Four different concentrations of neem oil were tested in addition to three incubation times. Only the concentration of 0.3% of neem oil inhibited more than 95% of the strain’s growth (97.6% ± 0.5%), while the use of 0.5% and 1.0% of neem oil showed lower antifungal activity, 40.2% ± 3.1 and 64.7% ± 1.1, respectively. There was a complete inhibition of OTA production with 0.1% and 0.3% neem oil in the four strains isolated in the laboratory from grapes. The present study shows that neem essential oil can be further evaluated as an auxiliary method for the reduction of mycelial growth and OTA production.Fil: Rodrigues, Mariana Paiva. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Astoreca, Andrea Luciana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales; ArgentinaFil: De Oliveira, Águida Aparecida. Universidad Federal Rural de Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Salvato, Lauranne Alves. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Biscoto, Gabriela Lago. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Keller, Luiz Antonio Moura. Universidade Federal Fluminense; BrasilFil: Rosa, Carlos Alberto da Rocha. Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro. Instituto de Biología; BrasilFil: Cavaglieri, Lilia Reneé. Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquimicas y Naturales. Departamento de Quimica. Area Fisicoquimica Organica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: De Azevedo, Maria Isabel. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Keller, Kelly Moura. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Brasi

In Vitro Activity of Neem (<i>Azadirachta indica</i>) Oil on Growth and Ochratoxin A Production by <i>Aspergillus carbonarius</i> Isolates

Aspergillus carbonarius is a saprobic filamentous fungus, food spoiling fungus and a producer of ochratoxin A (OTA) mycotoxin. In this study, the in vitro antifungal activity of neem oil (0.12% p/p of azadirachtin) was evaluated against the growth of six strains of A. carbonarius and the production of OTA. Four different concentrations of neem oil were tested in addition to three incubation times. Only the concentration of 0.3% of neem oil inhibited more than 95% of the strain’s growth (97.6% ± 0.5%), while the use of 0.5% and 1.0% of neem oil showed lower antifungal activity, 40.2% ± 3.1 and 64.7% ± 1.1, respectively. There was a complete inhibition of OTA production with 0.1% and 0.3% neem oil in the four strains isolated in the laboratory from grapes. The present study shows that neem essential oil can be further evaluated as an auxiliary method for the reduction of mycelial growth and OTA production.Facultad de Ciencias ExactasCentro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriale

In Vitro Activity of Neem (<i>Azadirachta indica</i>) Oil on Growth and Ochratoxin A Production by <i>Aspergillus carbonarius</i> Isolates

Aspergillus carbonarius is a saprobic filamentous fungus, food spoiling fungus and a producer of ochratoxin A (OTA) mycotoxin. In this study, the in vitro antifungal activity of neem oil (0.12% p/p of azadirachtin) was evaluated against the growth of six strains of A. carbonarius and the production of OTA. Four different concentrations of neem oil were tested in addition to three incubation times. Only the concentration of 0.3% of neem oil inhibited more than 95% of the strain’s growth (97.6% ± 0.5%), while the use of 0.5% and 1.0% of neem oil showed lower antifungal activity, 40.2% ± 3.1 and 64.7% ± 1.1, respectively. There was a complete inhibition of OTA production with 0.1% and 0.3% neem oil in the four strains isolated in the laboratory from grapes. The present study shows that neem essential oil can be further evaluated as an auxiliary method for the reduction of mycelial growth and OTA production.Facultad de Ciencias ExactasCentro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriale

In vitro ochratoxin A adsorption by commercial yeast cell walls

ABSTRACT. Pereyra C.M., Cavaglieri L.R., Keller K.M., Chiacchiera, S.M., Rosa C.A.R. & Dalcero A.M. In vitro ochratoxin A adsorption by commercial yeast cell walls. [Adsorção in vitro de ocratoxina A por paredes celulares de levedura comercial.] Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária, 37(1):25-28, 2015. Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta 36 Km 601, (5800) Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina. E-mail: [email protected] The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ochratoxin A (OTA) adsorption capacity by two kinds of commercial yeast cell walls (YCW1 and YCW2) used as dietary supplements. An in vitro test was designed to mimic the temperature (37ºC), pH (2) and passage time (30 min) through the stomach of a monogastric animal. The test was performed using different concentrations of YWC (100 and 200 µg/mL) and OTA (10; 80; 160 and 1000 ng/mL) and extracts were quantified by HPLC. For each OTA concentration, two independent trials varying the concentration of each YCW were performed. The two YCW assayed containing different percentages of polysaccharides, were able to adsorb similar amounts of OTA. Furthermore, the relationship mannans/β-glucans does not influence the rate of adsorption of OTA. In general, it was observed that the adsorption capacity increased with decreasing OTA concentration. Results from this work related to adsorption capacity of OTA with YCW allow predicting that other factor than 3D-structure and β-glucans and mannans could be involved. Future studies could be conducted to test the in vivo binding ability to alleviate the toxic effects of OTA under field conditions. Both YCW are a promising mycotoxin adsorbent to be used in animal feed to prevent mycotoxicoses