Fungal Profile and Aflatoxin Contamination in Poultry Feeds Sold in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

Aflatoxin contamination of animal feeds is common and widely spread, especially in the tropics, due to the ubiquity of the producing fungi. The detection of aflatoxin in five samples of animal feed was carried out; using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Samples were taken from five different areas in Abeokuta. The aflatoxin level was observed to be the highest in the poultry feed from Lafenwa with the value 93.1 μg/kg; and lowest in the feed from Idi-Aba with the value 13.5 μg/kg. Fungal counts are between 4 x 103 and 42 x 103 cfu/g, with highest count occurring in the feed from Lafenwa and lowest in Idi-Aba. The fungal growth was on potato dextrose agar (PDA), and Aspergillus flavus, A. oryzae, Rhizopus oryzae and Penicillum notatum were isolated and identified, with Aspergillus flavus predominating. Comparison statistical analysis using ANOVA showed a significant mean difference 95% confidence interval. In conclusion, aflatoxin was present in all the samples, which even at low concentration is of great concern to human and animal health. Maize was the main ingredient in all the contaminated feed.Keywords: Aflatoxin, contamination, animal feed, moulds, concentration

Production and Partial Purification of Amylase By Aspergillus niger Isolated from Cassava Peel

Aspergillus niger strains 1, 2 and 3 isolated from cassava dumpsites were used for the production of amylase enzyme. The Aspergillus niger strains 1, 2 and 3 had diameter (mm) zone of clearance of 17.0, 23.0 and 8.0 respectively using Potato dextrose agar plates fortified with starch. Studies on the amylase enzyme activity (mg/ml) of Aspergillus niger strains 1 and 2 showed 19,340 and 16,510 respectively. These values were higher than the commercially available amylase enzyme that had an activity of 5,722.2. The protein (mg/ml) and specific activity (units/mg) for amylase from Aspergillus niger strain 1 was 28.39 and 681.23 while 21.76 and 758.73 from Aspergillus niger 2 respectively. Purification using ammonium sulphate (% w/v) at 60, 80 and 100 on amylase enzyme from Aspergillus niger strain 1 for enzyme activity, protein and specific activity was 44405.49, 17.01 and 2610.55, 28949.76, 23.62 and 1225.65, 36220.25, 16.67, and 2172.787 respectively. The microbial production of Amylase enzyme in Nigeria from Cassava peel will reduce cost of production, convert cassava peel from waste condition to wealth, and will boost economy through indigenous industrialization

Production and Partial Purification of Amylase By Aspergillus niger Isolated from Cassava Peel

Aspergillus niger strains 1, 2 and 3 isolated from cassava dumpsites were used for the production of amylase enzyme. The Aspergillus niger strains 1, 2 and 3 had diameter (mm) zone of clearance of 17.0, 23.0 and 8.0 respectively using Potato dextrose agar plates fortified with starch. Studies on the amylase enzyme activity (mg/ml) of Aspergillus niger strains 1 and 2 showed 19,340 and 16,510 respectively. These values were higher than the commercially available amylase enzyme that had an activity of 5,722.2. The protein (mg/ml) and specific activity (units/mg) for amylase from Aspergillus niger strain 1 was 28.39 and 681.23 while 21.76 and 758.73 from Aspergillus niger 2 respectively. Purification using ammonium sulphate (% w/v) at 60, 80 and 100 on amylase enzyme from Aspergillus niger strain 1 for enzyme activity, protein and specific activity was 44405.49, 17.01 and 2610.55, 28949.76, 23.62 and 1225.65, 36220.25, 16.67, and 2172.787 respectively. The microbial production of Amylase enzyme in Nigeria from Cassava peel will reduce cost of production, convert cassava peel from waste condition to wealth, and will boost economy through indigenous industrialization