Objective: Contamination of feeds with pathogenic microflora and mycotoxins constitutes a serious threat both for animals
and humans. The aim of the study was to determine the degree of risk of the occurrence of microscopic fungi, selected
bacteria and mycotoxins from the trichothecene group in poultry feeds in western Poland.
Results: In feed mixtures, the concentration of ergosterol (ERG), being a specific quantitative biomarker for the content of
microscopic fungi, was determined. Grower and finisher feeds were characterized by a higher count of bacteria and fungi
in comparison to starter feeds. A considerable variation was found in the amount of ergosterol in analyzed feeds. Mean
ergosterol content in feeds amounted to 19.34 mg/kg. The most common genera of fungi detected in the tested feeds
included Aspergillus, Rhizopus and Mucor. Irrespective of the type of feed, the proportion of trichothecenes group B was five
times higher than that of trichothecenes group A in relation to the total content of these mycotoxins in samples. In terms
of the analyzed mycotoxins, feeds contained the highest concentration of deoxynivalenol (DON). A statistically significant
correlation was shown between DON and ERG and between total trichothecenes and ERG.
Conclusion: Recorded results indicate that the level of microbiological contamination in feeds for broiler chickens produced
in western Poland is within the requirements of the binding standards