Prevalence of potential toxigenic <i>Aspergillus</i> species isolated from poultry feeds in Sokoto metropolis

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of fungal organisms  (especially Aspergillus species) in feeds used in poultry farms in Sokoto metropolis. During a period of 12  months (from April 2010 to March 2011), a total of 239 poultry feed samples comprising of 204  commercially prepared feeds and 35 self-compounded feeds were collected from 76 identified poultry  farms in Sokoto and environs. Of the total 80 questionnaires administered, 76 (95.00%) were responded  to. Out of the total samples, fungal species were isolated from 198 (82.9%) comprising of commercially  prepared 163 (79.9%) and self-compounded 35 (100.0%) feed samples. A total of 258 fungal isolates  were identified out of which 136 (52.7%) were Aspergillus species. The most prevalent species were  Aspergillus fumigatus 80 (58.8%) followed by Aspergillus flavus 56 (41.2%). Since Aspergillus species are  among the leading mycotoxigenic fungi, this study reveals that a potential exists for the production of  mycotoxins that may be of both veterinary public health significance and its attending economic losses.

Keywords: Aspergillus species, Mycotoxicosis, Poultry farms, Poultry feed, Sokoto metropolis