Abstract

INHIBITING AFLATOXIN-PRODUCING FUNGI IN POULTRY FEED WITH PLANT EXTRACTS: A FOCUS ON ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS USING CARICA PAPAYA ETHANOL EXTRACT

*G. Prabakaran and D. Jegadeeshkumar

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Abstract

This study addresses the global concern of mycotoxin contamination, especially aflatoxins produced by fungi like Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium, which endanger food and animal feed safety. It focuses on assessing the presence of toxin-producing Aspergillus flavus in poultry feed in Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, and explores the potential of plant extracts to inhibit these toxin-producing strains. Ten feed samples from different farming regions in Namakkal were analyzed for moisture, protein, and fat content, revealing a correlation between moisture levels and fungal growth. The study identified A. flavus as the predominant fungal isolate and confirmed the presence of key aflatoxin genes in some isolates through PCR analysis. Plant extracts, particularly Carica papaya ethanol extract, displayed promising inhibitory effects on A. flavus. Overall, this research underscores the prevalence of toxigenic fungi in poultry feed and suggests that plant extracts, notably from papaya leaves, could offer a cost-effective solution to combat aflatoxin-producing fungi, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and mitigation measures to ensure food and feed safety. Further exploration of the active compounds in these extracts is warranted for the development of alternative antifungal treatments.

Keywords: Mycotoxins, Aflatoxins, Aspergillus flavus, Carica papaya.