Evaluation of Aflatoxin B1 in poultry feeds marketed in Nsukka agricultural zone, Enugu State, South Eastern Nigeria

Aflatoxin contamination of poultry feeds is a major challenge to profitable poultry productivity and trade. This study was carried out to evaluate the levels of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination of poultry feeds commonly sold in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. A total of 48 representative feed samples, comprising 24 toll-milled and 24 commercial feeds, were collected. aflatoxin B1 was detected in all (100%) the samples analysed using Indirect Competitive ELISA technique at various concentrations, with AFB1 concentrations of toll-milled and commercial feeds samples ranging from 2.5 – 473.8 ppb and 1.1 – 1683.2 ppb, respectively. The mean AFB1 concentration (77.69 ± 19.36 ppb) of toll-milled feed samples was significantly less (p ≤ 0.05) than the mean AFB1 concentration of commercial feeds brands (231.10 ± 71.1 ppb). The mean AFB1 concentration of commercial brand A feeds (12. 11 ± 3.25 ppb) was significantly less (p < 0.05) than the mean concentrations of commercial brand B feeds (385.91 ± 152 ppb) and brand C feeds (425.90 ± 97.93 ppb). The toll-milled and commercial feeds samples evaluated showed that 79.17% and 70.8% of the feeds, respectively, had AFB1 concentrations above the United State Food and Drugs Administration action value, 20 ppb. The levels of AFB1 contaminations in the feed samples studied were high, and thus make the feeds unsafe for poultry consumption. Therefore, there is need for routine screening and monitoring of AFB1 in poultry feeds marketed in this area to avoid high levels of AFB1 in feeds and the subsequent accumulation in the poultry products.