ABSTRACT
Seventeen strains of Penicillium spp. have been isolated from Poa huecu Parodi from the Zapala zone, exhibiting toxicity to sheet. The following strains have been identified: P. crustosum, cyclopium, notatum, palitans, puberulum, verrucosum, viridicatum and Penicillium spp. The toxigenic capacity of the strains was studied after growing them under suitable conditions. Toxins produced were analysed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Penitrem A (PA) and Penitrem B (PB) neurotoxins were identified and quantitated in twelve strains; verruculogen (VERR) and fumitremorgen B (FTB) being present in one of them. The effect of these mycotoxins was studied in mice. Neurological symptoms characteristic of the intoxication by tremorgenic toxins and similar to those observed in sheep suffering from 'huecu's disease' were observed. The possible role of these toxins as causative agents of 'huecu's disease' is discussed.
Subject(s)
Mycotoxins/isolation & purification , Neurotoxins/isolation & purification , Penicillium/metabolism , Plants, Toxic/microbiology , Poaceae/microbiology , Tremor/chemically induced , Animals , Female , Mice , Mycotoxins/biosynthesis , Mycotoxins/toxicity , Neurotoxins/biosynthesis , Neurotoxins/toxicity , Penicillium/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
The presence of aflatoxins was determined in 155 samples of chicken feeds, as well as their fungal contamination. Aflatoxins were detected in 3 of the analized samples; one of them contained 1620 micrograms/kg, a highly dangerous amount for chickens. The amount found in the remaining 2 samples was 30 micrograms/kg. A study of toxigenic fungus showed a prevalence of 69.3% of Aspergillus flovus: 72.4% of this percentage corresponded to aflatoxins producing strains. The prevalence of Aspergillus ocraceus was 18.6%; ten per cent of it corresponded to ochratoxin A producing strains. Chicken feeds are an adequate substratum for the formation of aflatoxins; this was demonstrated by raising the humidity contents of initially negative samples, which contained toxigenic Aspergillus flavus spores. The danger of storing chicken feeds under certain humidity and temperature conditions was demonstrated.
Subject(s)
Aflatoxins/analysis , Animal Feed/analysis , Aspergillus flavus/isolation & purification , Aflatoxins/adverse effects , Animals , Aspergillus/isolation & purification , Aspergillus flavus/pathogenicity , Chickens , Humidity , TemperatureABSTRACT
The presence of aflatoxins was determined in 155 samples of chicken feeds, as well as their fungal contamination. Aflatoxins were detected in 3 of the analized samples; one of them contained 1620 micrograms/kg, a highly dangerous amount for chickens. The amount found in the remaining 2 samples was 30 micrograms/kg. A study of toxigenic fungus showed a prevalence of 69.3
of this percentage corresponded to aflatoxins producing strains. The prevalence of Aspergillus ocraceus was 18.6
; ten per cent of it corresponded to ochratoxin A producing strains. Chicken feeds are an adequate substratum for the formation of aflatoxins; this was demonstrated by raising the humidity contents of initially negative samples, which contained toxigenic Aspergillus flavus spores. The danger of storing chicken feeds under certain humidity and temperature conditions was demonstrated.
ABSTRACT
The presence of aflatoxins was determined in 155 samples of chicken feeds, as well as their fungal contamination. Aflatoxins were detected in 3 of the analized samples; one of them contained 1620 micrograms/kg, a highly dangerous amount for chickens. The amount found in the remaining 2 samples was 30 micrograms/kg. A study of toxigenic fungus showed a prevalence of 69.3
of Aspergillus flovus: 72.4
of this percentage corresponded to aflatoxins producing strains. The prevalence of Aspergillus ocraceus was 18.6
; ten per cent of it corresponded to ochratoxin A producing strains. Chicken feeds are an adequate substratum for the formation of aflatoxins; this was demonstrated by raising the humidity contents of initially negative samples, which contained toxigenic Aspergillus flavus spores. The danger of storing chicken feeds under certain humidity and temperature conditions was demonstrated.