Biological approach to aflatoxin control in stored poultry feed

The anti-aflatoxigenic potentials of the leaves of Psidium guajava, Ficus benghalensis, Gardenia radicans, Punica granatum and Ziziphus jujuba Mill. were investigated. Poultry feed inoculated with Aspergillus flavus was treated with plant leaves powder and stored for the period of six months at 28 °C and 16% moisture level. At the end of each month, aflatoxin (AFT) concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The proximate and mineral analysis was performed at the end of the storage period. Plant leaves control the AFTs (AFB1 and AFB2) efficiently without compromising the feed quality. Punica granatum leaves (5%) completely inhibited the AFTs in the stored feed over the period of six months. Ziziphus jujube Mill., P. guajava, F. benghalensis, and G. radicans also showed promising anti-aflatoxigenic activities. Results revealed that the AFT production by A. flavus in a stored poultry feed can be inhibited using the plant leaves under investigation.