PREVALENCE OF AFLATOXIN B1 IN FINISHED COMMERCIAL BROILER FEED FROM WEST CENTRAL PAKISTAN

Aflatoxin contamination of poultry feed results in heavy economic loss and a potential risk for human being. Finished commercial broiler feed (n=96) samples collected from different broiler farms for the period June 2009 to May 2010 from south west Pakistan were analyzed for aflatoxin B-1(AfB(1)) by using thin layer chromatography with a detection limit of 3 mu g/kg. Analysis revealed that 91.66% samples were positive with a range 10 to 166 mu g/kg and mean 47.64 +/- 2.55 mu g/kg. Highest level of AfB(1) was found in the month of September ranged from 42 to 166 mu g/kg with mean of 83.25 +/- 16.11 mu g/kg. Categorically 82.30% samples were above the permissible limit recommenced by United States Food and Drug Administration. A significant (P<0.05) effect of season on aflatoxin production was noted. The prevalence of AfB(1) may be attributed to poor harvesting technique, insect infestation, storage or environmental conditions.