A MYCOLOGICAL SURVEY ON MIXED POULTRY FEEDS AND MIXED RABBIT FEEDS

The mycoflora of 55 samples of mixed poultry feed and mixed rabbit feed were studied. Differences in the mycoflora between the two kinds of feed were studied. Fungal counts ranged from < 10(2) to 10(5) cfu g(-1), the lowest counts being in the samples of rabbit feeds. Seventy-three fungal species belonging to 28 genera were identified. The predominant species were Aspergillus flavus, A candidus, A amstelodami, Penicillium chrysogenum and Fusarium moniliforme. Aphanocladium album, ranking sixth in the samples overall, showed exceptional incidence compared with published data. Fusarium moniliforme, A flavus and A amstelodami had the highest individual percentage counts. The F. moniliforme and A candidus percentage counts were significantly higher in mixed poultry feeds than in mixed rabbit feeds, quite the reverse of the A amstelodami and P chrysogenum percentage counts.