Research
Comparative Efficacies of Imarsil and Activated Charcoal in Reducing AflatoxinM1 in Cowsa Milk
Many health risks associated with Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) drive the demand for its control. Adsorption studies of AFM1 were performed using activated charcoal (AC) and imarsil (0.5, 1 or 2%) at aflatoxin contamination rates of 9, 231 or 456 ng/L for 5 h at 4, 16, 28 and 32oC. The aflatoxinadsorbing capabilities of the two adsorbents depend on the adsorbent, adsorbent concentration, contact time and treatment temperature. At 4, 16 and 28oC, Imarsil demonstrated significant reductions (p<0.05) at the highest contamination rate and adsorbent concentration; while at 32oC, significant reductions (p<0.05) were observed at all contamination rates and adsorbent concentrations. However, at all treatment temperatures AC exhibited a very poor adsorbent capacity, except at 32oC where a mild activity was only exhibited at the highest contamination rates and adsorbent concentration. Results from the present study indicate that imarsil demonstrates a potential for aflatoxin reduction in the developing tropical world.
Aflatoxin, Nutritive Values and Microbiological Status of Stored Cakes of Some Selected Nigerian Oil seeds
Defatted ground nut, soybean and palm kernel cakes were stored for three months at ambient, refrigeration and display conditions. Samples were assayed for nutritive, aflatoxins and microbiological properties. Proximate parameters significantly (p<0.05) reduced with storage. Mineral composition reductions of 3.0-35.00%, 1.2-18.75% and 6.2-64.25% were observed for ambient, refrigeration and display condition storage respectively. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in both bacterial and fungal counts with increased storage duration. Aflatoxin B1 contents of 21.65-49.26, 14.57-27.24 and 29.14-61.32 μg/kg were detected in cakes stored at room, refrigeration and display condition respectively while the Aflatoxin B2 contents were 9.85-14.13, 3.24-10.02 and 12.96-17.04 μg/kg respectively. Proper storage/handling of feed ingredients should form a core component of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) of feed production in tropical countries. The regulatory agencies in these countries should enforce a revised GMP in order to guarantee a more healthy and productive populace.
