Aflatoxins and Heavy Metals Detection in Poultry Feeds Used in Some Farms in Enugu, Nigeria

Obiageli Mbegbu, Ngozi Onyemelukwe, Nnamdi Orgu and Nkemdilim Okechukwu

Background and Objective: A major threat to the poultry industry is the contamination of poultry feed with heavy metals and aflatoxins. This study was conducted to detect and determine levels of aflatoxins and heavy metals in poultry feeds. Materials and Methods: Two categories of poultry feeds were obtained within Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria. A total of 32 samples of company branded feeds were investigated for heavy metals and aflatoxin levels while 10 samples of locally milled feeds were investigated for aflatoxin levels. Heavy metals content was determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy and expressed in mg kg^–1. Aflatoxin level was determined through Elisa kit and were expressed in PPb. Results: The heavy metals ranged from manganese (6.65-20.30 mg kg^–1), cobalt (12.03-39.11 mg kg^–1), zinc (1.05-1.47 mg kg^–1), nickel (0.56-0.73 mg kg^–1), iron (0.04-0.19 mg kg^–1), copper (3.82-5.07 mg kg^–1), lead (0.01-0.11 mg kg^–1) and cadmium (0.01-0.05 mg kg^–1). All the metals detected were found to be low in levels except cobalt. The metals were found to be statistically significant (p>0.05) in feeds. The total aflatoxin levels of company branded feeds analysed varied from 0.74-4.12 PPb while that of locally milled poultry feeds ranged from 0.53-4.14 PPb. Conclusion: Zinc, iron, copper and manganese were found to be low in this study. Feed manufacturers should increase the content of these micro-nutrients and also protect the feed materials from aflatoxin contamination.

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