reduction of aflatoxin in feed staff with essential oil satureja hortensis l

the present study was conducted to examine the effects of essential oil satureja hortensis l. on antifungal properties in feed staff using an in vitro system. for this purpose, the samples of feed stuff sterilized in an autoclave and then were added 2 ml of spore aspergillus flavus to each sample (300 g of feed stuff). the amount 3 ml of different concentration of essential oil (0, 300, 400, 500, 600 mg/kg) were added to feed stuff samples and were exposed to the same conditions for temperature, humidity and oxygen. the samples were taken on days 20, 40 and 60 and were measured for aflatoxin type of b1, b2, g1 and g2. all variables were statistically analysed using spss software in a completely randomized design and the means were compared using duncan multiple comparisons procedure. in general, these findings indicate that essential oil satureja hortensis l. in higher concentration (≤ 400 mg/kg) had antifungal properties against aspergillus flavus, so that the concentration of 600 mg/ kg significantly reduced the levels of toxin production