Effect of γ-irradiation on fumonisin producing Fusarium associated with animal and poultry feed mixtures

Contamination of animal and poultry feeds by Fusarium and the mycotoxin Fumonisin B1 is frequent in the feed supply chain. The present study evaluated the prevalence of fumonisin B1 producing Fusarium among irradiated and non-irradiated animal and poultry feed mixtures. Further, the efficiency of γ-rays (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 kGy) to minimize Fusarium growth and biosynthesis of fumonisin B1 in artificially inoculated feed was evaluated. A total of 108 feed samples were collected in which 45.37% of feed mixtures were contaminated with Fusarium species. Among the contaminated samples, the frequency levels of F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum were 42.59 and 24.07%, respectively. Out of the 98 Fusarium isolates from feed samples, 84.7% of F. verticillioides and 64.28% of F. proliferatum were positive for FUM1 set of primers. Fumonisin B1 biosynthesis by the FUM1 positive isolates in feed was confirmed by LC/MS which recorded 0.1-45 µg/g of feed. Fungal growth and viable count of Fusarium in PDA medium and feed decreased with increasing irradiation dosage. Interestingly, fumonisin content was 11 µg/g of feed in 2.5 kGy irradiated sample as compared to 5 µg/g of feed in non-irradiated control. Ionizing radiation at 7.5 kGy was found lethal for fungal growth and fumonisin production. Our findings suggest that γ-radiation above 7.5 kGy effectively prevented fungal growth in feed mixtures and minimized the exposure of animal and human life to the potential risk of mycotoxin. Also it is necessary to maintain proper storage system for feeds until consumption.