Detection of Aflatoxin B1 in Buffalo Feed Samples from Cities of Ahvaz and Karun

ABSTRACT         Background and Objective: Mycotoxins are a group of relatively resistant toxic metabolites. The most important mycotoxins are aflatoxins (B1 and B2, G1 and G2), which originate from contaminated animal feed. Dairy cattle transmit aflatoxins B1 and B2 through milk in form of aflatoxins M1 and M2, and endanger the human health. Traditional buffalo farms play an important role in the supply of dairy products in Khuzestan Province. In addition, the province has suitable conditions for the growth of various types of fungi. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the amount of aflatoxins in buffalo feed samples collected from two main suppliers of milk in the province (Ahvaz and Karun).          Methods: Overall, 60 samples were collected during the 3 months of autumn 2014. Samples were analyzed by the sensitive and fast method of competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.          Results: The concentration of aflatoxin ranged from 0.77 to 64.85 μg/Kg. In addition, the concentration of aflatoxin in 21 samples was higher than the permitted limit (25 μg/Kg).         Conclusion: The mean concentration of aflatoxin in the samples increases with the decrease in temperature and humidity. This increase is observed in Ahvaz at a higher rate, which could be due to inappropriate storage and use of rice bran in their feed.          Keywords: Aflatoxins,  Ahvaz, Animal Feed.