Ramin Khorrami - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
Mehrdad Pooyanmehr - Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
Mohammad Ebrahim Nooriyan Soroor - Department of Animal science, Faculty of Animal Science, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
Sayad Gholami - Department of Central Laboratory, General Veterinary Office, Kermanshah, Iran

 BACKGROUND: Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi, especially Aspergillus spp, on grains and animal feeds. The most important mycotoxins are aflatoxins, including aflatoxin B۱, B۲, G۱, and G۲. OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to determine the occurrence of aflatoxins (B۱, B۲, G۱, and G۲) in the feed ingredients of livestock and poultry and to evaluate the effect of the season and spatial variation on aflatoxin contamination. METHODS: Ninety-three feedstock samples were collected from three major factories in Kermanshah province, Iran, during four seasons. The samples were analyzed by HPLC, and values for aflatoxins were determined. The sum of the aflatoxins was determined as the total for each sample. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software version ۲۳ using general linear model (GLM) based on complete block design (samples and seasons). RESULTS: Six out of ۹۳ samples were positive for aflatoxin B۱. Positive samples were mainly related to cold seasons. Moreover, no significant difference was found between the positive samples in terms of aflatoxins (B۱, B۲, G۱, G۲, and total). CONCLUSIONS: The aflatoxin B۱ levels in animal feed were found higher during rainy seasons compared to the summer season. The aflatoxin B۱, carried over from feed to livestock and poultry products in different seasons, may cause high contamination in livestock and poultry products at levels over the tolerance limit. Therefore, continuous surveillance of aflatoxins is required in animal feeds to reduce animal and consequently human exposure

Aflatoxin, Feed Ingredients, HPLC, Livestock, Poultry