Isolation and characterization of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus spp. from maize of livestock feed from Bogor

Abstract

Aflatoxin is a naturally mutagenic and carcinogenic mycotoxin found in feed and food. Aflatoxin contamination on maize can affect productivity of feed and food manufacture. The purpose of this study was to obtain isolates and to understand the characteristics of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus from maize on livestock feed. The study was divided into two stages: isolation and molecular identification of fungal ITS rDNA region in livestock feed obtained from Bogor, West Java. Isolation was conducted by enrichment and direct method using Dichloran-Glycerol (DG18) medium, while aflatoxin test and fungal characterization were done by CAM (Coconut Agar Medium) and selective medium of Aspergillus flavus and parasiticus (AFPA), respectively. The result showed that 9 of isolates are identified as molds (P2, P3, P4, P5, P7, P8, are green sporulated, while P1, P6, P9 are black sporulated). Aflatoxin detection on P3 and P8 isolates did not produce blue fluorescence fluid in CAM and did not form a beige ring on the back of petri. This indicated P3 and P8 did not produce aflatoxin on CAM media. Molecular identification results that P3 and P8 isolates have 100% and 99% homology with A. flavus, respectively.