Effects of individual and combined administration of ochratoxin A and aflatoxin B 1 in tissues and eggs of White Leghorn breeder hens

Abstract

Background: Mycotoxins, the secondary fungal metabolites, are unavoidable contaminants of human and animal food and feeds. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of concurrent feeding of ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1) to breeder hens, upon their deposition in different tissues and eggs. Results: Residues of OTA and AFB 1 in (ng g -1) were significantly higher in liver followed by kidneys and breast muscles by 22.54 ± 1.48, 4.22 ± 0.93 and 0.56 ± 0.06 for OTA (group fed OTA at 5 mg kg -1 diet) and 1.44 ± 0.21, 0.25 ± 0.01 and 0.03 ± 0.01 for AFB 1 (group fed AFB 1 at 5 mg kg -1 diet), respectively. Residues of OTA and AFB 1 in eggs appeared at days 3 and 5 of toxin feeding and disappeared at days 5 and 6 of withdrawal of mycotoxins contaminated feed, respectively. The residues of OTA and AFB 1 were significantly lower in the tissues of hens fed these toxins concurrently compared with the groups fed OTA and AFB 1 independently. Conclusions: Residues of OTA and AFB 1 appeared in the tissues and eggs of laying hens kept on OTA- and AFB 1-contaminated diets. Concurrent feeding of OTA and AFB 1 to hens significantly decreased the concentration of OTA and AFB 1 residues in the tissues and eggs. © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry.