Fungal Genomics & Biology
Open Access

Abstract

Fungal Infestation and Mycotoxin Contamination in Camel Feedstuffs

Hassan Almoammar, Ali H Bahkali, Mohammad A Khiyami and Kamel A Abd-Elsalam

Currently, mycotoxins and toxigenic fungi feedstuffs are known causes of animal disease. The main aims of the current research were to investigate the mycoflora associated with feed samples consumed in Saudi Arabia and evaluate the occurrence of toxigenic species. Results of mycobiota showed that most samples were contaminated by moulds belonging to the genera, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Setosphaeria, and Nuersopra. In terms of the analyzed mycotoxins, F. verticillioides was the highest producer of fumonisin, zearalenone and DON (1050, 245, and 640 ?g/kg, respectively. A. alternata was the highest producer of Altenuene Alternariol (52, and 29 ?g/kg, respectively). Charm ROSA quantitative lateral flow assay method was used to quantify the total aflatoxin. The aflatoxin B1 was detected between 1-3.5 ppb in the collected camel feeds samples, while, feeds samples contained the midst concentration of total aflatoxins. In conclusion, camel feedstuffs can be seriously contaminated by mycotoxigenic fungal genera as well as mycotoxins that cause serious health problems for camel and animals.