AFLATOXIN-PRODUCING ISOLATES OF ASPERGILLUS-FLAVUS FROM BROILER-CHICKENS AND POULTRY RATIONS

Aspergillus flavur isolates (36) obtained from chicken lungs and air s acs and chicken feed, were screened for aflatoxin production on coconu t-agar medium (CAM) and apricot-seeds-agar medium (ASA) using thin-lay er chromatography (TLC) for confirmation. Of the positive isolates, 30 .5% and 35.1% were detected on CAM and ASA media respectively. Aflatox in B-1 either alone or more frequently with B-2 was produced by the to xigenic isolates. The number of positive isolate and amount of toxin w ere greater on ASA medium. There was no relationship between aflatoxin production and the type of pigments released by the isolates on the t ested media.