RETENTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF AFLATOXIN IN TISSUES OF CHICKS FED AFLATOXIN-CONTAMINATED POULTRY RATIONS AMENDED WITH SOIL

The effects of silty clay loam on aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) retention and distribution were investigated when added to diets of chicks fed afla toxin-contaminated rations. One hundred 14-d-old White Leghorn chicks were fed a control ration (clean corn), a low aflatoxin-contaminated r ation (120 ng AFB(1)/g), a high aflatoxin-contaminated ration (700 ng AFB(1)/g), or a high aflatoxin-contaminated ration (700 ng AFB(1)/g) 10% or 25% soil. Livers, crops and breast muscles in each group were pooled and analyzed for AFB(1) and metabolites. The addition of soil s ignificantly reduced the AFB(1) levels in the livers, although the red uction was less when 10% soil was fed compared with the 25% soil feedi ng. AFB(1) concentrations in the crops of chicks fed high aflatoxin-co ntaminated ration without soil was statistically indistinguishable fro m the chicks in the other groups. AFB(1) concentrations were significa ntly reduced in the breast muscles of chicks fed 10% or 25% soil compa red to chicks fed the high aflatoxin-contaminated ration without soil. Aflatoxin B-2 was detected only in livers, crops and breast muscles f rom chicks fed aflatoxin-contaminated ration without soil. Aflatoxin M (1) (AFM(1)) was detected only in livers and crops of chicks fed aflat oxin-contaminated ration without soil and only in breast muscles of ch icks fed the low aflatoxin-contaminated ration and high aflatoxin-cont aminated ration + 25%; soil. AFM(1) concentration was significantly hi gher in the crops of chicks fed high aflatoxin-contaminated ration wit hout soil.