Aflatoxin levels in corn available as wild turkey feed in Georgia

Samples of corn available as wild-life feed from retailers throughout Georg ia (USA) were collected during April 1997 and analyzed for aflatoxin to det ermine if levels harmful to wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were present . Three of 31 (10%) samples collected from a 40-country area were positive. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay qualitatively determined that two sam ples contained from 0 to 20 ppb aflatoxin. A chromatography analysis of a t hird sample measured 380 ppb total aflatoxin. A small percentage of our sam ple of wildlife feed collected during one season contained levels of aflato xin that may cause harm to turkeys, especially poults. However, because afl atoxin levels ranging from 100 to 400 ppb may cause liver dysfunction and i mmunosuppression in turkey poults and other wildlife, grains known to be co ntaminated with aflatoxin at levels unacceptable for domestic animal feeds (greater than or equal to 100 ppb) should not be sold as wildlife feed. Fur ther analyses of grains sold as wildlife feed should be conducted to addres s this potential problem.