Natural and eco-friendly approaches to control aflatoxins in poultry feed

Project Overview

GNE15-113
Project Type: Graduate Student
Funds awarded in 2015: $14,393.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2016
Grant Recipient: University of Connecticut
Region: Northeast
State: Connecticut
Graduate Student:
Hsinbai Yin
Faculty Advisor:
Michael Darre
University of Connecticut
Faculty Advisor:
Dr. Kumar Venkitanarayanan
University of Connecticut

Annual Reports

Commodities

  • Animals: poultry
  • Animal Products: eggs, meat

Practices

  • Animal Production: animal protection and health, feed/forage, feed additives, preventive practices

    Proposal abstract:

           Aflatoxins (AF) are fungal toxic metabolites of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which can frequently contaminate a variety of feed ingredients. Contamination of poultry feed with AF is a major concern to both feed and poultry industry due to their deleterious effects in chickens such as reduced chicken performance and increased mortality. In addition, AF are regulated by FDA due to their carcinogenic and hepatotoxic effects, and their presence as residues in chicken meat and egg. Therefore, it is critical to develop scientifically validated strategies for controlling AF in poultry feed, and AF-induced negative effects in chickens.        The overall objective of this proposal is to investigate the efficacy of two food-grade phytochemicals, namely carvacrol (CR) and trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC), in decreasing AF production by molds in chicken feed and controlling aflatoxicosis in chickens to improve chicken meat safety. The specific objectives include: To investigate the efficacy of two food-grade phytochemicals, namely carvacrol (CR) and trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC) in reducing flavus and A. parasiticus growth and AF production in chicken feed during long-term storage. To determine the efficacy of in-feed supplementation of CR and TC in reducing aflatoxicosis in chickens and decreasing AF residues in poultry meat. To determine the stability of CR and TC in chicken feed during commercial manufacturing process.        This research will provide a natural, economical and environmentally safe approach to control AF in chicken feed and poultry food products, thereby improving the economic opportunities for the feed and poultry industries, and public health in general.

    Project objectives from proposal:

           The overall objective of this proposal is to improve poultry feed safety, bird health, and poultry food safety by using natural and environment-friendly approaches. The specific objectives include:

     

     

      1. To investigate the efficacy of carvacrol (CR) and trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC) in reducing Aspergillus flavus and parasiticus growth and aflatoxin (AF) production in chicken feed during long-term storage.

     

      1. To determine the efficacy of in-feed supplementation of CR and TC in reducing aflatoxicosis in chickens.

     

      1. To study the stability of CR and TC in chicken feed during commercial manufacturing process.

     

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.