Biosecurity for Agricultural Development: A Panacea for Preventing Aflatoxin from Predisposing Fish Feeds to Contaminants
Makeri, V.A.
Department of Fisheries Technology
Akperan Orshi Polytechnic, Yandev.
ABSTRACT
Aflatoxins is a causal organisms that causes a disease known as Aflatoxicosis. They are chemicals produced by some species of naturally occurring fungi (Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus) commonly known as moulds. Aflatoxin are common contaminants of oilseeds crops such as cottonseed, peanut meal, corn, wheat, sunflower, soybean, fish meal and nutritionally complete feeds can also be contaminated with fungal organism. The four major aflatoxin (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2) are direct contaminants of grains and finished feeds. It attacks FEEDS when
stored in an environment with a temperature above 270C (800F), humidity levels greater than 62% and moisture levels in the feed above 14%. The researcher used fish feeds form 30 fish farmers inn Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State. Th feeds were subjected to Afla Check test kit in order to ascertain the presence of aflatoxin. Temperature were determined using thermometer and the weight, length were also measured. Statistical analysis was used in order to determine the significance
difference (p=0.05) at different levels of analysis.
Keywords: Biosecurity, aflatoxin, fugal organism, contaminants, Aspergillus
parasaticus.
