Abstract
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of fungi, which may contaminate animal feed and
human food at all stages of the food chain. This has become a global concern and
considered an important risk factor mostly for human and animal health. The aim of this
project was to elucidate the general health and productivity of domesticated animals in
selected rural areas of the Limpopo Province in relation to fungi and mycotoxin and find
out possible solutions to avoid in the future further exposure and to improve animal
production in rural areas. A total of 95 animal fresh faeces (50 from Mapate and 45 from
Nwanedi districts), 50 feed samples (24 from Mapate and 26 from Nwanedi) and 50 fresh
milk samples from cattle and goats were screened for fungi and mycotoxin
contamination. The multi mycotoxin extraction method was used, followed by thin layer
chromatography, also the VICAM immunoaffinity clean up, high performance liquid
chromatography, gas chromatography mass spectrophotometry and the ELIZA enzyme
linked kit method were used for further mycotoxin determination and quantification. The
results obtained from this study revealed that species of Aspergillus, Fusarium and
Penicillium fungi contaminated both feed and animal faeces samples. The species
Aspergillus niger, A. clavatus, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, Fusarium verticillioides, F.
graminerium and F. proliferatum were the most prevalent fungi.
Fumonisin B1 and B2, aflatoxins B1, zearalenone and deoxynivalenol (DON) were found
in animal feed. Fumonisins B1 and B2 were also found in faecal samples which indicated
animal exposure to these mycotoxins. Cattle were the most exposed as compared to
goats and pigs. In addition, aflatoxin M1 and traces of fumonisin B1 was detected in cattle
and goats milk samples collected from both Mapate and Nwanedi districts. Late
harvesting and poor handling of crops during storage seemed to be the reason for the
results indicating feed contamination with high levels of fungi and mycotoxins.
Daily exposure to this contaminants may influence or/and induce several symptoms such
as dermatosis, immunosupression, liver and oesophageal cancer in both animal and
human being. There is an urgent necessity to teach rural populations simple and cheap
methods of crops storage and techniques to prevent feed and food contamination.
Prof. Mike F. Dutton
Mr. F. Eric Van-Zyl