Identification of Aspergillus species in feed fed to caged birds using morphological characteristics in Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

The growth of Aspergillus species on feed often causes, deterioration and mycotoxin production which in results economic losses in the poultry industry. The identification of Aspergillus species in feed fed to cage birds using morphological characteristics in Zaria, Nigeria was examined. Feed samples were cultured for fungi on potato dextrose agar to detect the presence of Aspergillus species. Out of the 250-poultry feed tested Aspergillus had a prevalence of 96.8% (242) (P < 0.0045). Aspergillus species isolated were: A. niger, A. flavus, A. parasiticus, A. fumigatus, A. terreus, A. caelatus, A. nomius, A. nidulans, and A. tamarii had the following isolation frequency 38.8, 30.1, 12.8, 9.5, 2.9, 2.1, 1.7, 1.2 and 0.8%, respectively. The isolation frequency of the type of feed was 91 (36.6%) commercial, 83 (34.4%) compounded feed and 68 (28.1%) concentrate respectively. The occurrence of some of the Aspergillus species may have health hazardous risk. Therefore, identification is very important. Nine different species of Aspergillus were macroscopically and microscopically identified from poultry feed in cages of bird in Zaria, Nigeria.

Keywords: Aspergillus, cages, feed, isolation, characterization, bird.