Total aflatoxin, aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A and fumonisin in dry dog food: A risk assessment for dog health

Abstract

The aim of this study was to measure total aflatoxin (AFT), aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), ochratoxin A (OCA) and fumonisin (FUM) concentrations in dry dog feed and to evaluate the risk to animal health posed by their increased levels. A total of 90 dry food samples, which were commercially available to the owner, were collected from different shops in Turkey. Some of the food samples were collected from open packages, from which the dry food was sold in smaller amounts. Using commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay test kits, all samples were examined for AFT, AFB₁, OCA, and FUM concentrations. High-performance liquid chromatography was used for confirmation of measured parameters in 30 samples. The ELISA tests found AFT, AFB₁, OCA, and FM concentrations (ng g ^-1) as 1.66, 0.64, 2.14, and 87.06, respectively. In terms of risk assessment, consumption of the dry foods, which are contaminated by AFT, AFB₁ and OCA due possibly to the fact that the dry foods are produced from inappropriate raw material or sold in open packages in smaller amounts, poses a significant health risk for dogs. As a result, it is necessary to monitor the mycotoxin load in dry dog food as the use of raw materials of poor quality and selling the feed in smaller amounts from open packages over an uncertain time period predispose the dry feed to the growth of mycotoxin, especially when the storage conditions are favorable.

Keywords: Dry dog food; ELISA; HPLC; Health risk assessment; Mycotoxins.