- Research article
- Open Access
In vivo detoxification of aflatoxinB1 by magnetic carbon nanostructures prepared from bagasse
- Farhat Ali Khan1, 2 and
- Muhammad Zahoor2Email author
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-014-0255-y
© Khan and Zahoor; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2014
- Received: 25 April 2014
- Accepted: 10 October 2014
- Published: 30 October 2014
Abstract
Background
Aflatoxins are serious hazard to poultry industry and human health. Broiler chickens fed on aflatoxin contaminated feed develop various abnormal signs and behavior including less attraction toward feed, abnormal faeces consistency, growth retardation, dirty and ruffled feather, abnormal organs size and weight and blood serum biochemistry. Therefore the study was aimed to detoxify aflatoxin B1 in poultry feed. In this study a novel adsorbent was prepared from bagasse, characterized in vitro and in vivo it was fed to different groups of poultry birds along with aflatoxin B1. The groups were given arbitrary names A, B, C, D, E and F. Group A was fed with normal decontaminated feed, group B was fed with aflatoxin contaminated (200 μg/kg feed) feed while the groups C, D, E and F were fed with aflatoxin contaminated (200 μg/kg feed) feed plus 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5% adsorbent respectively. Clinical signs and behavior of the chicks; blood level of alanine transferase, alkaline phosphatase, serum albumen, serum total proteins and serum globulin; Mortality; Body and organ weights; Hemorrhages in organs etc. were monitored in order to study the efficacy of the adsorbent for binding of aflatoxin B1 in the gastrointestinal tract of chickens. Statistical approach was adopted to analyze the data.
Results
It was found that adsorbent amount 0.3%/kg feed was highly effective to adsorb and detoxify aflatoxin B1 in gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens and pass safely leaving no harmful effects. However the results of groups E and F fed on 0.4% and 0.5% respectively showed slight variation in tested parameters from group A.
Conclusions
The prepared adsorbent was efficient for the detoxification of aflatoxin B1 in gastrointestinal tract of chicks and no negative symptoms associated with the use of activated carbon as previously reported were observed for the adsorbent under study.
Keywords
- Magnetic carbon nanostructures
- Poultry birds
- Alanine transferase
- Alkaline phosphatase
- Bagasse
Background
Pakistan is situated in the subtropical region in the world globe. Its exact position lies between 24° and 40° North latitudes. As the climatic conditions of the subtropical regions are warm, moist and damp, therefore it provides best condition for development of fungus in poultry feed that is a threat to poultry industry which is an important part of livestock sector having 52.2% share in agro based economy of Pakistan that contribute 19% of total meat production in the country [1]. Aflatoxins are produced by different species of Aspergillus. The contamination of aflatoxin in the feed may cause aflatoxicoses in poultry birds that leads to lower their growth rate, weight loss and anorexia. The increased susceptibility to environmental and microbial stresses caused by aflatoxins ultimately increases the rate of mortality [2]-[4]. Among aflatoxins, aflatoxin B1 is of predominant importance as it has highest toxic potential due to teratogenicity, carcinogenicity and mutagenicity [2],[3].
A practical approach for the detoxification aflatoxins in poultry feed is the use of adsorbent [5]. As adsorbents have the potential to bind aflatoxins and inhibit their absorption from gastrointestinal tract [6]. However large quantities and negative interaction of adsorbents with nutrients are causes of great concern [7]-[9]. The activated carbon due to its high surface area and cheap availability is used for the adsorption of organic and inorganic pollutants [10]. However dehydration and salt deficiencies are encountered when it is administered to poultry birds [7]-[9].
Magnetic adsorbents have recently gained considerable importance as they can be removed from media by the use of magnetic field after use that can then be regenerated. Thus it will not cause any adverse effects on environment. However, small surface area and less adsorption capacity rendered these materials to be used as adsorbents [11]. Moreover their preparation requires several steps and special chemical procedures. According to Kahani et al. [10] the conversion of biomass into magnetic carbon nanocomposites would provide an excellent and cheap adsorbent for the remediation environmental problems.
If activated carbon or any other adsorbent is fed to poultry birds, they could not be easily collected from feaces and will results in secondary problems to environment. On the other hand if adsorbent is magnetic, it will be easily collected from feaces through magnetic process and will not result in secondary problems to environment. Keeping in view the mentioned goals, in this study magnetic carbon nanocomposites were prepared from bagasse and fed along with aflatoxin B1 to poultry birds in different concentrations. Different physiological as well as clinical symptoms were monitored to evaluate the effectiveness of the adsorbent.
Results and discussion
Adsorption parameters of aflatoxin B1 on carbon nanocomposites prepared bagasse
Adsorbent prepared from: | Langmuir isotherm | Freundlich isotherm | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bagasse | Q0(mggμ1) | b | R2 | K | 1/n | R2 |
66.68 | 0.25 | 0.991 | 9.3 | 0.714 | 0.998 |
Clinical signs and behavior
Clinical signs and behavior of broiler chickens given different levels of adsorbent prepared from bagasse
Time period | Clinical signs and behavior | Range of score | Groups | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A | Aflatoxin B1 (AfB1) 200 μg/kg feed | |||||||
Week (day) | B | C | D | E | F | |||
1(7) | Alertness | 0-3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Normal-Depressed | ||||||||
Attraction to feed | 0-3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Normal-Less interest | ||||||||
Attraction to water | 0-3 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Normal-More/Less interest | ||||||||
Faeces consistency | 0-3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Normal-Watery | ||||||||
Feather | 0-3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Normal-Ruffled and Broken | ||||||||
Cumulative Score | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
2(14) | Alertness | 0-3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Normal-Depressed | ||||||||
Attraction to feed | 0-3 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Normal-Less interest | ||||||||
Attraction to water | 0-3 | 0 | 24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Normal-More/Less interest | ||||||||
Faeces consistency | 0-3 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Normal-Watery | ||||||||
Feather | 0-3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Normal-Ruffled and Broken | ||||||||
Cumulative Score | 0 | 54 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
3(21) | Alertness | 0-3 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Normal-Depressed | ||||||||
Attraction to feed | 0-3 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Normal-Less interest | ||||||||
Attraction to water | 0-3 | 0 | 30 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Normal-More/Less interest | ||||||||
Faeces consistency | 0-3 | 0 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Normal-Watery | ||||||||
Feather | 0-3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Normal-Ruffled and Broken | ||||||||
Cumulative Score | 0 | 73 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
4(28) | Alertness | 0-3 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Normal-Depressed | ||||||||
Attraction to feed | 0-3 | 0 | 27 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
Normal-Less interest | ||||||||
Attraction to water | 0-3 | 0 | 48 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
Normal-More/Less interest | ||||||||
Faeces consistency | 0-3 | 0 | 37 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Normal-Watery | ||||||||
Feather | 0-3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Normal-Ruffled and Broken | ||||||||
Cumulative Score | 0 | 124 | 18 | 6 | 2 | 3 | ||
5(35) | Alertness | 0-3 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Normal-Depressed | ||||||||
Attraction to feed | 0-3 | 0 | 51 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
Normal-Less interest | ||||||||
Attraction to water | 0-3 | 0 | 79 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Normal-More/Less interest | ||||||||
Faeces consistency | 0-3 | 0 | 56 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
Normal-Watery | ||||||||
Feather | 0-3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Normal-Ruffled and Broken | ||||||||
Cumulative score | 0 | 201 | 27 | 5 | 3 | 6 | ||
6(42) | Alertness | 0-3 | 0 | 18 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
Normal-Depressed | ||||||||
Attraction to feed | 0-3 | 0 | 67 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 4 | |
Normal-Less interest | ||||||||
Attraction to water | 0-3 | 0 | 89 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 5 | |
Normal-More/Less interest | ||||||||
Faeces consistency | 0-3 | 0 | 75 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
Normal-Watery | ||||||||
Feather | 0-3 | 0 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
Normal-Ruffled and Broken | ||||||||
Cumulative score | 0 | 265 | 43 | 13 | 5 | 16 | ||
Total cumulative score | 736 | 109 | 24 | 10 | 25 |
Clinical signs and behavior during aflatoxicoses has been investigated by many workers [2],[12],[13]. Increased water intake has also been reported in broiler chicks during aflatoxicosis [14]. A decrease in feed intake and increase in water intake may be due to avoid dehydration and replenish the water loss during watery and loose dropping Chohota et al.[15] described a general depression in broiler chicks suffering from aflatoxicosis. Robinson et al.[16] study demonstrated weakness, little response to feed and depression in wild birds suffering from aflatoxicosis. In our study group B having aflatoxin in feed exhibited abnormal signs and behavior throughout the course of experiment and was found sever at the end of 6th week however groups D, E and F receiving aflatoxin and different levels of adsorbent in feed showed a very low cumulative score as compared to group B. The present study clearly indicated that the prepared adsorbent can play a vital role to ameliorate the ill effects of aflatoxin B1.
Blood serum biochemical parameters
Serum biochemical parameters such as Total protein, Serum globulin, Albumen contents [17], alkaline phosphatase and alanine transferase [13] blood level can be used to determine the hepatic malfunctioning and liver injury. Adsorbents can effectively reduce the negative effects of aflatoxin in chicks consuming aflatoxin contaminated feed [13],[18]. The effect of the prepared carbon nanostructures on different blood serum parameters are discussed below.
Alanine Transferase (ALT)
Serum ALT concentration (U/L) in broiler chickens blood serum given different dietary levels of adsorbent prepared from bagasse. (A = Basal feed, B = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm), C = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.2% Adsorbent, D = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.3% Adsorbent, E = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.4% Adsorbent, F = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.5% Adsorbent).
Serum ALT and alkaline phosphatase activities, Total protein, serum albumens and globulin concentration have also been described as valuable parameters of liver injury and function [19]. The results of group B indicated high concentration of ALT fed on aflatoxin contaminated feed as compared to groups D, E and F offered feed containing aflatoxin and different levels of adsorbent. These results represented that addition of the prepared adsorbent in aflatoxin contaminated feed ameliorated the toxic effects of aflatoxin. Our findings are in close agreement to Pasha et al.[20], Gowda et al.[18], Ibrahim et al.[21], Shi et al.[22] and Watts et al.[23] who reported that different adsorbents have been found to diminish the toxic effects of aflatoxin in broiler chicks.
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
Serum ALP concentration (U/L) in broiler chickens blood serum given different dietary levels of adsorbent prepared from bagasse. (A = Basal feed, B = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm), C = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.2% Adsorbent, D = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.3% Adsorbent, E = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.4% Adsorbent, F = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.5% Adsorbent).
Biochemical changes in blood serum represent a stress on liver function [24],[25]. In present study the activities of ALP increased, whereas the concentrations of total protein globulin and albumens in the serum were decreased in chicks of group B. All these are the prime indicators of aflatoxicosis [24],[25] whereas increases ALP level are associated with the hepatobiliary malfunction. It has been also reported that though ALP is not a liver specific enzyme but always associated with liver injuries, biliary stasis and other nonspecific injuries to the body tissues [24]. Our results also demonstrated that chicks of groups D, E and F fed on diet containing aflatoxin and different levels of adsorbent diminished the toxic effects of aflatoxicosis. Same results have been reported by Miazzo et al.[7], Kubena et al.[12], Gowda et al.[18], Ibrahim et al.[21], Jindal et al.[24] and Abdel-Wahhab et al.[25] whose investigations showed that different adsorbent can effectively reduce the negative effects of aflatoxin in chicks consuming aflatoxin contaminated feed.
Serum albumen
Albumen concentration (g/dl) in broiler chickens blood serum given different dietary levels of adsorbent prepared from bagasse. (A = Basal feed, B = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm), C = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.2% Adsorbent, D = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.3% Adsorbent, E = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.4% Adsorbent, F = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.5% Adsorbent).
Blood biochemical parameter alters in chicks consuming aflatoxin contaminated feed [18],[24],[26],[27]. The decreased levels of serum total protein, globulin and albumen contents are the prime indicators of aflatoxicosis which can be reduced by the addition of adsorbent in aflatoxin contaminated feed [7],[18],[21],[24],[25],[28]. Our findings showed that the level of albumen contents were found low in chicks of group B fed on diet containing aflatoxin alone whereas increased levels of albumen were noted in those groups offered feed containing aflatoxin along with different levels of adsorbent.
Serum total proteins
Total protein concentration (g/dl) in broiler chickens blood serum given different dietary levels of adsorbent prepared from bagasse. (A = Basal feed, B = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm), C = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.2% Adsorbent, D = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.3% Adsorbent, E = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.4% Adsorbent, F = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.5% Adsorbent).
Decrease concentration of serum total protein has been proposed as indicator of inhibition of protein synthesis [18]. Our results showed that addition of adsorbent to aflatoxin contaminated feed strongly ameliorated the hazardous effect of aflatoxin. Various reports are available which demonstrated that different adsorbents have the capability to reduce the toxic effect in chicks when offered aflatoxin contaminated feed [7],[18],[20].
Serum globulin
Serum Globulins concentration (g/dl) in broiler chickens blood serum given different dietary levels of adsorbent prepared from bagasse. (A = Basal feed, B = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm), C = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.2% Adsorbent, D = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.3% Adsorbent, E = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.4% Adsorbent, F = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.5% Adsorbent).
According to Yinghua et al.[28] the levels of serum globulin decreases when chick fed diets containing aflatoxin whereas no significant difference were seen between control and that of chicks fed on diets containing aflatoxin plus adsorbent.
Mortality
Relative % mortality of broiler chickens given different levels of adsorbent prepared from bagasse. (A = Basal feed, B = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm), C = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.2% Adsorbent, D = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.3% Adsorbent, E = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.4% Adsorbent, F = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.5% Adsorbent).
Mortality in chicks fed on aflatoxin contaminated feed has been also reported by many workers [29],[30]. Chicks of group B consuming aflatoxin contaminated feed without adsorbent showed high percent mortality as compared to groups C, D, E and F fed with aflatoxin plus different levels of adsorbent.
Body weights
Relative body weight of broiler chickens given different levels of adsorbent prepared from bagasse. (A = Basal feed, B = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm), C = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.2% Adsorbent, D = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.3% Adsorbent, E = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.4% Adsorbent, F = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.5% Adsorbent).
The body weight of chicks decreased when fed on aflatoxin contaminated feed as previously reported by many workers [7],[26],[27],[31]. Our study showed that body weight of chicks of group B decreased throughout the course of study whereas those groups receiving aflatoxin contaminated feed along with different levels of adsorbent showed increase in body weight. Aflatoxins are prim concern to poultry industry because of their negative effects. The lower weight gains in chicks fed with aflatoxin alone as compared to other groups were consistent with previous studies on the toxic effects of aflatoxin [26],[27],[31]. They also investigated a trend in improvement in body weight gain when fed with adsorbent added to aflatoxin contaminated feed.
Liver weight
Relative weight of liver (% body weight) of broiler chicks given different levels of adsorbent prepared from bagasse. (A = Basal feed, B = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm), C = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.2% Adsorbent, D = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.3% Adsorbent, E = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.4% Adsorbent, F = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.5% Adsorbent).
Relative weight of liver in groups D, E and F fed on diet containing aflatoxin plus different levels of adsorbent showed no pathological signs which confirmed that addition of adsorbent to aflatoxin contaminated feed diminish the toxic effects of aflatoxin [32],[33]. The basic theory is that adsorbent detoxify aflatoxin contaminated feed by binding them strongly enough to prevent toxic interaction with the consuming animals and to prevent aflatoxin absorption from the gastrointestinal tract [32].
Kidney weight
Relative weight of kidney (% body weight) of broiler chickens given different levels of adsorbent prepared from bagasse. (A = Basal feed, B = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm), C = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.2% Adsorbent, D = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.3% Adsorbent, E = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.4% Adsorbent, F = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.5% Adsorbent).
The results abstained were in agreements with previous study reported by Huff et al.[34] in which he found that aflatoxin alone in feed increase the kidney weight whereas by addition of adsorbent to aflatoxin contaminated feed ameliorated the deleterious effects of aflatoxin in broiler chicks. The increased relative weight of kidney was probably due to slight renal damage [34].
Spleen weight
Relative weight of spleen (% body weight) of broiler chickens given different levels of adsorbent prepared from bagasse. (A = Basal feed, B = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm), C = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.2% Adsorbent, D = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.3% Adsorbent, E = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.4% Adsorbent, F = Basal feed + Aflatoxin B1 (200 ppm) +0.5% Adsorbent).
Our findings related to group B are in close agreement to Hesham et al.[27] in which the increase in relative spleen weight was due to the presences of aflatoxin in the diet. The results of groups D, E and F showed that addition of the prepared adsorbent in diet ameliorated the toxic effects of aflatoxin B1. These results were in accordance with the work of Miazzo et al.[7], Pasha et al.[20] in which they studied that adsorbents are effective in preventing or ameliorating the changes in organs weights of chicks fed on aflatoxin B1 contaminated feed.
Weight of Bursa of fabricious
Relative weight of Bursa fabricious (% body weight) of broiler chickens given different levels of adsorbent prepared from bagasse.
Hemorrhages in organs
Hemorrhages in organs of broiler chickens given different level of adsorbent prepared from bagasse
Time period | Organs | Maximum possible score | Groups | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A | Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) 200 μg/kg | |||||||
Week(Days) | ||||||||
B | C | D | E | F | ||||
1(7) | Liver | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Kidney | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Heart | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Cumulative score | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2(14) | Liver | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Kidney | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Heart | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Cumulative score | 27 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
3(21) | Liver | 9 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Kidney | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Heart | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Cumulative Score | 27 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
4(28) | Liver | 9 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Kidney | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Heart | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Cumulative score | 27 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
5(35) | Liver | 9 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Kidney | 9 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Heart | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Cumulative score | 27 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
6(42) | Liver | 9 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Kidney | 9 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Heart | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Cumulative score | 27 | 0 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Results showed that tendency of hemorrhages on different organs except heart of group B chicks were found maximum, while that of groups D, E and F consuming aflatoxin and different levels of adsorbent in feed remained normal as compared to group B score. Hemorrhages on different organs in broiler chicks during aflatoxicosis have also been reported by Ortatatli and Oguz [2]. Impairment of coagulation mechanism and hematopoieses increased indothelial cells fragility which might be responsible for tendency of hemorrhages in the tissues [2].
Enlargement of organs
Hemorrhages in organs of broiler chickens given different level of adsorbent prepared from bagasse
Time period | Organs | Maximum possible score | Groups | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A | Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) 200 μg/kg | |||||||
Week (Days) | ||||||||
B | C | D | E | F | ||||
1(7) | Liver | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Kidney | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Heart | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Cumulative score | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2(14) | Liver | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Kidney | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Heart | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Cumulative score | 27 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
3(21) | Liver | 9 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Kidney | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Heart | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Cumulative Score | 27 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
4(28) | Liver | 9 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Kidney | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Heart | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Cumulative score | 27 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
5(35) | Liver | 9 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Kidney | 9 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Heart | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Cumulative score | 27 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
6(42) | Liver | 9 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Kidney | 9 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Heart | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Cumulative score | 27 | 0 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Liver enlargements of intoxicated broiler chicks followed by moderate kidney enlargement during aflatoxicosis have also been documented by Ortatatli and Oguz [2] Enlarged kidney and liver in group B were also evident by the significant increase in relative organs weight of chicks of group B consuming aflatoxin contaminated feed. Enlarged livers and kidneys due to aflatoxicosis have also been reported in other birds like Japanese quil, ducks and water fowls [2],[12],[36]. Our results also demonstrated that by adding different levels of adsorbent in aflatoxin contaminated feed ameliorated the hazardous effects of aflatoxin as previously, reported by [12],[36] in which they studied the ameliorating effects of different adsorbents in checks fed on aflatoxin contaminated feed.
Conclusions
In this study carbon nanocomposites were fed to poultry birds along with aflatoxin B1 and different physiological and blood parameters were monitored. The results of broiler chicks of group D fed on 0.3% of the prepared adsorbent/kg feed were highly significant to group B fed on aflatoxin B1 (200 μg/Kg feed) contaminated feed. Whereas the data of group A (fed on normal basal diet) showed no significant difference to that of group D. The results clearly indicated that the prepared adsorbent 0.3%/ kg feed is highly effective to adsorb and detoxify aflatoxin B1 in gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens and pass safely leaving no harmful effects. However the results of groups E and F fed on 0.4% and 0.5% respectively showed slight variation in tested parameters from group A. From the results it is concluded that the prepared adsorbent can be used as alternative of powdered activated carbon for the detoxification of aflatoxin in poultry feed as the former cause dehydration and salt deficiencies when administered to poultry birds.
Methods
Preparation of adsorbent
Bagasse was used as biomass to produce magnetic carbon nanocomposite. The biomass was shredded and transferred to ethanolic FeCl3.6H2O (10% w/v). After 30 minutes biomass was separated and air dried at room temperature for 24 hours. Thereafter, biomass was charred in a specially designed chamber (designed by the author) consisting of a stainless steel container equipped with an electric heater, wire gauze, nitrogen gas (to provide a nitrogen rich atmosphere) inlet and exhaust outlet. The prepared adsorbent was characterized by surface area analyzer, SEM, XRD, FTIR, TG/DTA and EDX.
Production of aflatoxin B1
Aflatoxin B1 was produced from A. flavous by culturing on rice following the method of Shot Well [2]. The Aflatoxin B1 residues produced were suspended into poly ethylene glycol and the required quantities were evenly mixed with basal feeds to get different level of aflatoxin B1contaminated feed samples. The preparation of basal feed without toxin binder were ordered and purchased from feed mill and checked for Aflatoxin B1 ≤ 1 μg/kg.
Induction of aflatoxicoses in broiler checks
All animal experiments were carried out according to the Scientific Procedures Issue-1 of Animal Bylaws-2008 approved by the legal bodies of the University of Malakand Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Pakistan. The ethical committee of the department of Biochemistry granted approval for conducting this study under the said protocols (ProceduresIssue-1 of Animal Bylaws-2008). A total of 480 one day old broiler chicks were purchased from local hatchery (Rawalpendi, Pakistan) and were kept in poultry house under standard environmental conditions. All these chicks were then equally divided into six different groups (A-F) and given access to fresh water ad libitum.
Experimental protocol
Broiler chickens of different groups were given the following experimental diets.
Group A: Chicks were kept on normal feed throughout study duration.
Group B: Chicks were kept on Aflatoxin B1 (200 μg/kg feed) contaminated feed for 6 weeks.
Group C: Chicks were given Aflatoxin B1 (200 μg/kg feed) contaminated feed mixed with 0.2% of the prepared adsorbent throughout study duration.
Group D: Chicks were given Aflatoxin B1 (200 μg/kg feed) contaminated feed mixed with 0.3% of the prepared adsorbent throughout 6 weeks.
Group E: Chicks were given Aflatoxin B1 (200 μg/kg feed) contaminated feed mixed with 0.4% of the prepared adsorbent throughout study duration.
Group F: Chicks were given Aflatoxin B1 (200 μg/kg feed) contaminated feed mixed with 0.5% of the prepared adsorbent throughout study period.
Observations and analysis
The body weights and mortality of the checks were recorded at the end of every week, while blood serum biochemistry for alanine transferase, alkaline phosphatase, albumen, globulin and total protein were carried out by collecting blood of 3 chicks individually from each group at the end of 1st to 6th weeks using commercially available kits (Diasys Diagnostic system Germany) [37].
Clinical signs
Clinical signs and behavior of chicks given different levels of adsorbent (alertness, Attraction to feed and water, faeces consistency and feather condition) were evaluated by scoring 0 to 3 based upon (0) absence, (1) mild, (2) moderate and (3) maximum. All these observations were carried out at the end of each experimental week [14],[38].
Necropsy of chicks
At the end of experimental weeks three chicks were individually weighed and sacrificed from each group by cervical dislocation. Different organs (liver, Spleen, Kidney and Bursa of Fabricious) were harvested and weighed to determined relative weight. The liver, kidney and heart were collected and scored for gross lesion as described in clinical signs [14],[38].
Statistical analysis
The data were analyzed for descriptive statistics, analysis of variance tests and LSD All-pair wise comparisons test using STATISTIX 8.1 package. The data were considered significantly different at P-value ≤0.05. The scores for clinical signs and gross lesions were compared with control group on arithmetical difference bases.
Authors’ contributions
FAK carried the practical work MZ conceived the idea, did literature survey and drafted the manuscript. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Declarations
Acknowledgement
All the authors are thankful to Higher Education Commission of Pakistan for providing funds for my research at Pakistan Council of Science and Industrial Research (PCSIR) complex Peshawar and PCSIR for providing facilities and environment conducive for research.
Authors’ Affiliations
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