High Incidence of Aflatoxin B₁ in Pearl Millet Samples: A Report

A multi mycotoxin screening report of about 33 pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) samples were prepared in the Animal Feed Analytical and Quality Assurance Laboratory, Namakkal during the months of August and September 2023. The samples were received to the laboratory from the livestock and poultry farmers of different geographical regions of Tamil Nadu. Among the 33 pearl millet samples, the Aflatoxin B₁ was the most predominant toxin, the concentration of Aflatoxin B₁ and B₂ were ranged widely from 11 to 1155 µg/kg and 8 to 116 µg/kg. The mean value of Aflatoxin B₁ and B₂ observed to be 310.88 ± 57.16 µg/kg and 33.71 ± 5.02 µg/kg. The moisture percentage of the pearl millet samples varied from 11.02 to 13.60%. The mean value of the moisture content was 12.07 ± 0.10%. The samples with high Aflatoxin B₁ and high moisture had an earthy odour also. About 57.58% of the pearl millet samples recorded above 100 µg/kg for Aflatoxin B₁. Conclusively, the mycotoxin contamination of the samples may be due to moistening and mold growth. The ingestion of high Aflatoxin B₁ contaminated samples by livestock and poultry may result in immune suppression, reduction in egg production, poor weight gain and even mortality also. Hence, the farmers are advised to routinely analyze their feed ingredients like cereals and oilcakes for multi mycotoxins at the nearby feed analytical laboratories to avoid financial loss.