Sub chronic toxicity study of rhizopus oryzae culture filtrate from ground nut hay in rats

Sub chronic toxicity study of culture filtrate of Rhizopus oryzae isolated from the fungal contaminated ground nut hay was conducted in rats. The fungi was isolated from the contaminated groundnut hay, which caused mycotoxicosis in cross bred cattle, which exhibited the clinical signs of colic, tenesmus, ruminal atony,anorexia, bleeding from nostrils, rectum and fly bite site. The rats were gavaged with culture filtrate at the dose level of 0.5, 1 and 2 ml daily for 90 days. Clinical signs observed were diarrhea, weakness, slight arching of back and swollen forehead. Loss of balance in the legs region seen. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in serum concentrations of ALT, AST and creatinine indicated the hepatic and renal damage which were confirmed by histopathology. There were lesions in the GI tract of the treated rats. The present study indicated the toxic feature of the culture filtrate of Rhizopus oryzae isolated from ground nut hay.