Determination of aflatoxin B1 in feeds and its metabolites M1 in eggs from selected farms in Serere district

Abstract

The study was conducted in Olio Sub-County and Serere town council Serere district. The study determined aflatoxin B1 in feeds and its metabolites M1 in eggs from selected farms. Objectives of the study were to evaluate storage and management of poultry feeds in selected farms. Secondly, to determine the quantity of aflatoxin B1 in poultry feeds and lastly, to determine the quantity of aflatoxin M1 in eggs. The study employed purposive research design on thirty established poultry farms of Olio Sub-County and Serere town council in Serere District. Data collection methods were using questionnaires and conducting interviews. The raw data obtained after analytical determination of aflatoxin B1 in feeds and its metabolites m1 in eggs was statistically analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software. Processed data is presented in frequency tables, graphs, and pie-charts. Data collected from the participants was kept safely and confidentially. Findings of this study showed that majority - beyond half (67%) of the respondents kept poultry feeds within their poultry farms for a month whereas 33% of the respondents kept their feeds for 2 weeks. In addition, the study showed that, (22) of the farmers’ sampled population for the study used sacks for storage of their poultry feeds for two weeks. Further studies should focus on the partial effective measure farers should adopt to control the toxins in poultry feeds.