Screening of Aflatoxins and Zearalenone in feedstuffs and complete feeds for pigs in Southern Vietnam

A survey of aflatoxins and zearalenone (ZEA) in 120 samples, including cassava chip (12), maize (12), rice bran (24), broken rice (24), and complete feeds for growing pigs (24) and sows (24) was carried out in southern Vietnam. Aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)), B-2 (AFB(2)), G(1) (AFG(1)) and G(2) (AFG(2)) were determined by an HPLC method using an immunoaffinity column for clean-up. Zearalenone was analysed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) AgraQuant((R)). High incidences of aflatoxins and ZEA in feedstuffs and pig feeds (83.3%-100%) were detected. Aflatoxins and ZEA were detected in all commodities analyzed. Aflatoxin B1 was found in 100, 92, 92, 83, 100 and 96%, respectively, of samples of cassava chip, maize, rice bran, broken rice, and complete feeds for growing pigs and sows, with mean concentrations of 0.86, 77.5, 1.3, 1.6, 4.7 and 7.5 mu g/kg, respectively. AFB(2) and AFG(1) were found in low concentrations and co-occurred with AFB(1) in all samples where they were found. ZEA was detected in 8%, 33%, 36%, 21%, 67% and 67%, respectively, of the samples of cassava chip, maize, rice bran, broken rice, and complete feeds for growing pigs and sows, with average concentrations of 10.0, 163.5, 83.1, 31.4, 86.0 and 101.4 mu g/kg, respectively. The high incidence of mycotoxins found in feedstuffs highlights the need for periodic monitoring and prevention of mycotoxins, not only in feeds, but also in food for human consumption.