This experiment investigated the effects of gamma radiation on the mycoflora of natural ingredients and poultry feed, and its impact on species of Aspergillus spp. Corn meal, soybean meal, feed and maize (inoculated with spore suspension of Aspergillus spp.) were irradiated with 0, 3.5, 8 and 15kGy by exposure to a 137Cs source. Increasing radiation doses led to lower counts so elimination of mycoflora was observed at 8kGy. In addition, filamentous fungi exhibited a greater resistance to radiation than yeasts and those that withstood 3.5kGy were mostly Cladosporium spp., Curvularia spp., Fusarium spp. or Aspergillus spp. A. flavus and A. parasiticus have been found to be the most resistant among the species studied. Post-irradiation reduction in the spore production as well as presence of resistance structures have been observed. When such altered colonies were isolated and grown on nutritional media again, they recovered their normal growth pattern. In addition, a significant increase in the production of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A was found, probably due to metabolic stress caused by irradiation.
irradiation; corn; fungi; mycotoxin
