One hundred and twenty six albino male rats (average initial body weight of
105 g) were divided into 14 dietary groups (3 replicates X 3 animals/group). They fed
for 21 weeks on a control (C) diet, C + 0.5% or 1% tafia1 C + 1 or 3% ammonia, C ÷ 3
or 6% H202, C + 1000 ppb afiatoxin (A), A + tafia or ammonia or H202 (at the same
previous levels). The animals were housed in wire cages and fed ad libitum and
water was available for 24 hours daily. The obtained results cleared that feeding rats
on the aflatoxin( AF)-diet alone depressed the live body weight, daily body weight
gain, feed intake, feed efficiency and increased mortality rate. The reduction in live
BW was increased with the progress of feeding period, being 28.3% at 13 weeks old
and 41.3% at 21 weeks old. Addition of different additives (tafia, ammonia and
hydrogen peroxide) to the AF-diet decreased the deleterious effects of aflatoxin on
rats performance compared with those fed the AF-diet alone. However, the effective
additive lo protect against the negative effect of afiatoxin was tafia. Aflatoxin excreted
in faeces (as % of intake) was higher in rats fed the AF-diet with different additives
than in those fed the AF-diet alone. Rats fed the AF-diet alone had higher level of
serum urea-N, uric acid, creatinine, ASTI ALT and alkaline phosphatase and lower
levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein and albumin than those fed the
uncontaminated diet (control). Addition of different additives to the AF-diet decreased
the deleterious effects of afiatoxin on blood parameters. Tafia was the best additive to
protect against the negative effect of aflatoxin on blood. The relative weights of the
internal organs (liver, kidneys, spleen, testes, heart and lungs) increased by feeding
the contaminated diets. The different dietary additives did not improve the toxic
effects of afiatoxin. Therefore it becomes clear to what extent is the seriousness of
foodborne aflatoxicosis by animals (and consequently consumers). Even adsorbents
(although they slightly reduce absorption) still neither obstacle nor sufficient mean for
removing afiatoxins and its toxic effects. Where it is to impose upon the concern of
prophyaxis against fungal invasion of feedstuffs and their ingredients to prevent
consequently mycotoxin production on feeds.