Influence of various concentrations of aflatoxin B1 on in vitro rumen fermentation of a buffalo diet

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on in vitro rumen fermentation at various dose levels of 0 (T1), 100 (T2), 200 (T3), and 300 (T4) ppb in a wheat straw-based buffalo diet. The results show that the truly degradable dry matter, truly degradable organic matter, gas production, microbial biomass production and partitioning factor values in the control group (T1) were higher (p < 0.05) than those of the T2, T3, and T4 groups. The total volatile fatty acids, acetate, propionate, and butyrate values in the control group (T1) were higher (p < 0.05) than those of the T2, T3, and T4 groups. The partitioning factor value in the control group (T1) was higher (p < 0.05) than those of the T2, T3, and T4 groups. The partitioning factor values of the T2 and T3 groups were higher (p < 0.05) than that of the T4 group. There was no significant variation in the partitioning factor value between the T2 and T3 group. The acetate : propionate (A : P) ratio in the control group (T1) was lower (p < 0.05) than those of the T2, T3, and T4 groups. The A : P ratio in the T2 group was lower (p < 0.05) than those of the T3 and T4 groups. It was concluded that different levels of AFB1 contamination in feed significantly affect the in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics. Thus, these findings could help to determine the influences of AFB1 in a wheat straw-based buffalo diet. Additionally, it is necessary to manage AFB1 contamination in ruminants.