Anti-aflatoxigenic activity of Punica granatum and Ziziphus jujuba leaves against Aspergillus parasiticus inoculated poultry feed: Effect of storage conditions

The anti-aflatoxigenic activity of Punica granatum and Ziziphus jujuba leaves were investigated in Aspergillus parasiticus inoculated broiler feed. The commercial broiler feed was treated with plant leaves powder (5%, 10% and 15% w/w) and stored for the period of six months at different temperature and moisture conditions. Aflatoxins (AFTs-B1, B2, G1, G2) concentrations were determined at the end of each month by HPLC method and compared with control. P. granatum leaves inhibited AFTs production up to 100% up to four months of storage, whereas Z. Jujuba leaves exhibited AFTs production up to 3 months. The P. granatum and Z. Jujuba leaves AFTs inhibition in feed inoculated with A. parasiticus revealed that these plants are the potential source of antifungal activity, which could be employed to inhibit the stored feed degradation due to AFTs produced by A. parasiticus.