Abstract

TOXICITY STUDY OF FUNGAL INFESTED RAGI STRAW IN RATS

Niranjana S.*, Shridhar N.B., Sunilchandra U., Jayaramu G.M., Nagaraja K., Santosh A. Sajjan, Chandrashekhar G., Niranjan D. and Vinuta M.H.

Abstract

The present study was designed to assess the toxicity of fungal-contaminated ragi straw in rats. Aspergillus flavus and Rhizopus oryzae were the isolated fungi in the fungal-contaminated ragi straw samples. Potato dextrose (PD) broth mycelium- free culture filtrate obtained by these fungi, analyzed for mycotoxins by HPLC-FLD (High Performance Liquid Chromatography-with Fluorescence Detector) method, detected aflatoxin B1 at concentration 279.0 µg/kg. The ragi straw feed sample revealed aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2 at trace concentrations. Repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity study (as per OECD 407 guidelines) was conducted in three groups (n= 10 per group) Wister rats of both sexes. Mixed fungal culture filtrates (1:1 ratio) were gavaged in doses of 0.5 (Low dose), 1(Medium dose) and 2 ml (High dose)/100g of body weight in Group I, II and III respectively and were monitored for signs of toxicity. Body weights were recorded and blood samples were taken on day 0, 14th and 28th for haematological and biochemical parameters analysis. There was significantly (p

Keywords: Ragi straw, Toxicity, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus oryzae, Rat.