Abstract:
Aflatoxins are a group of highly toxic mycotoxins. They can contaminate a variety of
feed products, including commercial dog food. This study investigated aflatoxin
contamination in various commercial dog food brands in Ghana. A total of 18 samples
of commercial dog food were collected from two major cities, Kumasi and Accra. The
samples were analyzed for the presence of toxic fungi, particularly Aspergillus spp.,
using a standard cultural method. The levels of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 in the
samples were also determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography.
Aspergillus spp. was found in 65 % of the samples, with Aspergillus flavus being the
most prevalent species. This suggests that commercial dog food in Ghana is at a high
risk of aflatoxin contamination. The average concentrations of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1,
and G2 in the samples were 8.58±1.68 ng/g, 53.24±0.43 ng/g, 53.30±0.49 ng/g, and
<0.20 ng/g, respectively. The predominant aflatoxin was aflatoxin B1, which is known
to be mutagenic and carcinogenic. Also, a total of 16.7 % of the samples had total
aflatoxins that exceeded the FDA(USA) mandated limit of 20 ng/g (20 ppb) for animal
feeding. The findings of this study suggest that aflatoxin contamination is a serious
problem in commercial dog food in Ghana. This poses a significant health risk to dogs,
as aflatoxins can cause a variety of health problems, including liver damage,
immunosuppression, and cancer. The study also highlights the importance of routine
monitoring for aflatoxin contamination in commercial dog food, especially in
repackaged commercial dog food. Good hygiene standards should be maintained during
storage and repackaging to prevent the development of aflatoxins.
Description:
A Thesis in the Department of Chemistry Education,
Faculty of Science Education, submitted to the School
of Graduate Studies, in partial fulfilment of
the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Philosophy
(Chemistry)
in the University of Education, Winneba
