Enzyme-related aflatoxin production in vital organs of rats fed with Aspergillus species- inoculated rat chow

Abstract

Wister strain Albino rats were fed with 40 mL distilled water and 20g of rat chow inoculated with Aspergillus tamarii Kita IMI 393765 and Aspergillus flavus Link IMI 393766 daily for 7 days. A progressive weight loss and reduced sluggishness accompanied very high activity at OD 540 of hepato-specific enzymes-Glutamate oxalate transaminase and Glutamate pyruvate transaminase in the heart and kidney of rats having continuous 7-day contact with Aspergillus flavus. Statistical analyses revealed significance at 0.05 % level of probability. A corresponding high aflatoxin level (above 20 ppb) was also determined in all the vital organs. Both enzyme and aflatoxin levels were comparatively lower in the liver and perforations were recorded in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to content leakage. Lower values, though higher than the control, were recorded in those fed on Aspergillus tamarii-inoculated rat chow, which also experienced no GI tract damage.