A comparison of mycotoxin contamination of premium and grocery brands of pelleted cat food in South Africa

Authors

  • Sanil D Singh University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • Sooraj Baijnath University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • Anil A Chuturgoon University of KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

Contamination with mycotoxins is of concern to pet owners and veterinary practitioners owing to their ability to cause disease and exacerbate the pathological changes associated with other diseases. Currently, there is a lack of information regarding the mycotoxin content of common premium brand (PB) and grocery brand (GB) cat feeds. Therefore, we undertook to determine the mycobiota content of feed samples, from both categories (n = 6 each), and measured the levels of aflatoxin (AF), fumonisin (FB), ochratoxin A (OTA) and zearalenone (ZEA) by high performance liquid chromatographic analysis. There were high concentrations
of mycotoxins in both categories of feed, regardless of the notion that PBs are of a higher quality. The concentration of these toxins may contribute to the development of related pathologies in felines.

Author Biographies

  • Sanil D Singh, University of KwaZulu-Natal

    Biomedical Resource Centre, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

  • Sooraj Baijnath, University of KwaZulu-Natal

    Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

  • Anil A Chuturgoon, University of KwaZulu-Natal

    Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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Published

2021-12-09

Issue

Section

Original Research