Biochemical and Histopathological Effects of Aflatoxin on ...

All the ingredients were powdered, sieved, blended <strong>and</strong> extruded
through a kitchen noodle maker with a 3 mm die, dried at 4SoCovernight <strong>and</strong>
stored in airtight containers.
3.3.6.b Experimental diet
The experimental diet had the same composition as that <strong>of</strong> the control
diet to which varying quantities <strong>of</strong> the toxin was added from the stock
solution. Three experimental diets with 0.37Sppm, 2.Sppm <strong>and</strong> 6ppm were
prepared by adding the required quantities from the stock solution into the oil
portion <strong>of</strong> the diet before blending <strong>and</strong> the chlor<strong>of</strong>orm was allowed to
evaporate. The ingredients were mixed with water, extruded <strong>and</strong> then dried.
3.4Results
The amount <strong>of</strong> aflatoxin extracted from 14S0g <strong>of</strong> rice grain inoculated
with the fungus was 2.7 mg <strong>and</strong> this was dissolved in lSml <strong>of</strong> chlor<strong>of</strong>orm to
obtain the aflatoxin stock st<strong>and</strong>ard.
35 Discussion
Amongst the chemical factors affecting aflatoxin synthesis <strong>and</strong> levels
<strong>of</strong> aflatoxin production, the type <strong>of</strong> substrate used has a major influence on
aflatoxin production. In the present study rice was chosen as substrate for
production <strong>of</strong> aflatoxin since studies have shown that optimum aflatoxin
production occurs on solid substrates rich in carbohydrates such as coconut,
wheat, rice <strong>and</strong> cottonseed (Detroy et al. 1971).
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