NATURAL OCCURANCE OF FUNGI AND AFLATOXINS OF PALM KERNEL CAKE IN MALAYSIA: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

AGRICULTURE SCIENCE

Palm kernel cake (PKC), a by-product of palm oil is produced throughout the year in Malaysia and is used as animal feed especially for ruminants and poultry. The tropical climate in Malaysia is a conducive factor for aflatoxin-producing fungi growth. Aflatoxins contamination of PKC represents a serious food safety hazard. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fungal contamination and the presence of aflatoxins in PKC sampled in Malaysia. PKC samples were collected at selected PKC mills in Malaysia. These samples were cultured for fungal identification and analyzed for aflatoxins. The common fungi isolated from the PKC were Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp., Mucor sp. and Rhizopus sp. All PKCs were analyzed for aflatoxins, with a detection below 1.0 μg/kg, hence complying with the requirements of maximum permissible limit (20 μg/kg) by FDA and European Union. Since the isolated aflatoxigenic fungi such as Aspergillus sp. can be detected in PKC it is recommended that a good storage management practice should implemented to reduce potential toxin risk

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