USE OF POMEGRANATE PEEL AS AN ANTIFUNGAL AND ADSORBENT MATERIAL FOR THE REMOVAL OF TOTAL AFLATOXINS (IN VITRO)

PP was evaluated for its ability to control the Aspergillus flavus growth and to adsorb its toxic metabolite (Total aflatoxin-TAF) from aqueous solutions as well. The study was performed to evaluate the influence of different inclusion rates of dried Pomegranate Peel (PP) (0.0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 and3.0%) in the media used to count the total number of colony forming units (cfu) of Aspergillus flavus. Obtained data revealed that, inclusion of the examined substrate at 0.4% showed significant reduction of the total colony forming units compared to the control treatment (0.0%). Evaluation of various parameters i.e. adsorbent level (3, 6, 9, 12, and 15%), contact time (shaking time) 1, 2 and 4 hours, and TAF concentrations (382.11, 763.72, 1145.58 and 1527.44ppm) was also performed. Chemisorption indices were determined by HPLC analysis of extracts of the supernatants (extracted with chloroform). Adsorption abilities ranged from 27% to 99%. The maximum removal of TAF being 98.8%, took place at 15% PP present in solution (w/v) and 4hrs shaking time. Also, PP showed high adsorption abilities at increasing TAF concentration. PP efficiency in feed against aflatoxicosis should be verified further by in vivo tests.
It is recommended in the view of the results obtained in this study that, PP can be used in animal feeding as toxin binder as it has the ability to adsorb mycotoxins. Further biological and toxicological trials are required and more research work with animals at low level of toxins.