ESTIMATION OF THE MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF POULTRY FEED

Abstract

Microbiologically flawed feed not only negatively impacts animal health but also results in production losses. Food deterioration can be caused by bacteria and fungi. Microbiological control of food used for poultry nutrition was done in these investigations. The study was carried out in the microbiology lab on the grounds of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food. The quantity of saprophytic bacteria, yeasts, and molds, as well as the presence of bacteria from the genera Salmonella sp., Clostridia, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, were all measured. Additionally, phytopathogenic fungi up to the genus were identified and isolated. The number of bacteria ranged from 3.15 x10-4 CFU/g to 97.55 x10-4 CFU/g, and yeasts and molds from 2.34 x10-3 CFU/g to 18.50 x10-3 CFU/g. Of the ten samples tested, Clostridium was not detected in any, while Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 9 samples. Salmonella spp. and E. coli were present in half of all samples tested. By examining the morphological characteristics of grown colonies, pure cultures of fungi, as well as microscopic identification of hyphae, spore-bearing organs and spores, in the analyzed samples, the presence of the following genera of molds was determined; Aspergillus, Penicillium and Mucor. The results of the research were compared with the rules for the microbiological quality of animal feed. The determined number of microorganisms is within the prescribed values