Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences1028-88801812-5735Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/pjbs.2009.589.594FigueroaS. CentenoS. CalvoM.A. RengelA. AdelantadoC. 72009127The main objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency distribution of mycobiota and the concentration of Ochratoxin A (OTA) in 50 samples from one company of commercial brand poultry feed produced in Venezuela. The concentration of OTA in the samples analyzed was determined using the competitive ELISA method. The most frequently isolated genera of moulds were Aspergillus (36%) and Penicillium (20%). Of these genera, the most frequently isolated species were Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terreus and Penicillium citrinum. Ochratoxigenic species such as Eurotium herbariorum, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus ochraceus and Aspergillus glaucus, were also found with lower frequency. Rhodotorula mucilaginosa was the only yeast isolated. 94% of the samples presented contamination by OTA in a range between 2.558 and 31.978 μg kg-1 feed and 42% of them presented OTA levels from 10 up to 20 μg kg-1. The findings of this investigation show that 84% of the samples of concentrated feed for meat poultry surpass the maximum permitted limit for OTA of 5 μg kg-1, established in the majority of countries in which regulations are placed.]]>Bacon, C.W., J.G. Sweeney, J.D. Robbins and D. Burdick, 1973Aspergillus ochraceus: Temperature and moisture requeriments.]]>26155160Bennett, J.W. and M. Klich,200316497516Boudra, H., P. Le Bars and J. Le Bars, 19956111561158Dalcero, A., C. Magnoli, C. Hallak, S. Chiacchiera, G. Palacio and C. Rosa, 2002Aspergillus section Nigri in Argentina.]]>1910651072Dalcero, A., C. Magnoli, M. Luna, G. Ancasi, M.M. Reynoso, S. Chiacchiera, R. Miazzo and G. Palacio,19981413743D'Mello, J.P.F. and A.M.C. Macdonald, 199769155166FAO, 20031st Edn.,FAO.,20041st Edn.,Fraga, M.E., F. Curvello, M.J. Gatti, L.R. Cavaglieri, A.M. Dalcero and C.A. da Rocha Rosa,2007Aspergillus species in poultry feed processing.]]>31343353IARC,199356489521Labuda, R. and D. Tancinova,200613193200Larsen, T.O., A. Svendsen and J. Smedsgaard, 2001Penicillium.]]>6736303635López de Cerain, A., A.M. Jiménez, O. Ezpeleta and J. Bello,20072007Magnoli, C., A. Astoreca, S. Chiacchiera and A. Dalcero,2007163249260Magnoli, C., C. Hallak, A. Astoreca, L. Ponsone, S.M. Chiacchiera, G. Palacio and A. Dalcero, 200529431445Magnoli, C., A.M. Saenz, S.M. Chiacchiera, R. Miazzo and M.A. Saenz, 1998Aspergillus group and Penicillium species in poultry feeds from Argentina.]]>1422732Miller, J.D.,199531116Murphy, P.A., S. Hendrich, C. Landgren and C. Bryant,200671R51R65Oliveira, G., J. Ribeiro, M. Fraga, L. Cavaglieri, G. Direito, K. Keller, A. Dalcero and C. Rosa,2006162355362Pacin, A.M., H.H.L. Gonzalez, M. Etcheverry, S.L. Resnik, L. Vivas and S. Espin, 20031568792Pitt, J.I. and A.D. Hocking, 19972nd Edn.,Saunders, D., F. Meredith and A. Voss, 2001109333336Scudamore, K., 2005221725Thirumala-Devi, K., M.A. Mayo, G. Reddy and D.V.R. Reddy, 20026513381340Walker, R.,2002504249255Zimmerli, B. and R. Dick, 199613655668Samson, R.A., 20006th Edn.,Vilariño, M.M., A.M. León and M. Picard,199614191213Vivas, F.,20052005Rosa, C.A.R., J.M.M. Ribeiro, M.J. Fraga, M. Gatti and L.R. Cavaglieri et al.,2006Aspergillus and Penicillium species.]]>1138996