Abstract

This study aimed to examine the efficacy of zeolite addition in the reduction of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) levels in household bread waste used as animal feed. Three levels of zeolite (1, 3 and 5%) were added to two dry bread waste samples naturally contaminated by AFB₁ at 11.48 and 4.8 ppm levels. Samples were then analyzed before zeolite treatment (day 0) and after 7 and 14 days of storage for chemical (pH, moisture content and ash) and microbial (mesophilic bacteria and molds) changes as well as aflatoxin levels relative to the control. Data analysis showed that aflatoxin levels significantly decreased as zeolite and storage time increased, so that the lowest level of aflatoxin was found in sample treated with 5% zeolite after 14 days of storage compared with the control (p<0.05). Such a trend was also observed in bacterial and mold counts. However, storage time had less effect than zeolite. Chemical analyses of bread samples exhibited significant increases in pH values and corresponding decreases in moisture and ash contents in all storage time points compared with the control. These findings suggest zeolite addition as a viable method of reduction of AFB₁ levels in household bread waste used as animal feed.

Keywords: Zeolite, aflatoxin, reduction, household bread waste, cattle feed.