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Safety and quality of compound feed for experimental animals in Costa Rica is unknown. Some contaminants, such as Salmonella spp. and mycotoxins, could elicit confounding effects in laboratory animals used for biomedical research. In this study, different batches of extruded animal feed, intended for laboratory rodents in Costa Rica, were analyzed to determine mycotoxin and microbiological contamination (i.e., Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, total coliform bacteria, and total yeast and molds enumeration). Two methods for Salmonella decontamination (UV light and thermal treatment) were assessed. Only n = 2 of the samples were negative (representing 12.50%) for the 26 mycotoxins tested. Enniatins and fumonisins were among the most frequent toxins found (with n = 4+ hits), but the level of contamination and the type of mycotoxins depended on the supplier. None of the indicator microorganisms, nor Salmonella, were found in any of the tested batches, and no mold contamination, nor Salmonella growth, occurs during storage (i.e., 2–6 months under laboratory conditions). However, mycotoxins, such as enniatins and fumonisins tend to decrease after the fourth month of storage, and Salmonella exhibited a lifespan of 64 days at 17 °C even in the presence of UV light. The D-values for Salmonella were between 65.58 ± 2.95 (65 °C) and 6.21 ± 0.11 (80 °C) min, and the thermal destruction time (z-value) was calculated at 15.62 °C. Results from this study suggest that laboratory rodents may be at risk of contamination from animal feed that could significantly affect the outcomes of biomedical experiments. Thus, improved quality controls and handling protocols for the product are suggested.
Fabio Granados-Chinchilla; Carol Valenzuela-Martínez; Berny García-Murillo; David Aguilar-Madrigal; Mauricio Redondo-Solano; Andrea Molina. Microbiological Safety and Presence of Major Mycotoxins in Animal Feed for Laboratory Animals in a Developing Country: The Case of Costa Rica. Animals 2021, 11, 2389 .
AMA StyleFabio Granados-Chinchilla, Carol Valenzuela-Martínez, Berny García-Murillo, David Aguilar-Madrigal, Mauricio Redondo-Solano, Andrea Molina. Microbiological Safety and Presence of Major Mycotoxins in Animal Feed for Laboratory Animals in a Developing Country: The Case of Costa Rica. Animals. 2021; 11 (8):2389.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFabio Granados-Chinchilla; Carol Valenzuela-Martínez; Berny García-Murillo; David Aguilar-Madrigal; Mauricio Redondo-Solano; Andrea Molina. 2021. "Microbiological Safety and Presence of Major Mycotoxins in Animal Feed for Laboratory Animals in a Developing Country: The Case of Costa Rica." Animals 11, no. 8: 2389.
Costa Rican animal feed production is continually growing, with approximately 1,238,243 metric tons produced in 2018. Production-wise, pet cat and dog food are in fifth place (about 41,635 metric tons per year) amongst animal feeds, and it supplies up to 90% of the national market. Pet food production has increased as a response to the increase in the population of dogs and cats in Costa Rica, where 50.5% of households own at least one dog and indicates more responsible ownership in terms of feeding pets. Part of the process of making dry pet food involves a thermal process called extrusion, which is capable of eliminating the microbial load. However, extrusion can compromise nutritional quality to some extent by denaturing proteins, oxidizing lipids, and reducing digestibility. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality and safety of dry pet food and to assess the effect of the extrusion process on digestibility and the quality of proteins, amino acids, and fatty acids. Pet food samples were collected before and after extrusion and were used to evaluate Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), based on Central American Technical Regulation (RTCA 65.05.63:11). In general terms, weaknesses in infrastructure, documentary evidence, and post-process practices were observed in two Costa Rican feed manufactories. Feed safety was surveyed through the analysis of Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Listeria spp., Staphylococcus aureus, aerobic mesophilic microorganisms, fungi, and yeasts counts. The extrusion process effectively reduced pathogenic microorganisms, and showed no effect on the digestibility of dog food (p = 0.347), however, it could reduce the availability of some nutrients (e.g., amino acids, fatty acids). Furthermore, a retrospective diagnosis was made for puppy food (n = 68), dog food (n = 158), and cat food (n = 25), to evaluate the history of nutritional quality and safety. Finally, it can be confirmed that the correct implementation of GMP allows feed manufacturers to deliver a product of optimum texture, smell, nutritional composition, and safety.
Astrid Leiva; Andrea Molina; Mauricio Redondo-Solano; Graciela Artavia; Lizeth Rojas-Bogantes; Fabio Granados-Chinchilla; Redondo- Solano; Rojas- Bogantes; Granados- Chinchilla. Pet Food Quality Assurance and Safety and Quality Assurance Survey within the Costa Rican Pet Food Industry. Animals 2019, 9, 980 .
AMA StyleAstrid Leiva, Andrea Molina, Mauricio Redondo-Solano, Graciela Artavia, Lizeth Rojas-Bogantes, Fabio Granados-Chinchilla, Redondo- Solano, Rojas- Bogantes, Granados- Chinchilla. Pet Food Quality Assurance and Safety and Quality Assurance Survey within the Costa Rican Pet Food Industry. Animals. 2019; 9 (11):980.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAstrid Leiva; Andrea Molina; Mauricio Redondo-Solano; Graciela Artavia; Lizeth Rojas-Bogantes; Fabio Granados-Chinchilla; Redondo- Solano; Rojas- Bogantes; Granados- Chinchilla. 2019. "Pet Food Quality Assurance and Safety and Quality Assurance Survey within the Costa Rican Pet Food Industry." Animals 9, no. 11: 980.
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites, produced by fungi of genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium (among others), which produce adverse health effects on humans and animals (carcinogenic, teratogenic and immunosuppressive). In addition, mycotoxins negatively affect the productive parameters of livestock (e.g., weight, food consumption, and food conversion). Epidemiological studies are considered necessary to assist stakeholders with the process of decision-making regarding the control of mycotoxins in processing environments. This study addressed the prevalence in feed ingredients and compound feed of eight different types of toxins, including metabolites produced by Fusarium spp. (Deoxynivalenol/3-acetyldeoxynivalenol, T-2/HT-2 toxins, zearalenone and fumonisins) and two additional toxins (i.e., ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxin M1 (AFM1)) from different fungal species, for over a period of five years. On the subject of Fusarium toxins, higher prevalences were observed for fumonisins (n = 80/113, 70.8%) and DON (n = 212/363, 58.4%), whereas, for OTA, a prevalence of 40.56% was found (n = 146/360). In the case of raw material, mycotoxin contamination exceeding recommended values were observed in cornmeal for HT-2 toxin (n = 3/24, 12.5%), T-2 toxin (n = 3/61, 4.9%), and ZEA (n = 2/45, 4.4%). In contrast, many compound feed samples exceeded recommended values; in dairy cattle feed toxins such as DON (n = 5/147, 3.4%), ZEA (n = 6/150, 4.0%), T-2 toxin (n = 10/171, 5.9%), and HT-2 toxin (n = 13/132, 9.8%) were observed in high amounts. OTA was the most common compound accompanying Fusarium toxins (i.e., 16.67% of co-occurrence with ZEA). This study also provided epidemiological data for AFM1 in liquid milk. The outcomes unveiled a high prevalence of contamination (i.e., 29.6–71.1%) and several samples exceeding the regulatory threshold. Statistical analysis exposed no significant climate effect connected to the prevalence of diverse types of mycotoxins.
Andrea Molina; Guadalupe Chavarría; Margarita Alfaro-Cascante; Astrid Leiva; Fabio Granados-Chinchilla. Mycotoxins at the Start of the Food Chain in Costa Rica: Analysis of Six Fusarium Toxins and Ochratoxin A between 2013 and 2017 in Animal Feed and Aflatoxin M1 in Dairy Products. Toxins 2019, 11, 312 .
AMA StyleAndrea Molina, Guadalupe Chavarría, Margarita Alfaro-Cascante, Astrid Leiva, Fabio Granados-Chinchilla. Mycotoxins at the Start of the Food Chain in Costa Rica: Analysis of Six Fusarium Toxins and Ochratoxin A between 2013 and 2017 in Animal Feed and Aflatoxin M1 in Dairy Products. Toxins. 2019; 11 (6):312.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndrea Molina; Guadalupe Chavarría; Margarita Alfaro-Cascante; Astrid Leiva; Fabio Granados-Chinchilla. 2019. "Mycotoxins at the Start of the Food Chain in Costa Rica: Analysis of Six Fusarium Toxins and Ochratoxin A between 2013 and 2017 in Animal Feed and Aflatoxin M1 in Dairy Products." Toxins 11, no. 6: 312.
Introducción. La resistencia de los microorganismos a los antibióticos es un problema creciente de salud pública, que puede afectar a los productores pecuarios al contar con menos opciones para tratar a los animales ante una posible infección. Los extractos de algunas plantas con actividad antimicrobiana podrían representar una alternativa al uso de antibióticos en producción pecuaria. Objetivo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la composición química y la actividad antimicrobiana de los aceites esenciales de las hojas de guayaba (Psidium guajava L.) y de zacate de limón (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf), cultivadas en Costa Rica, y evaluar la actividad antimicrobiana de P. guajava L. en harina de carne y hueso. Materiales y métodos. Esta investigación se desarrolló en el Centro de Investigación en Nutrición Animal (CINA) de la Universidad de Costa Rica entre marzo y octubre del 2016. Las hojas de P. guajava se recolectaron en las localidades de San Pedro y Escazú y las de C. citratus en Sarapiquí y Escazú, Costa Rica. La extracción de los aceites se realizó mediante hidrodestilación. La composición química se analizó mediante cromatografía de gases y espectrometría de masas. La capacidad antimicrobiana de los aceites esenciales se evaluó mediante la prueba de difusión en disco y el procedimiento de microdilución en placa de 96 pozos. Resultados. Los aceites esenciales de C. citratus y P. guajava presentaron actividad antimicrobiana contra las diez cepas bacterianas probadas, las bacterias gram positivas fueron las más sensibles a los mismos. El aceite de P. guajava procedente de Escazú, presentó mayor actividad antimicrobiana in vitro con respecto al proveniente de San Pedro y al aceite de C. citratus. El aceite de P. guajava eliminó Escherichia coli, que había sido previamente agregada a una matriz de harina de carne y hueso, pero no controló la colonización de la misma. Conclusión. Según los resultados obtenidos en esta investigación los aceites esenciales de zacate de Limón y de hoja de guayaba cultivadas en Costa Rica, presentan un efecto antimicrobiano contra bacterias relevantes para la inocuidad y la vida útil de alimentos para consumo animal, se requieren futuras investigaciones para evaluar su aplicabilidad en alimentación animal.
María José Bermúdez-Vásquez; Fabio Granados-Chinchilla; Andrea Molina. Composición química y actividad antimicrobiana del aceite esencial de Psidium guajava y Cymbopogon citratus. Agronomía Mesoamericana 2019, 147 -163.
AMA StyleMaría José Bermúdez-Vásquez, Fabio Granados-Chinchilla, Andrea Molina. Composición química y actividad antimicrobiana del aceite esencial de Psidium guajava y Cymbopogon citratus. Agronomía Mesoamericana. 2019; ():147-163.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaría José Bermúdez-Vásquez; Fabio Granados-Chinchilla; Andrea Molina. 2019. "Composición química y actividad antimicrobiana del aceite esencial de Psidium guajava y Cymbopogon citratus." Agronomía Mesoamericana , no. : 147-163.
Animal by-product rendering establishments are still relevant industries worldwide. Animal by-product meal safety is paramount to protect feed, animals, and the rest of the food chain from unwanted contamination. As microbiological contamination may arise from inadequate processing of slaughterhouse waste and deficiencies in good manufacturing practices within the rendering facilities, we conducted an overall establishment's inspection, including the product in several parts of the process. An evaluation of the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) was carried out, which included the location and access (i.e., admission) to the facilities, integrated pest management programs, physical condition of the facilities (e.g., infrastructure), equipments, vehicles and transportation, as well as critical control points (i.e., particle size and temperature set at 50 mm, 133°C at atmospheric pressure for 20 min, respectively) recommended by the OIE and the European Commission. The most sensitive points according to the evaluation are physical structure of the facilities (avg 42.2%), access to the facilities (avg 48.6%), and cleaning procedures (avg 51.4%). Also, indicator microorganisms (Salmonella spp., Clostridium spp., total coliforms, E. coli, E. coli O157:H7) were used to evaluate the safety in different parts of the animal meal production process. There was a prevalence of Salmonella spp. of 12.9, 14.3, and 33.3% in Meat and Bone Meal (MBM), poultry by-products, and fish meal, respectively. However, there were no significant differences (P = 0.73) in the prevalence between the different animal meals, according to the data collected. It was also observed that renderings associated with the poultry industry (i.e., 92.0%) obtained the best ratings overall, which reflects a satisfactory development of this sector and the integration of its production system as a whole.
A. Leiva; F. Granados-Chinchilla; M. Redondo-Solano; M. Arrieta-González; E. Pineda-Salazar; A. Molina. Characterization of the animal by-product meal industry in Costa Rica: Manufacturing practices through the production chain and food safety. Poultry Science 2018, 97, 2159 -2169.
AMA StyleA. Leiva, F. Granados-Chinchilla, M. Redondo-Solano, M. Arrieta-González, E. Pineda-Salazar, A. Molina. Characterization of the animal by-product meal industry in Costa Rica: Manufacturing practices through the production chain and food safety. Poultry Science. 2018; 97 (6):2159-2169.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA. Leiva; F. Granados-Chinchilla; M. Redondo-Solano; M. Arrieta-González; E. Pineda-Salazar; A. Molina. 2018. "Characterization of the animal by-product meal industry in Costa Rica: Manufacturing practices through the production chain and food safety." Poultry Science 97, no. 6: 2159-2169.
Resumen En esta revisión se analizan 3 contaminantes distintos que afectan directamente la inocuidad alimentaria y que están siendo investigados constantemente en Costa Rica y forman parte de programas de vigilancia a nivel nacional e internacional. Los mismos debido a su importancia en salud humana y animal han sido investigados en alimentos para animales comercializados en Costa Rica por investigadores del Centro de Investigación en Nutrición Animal (CINA) en conjunto con otros grupos de investigación del país y los resultados más relevantes de estas investigaciones serán discutidos brevemente en esta revisión.
Andrea Molina-Alvarado; Fabio Granados-Chinchilla. Inocuidad microbiológica de los alimentos para animales en Costa Rica. Nutrición Animal Tropical 2015, 9, 13 .
AMA StyleAndrea Molina-Alvarado, Fabio Granados-Chinchilla. Inocuidad microbiológica de los alimentos para animales en Costa Rica. Nutrición Animal Tropical. 2015; 9 (3):13.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndrea Molina-Alvarado; Fabio Granados-Chinchilla. 2015. "Inocuidad microbiológica de los alimentos para animales en Costa Rica." Nutrición Animal Tropical 9, no. 3: 13.