MICROBIAL CONTAMINANTS ASSOCIATED WITH POULTRY FEEDS SOLD IN IBADAN METROPOLIS.

ABSTRACT Poultry feeds are nutritious balanced food products specifically formulated to meet the dietary needs of domesticated birds such as chickens, turkeys , ducks, and gesse. These feeds play a crucial role in promoting optimal growth, health, and overall productivity. The study aimed to investigate the microbial contaminants found in commercial poultry feeds (Ultima, Caps feeds, Chikun feed, Tops feed, Happy Chicken,Breed well).The feeds were purchased in Ibadan, Oyo State. A total of 60 samples from six different brands of the feeds were aseptically collected and analyzed, using standard procedure. The sample were cultured for bacteria and fungi isolation, identification and antibiotics susceptibility test. Also biochemical test (Catalase test, Indole test, Coagulase test, oxidase test, Methyl red test, Sugar fermentation test and Voges-Proskauer) were carried out. Caps feed had the highest bacterial count (6.06+2.29 CFU/g) while the lowest was found in Chikun feed (1.3810.19 CFU/g). Breedwell feed had the highest at 6.9743.67 CFU/g while Happy Chicken feed had the lowest fungal count (3.03‡1.39 CFU/g). The most prevalent species in the isolates were Bacillus species (43.24%), whereas Neiserria, Lactobacillus, Moraxella, and Pseudomonas species (2.7%) were the least prevalent. Fungal isolates included Fusarium, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium, and Aspergillus flavus. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested using varieties of antibiotics (Pefloxacin, Gentamin, Ampliclox, Zithromax, Amoxicilin, Rocephin, Ciprofloxaxin, Erythromycin, Sulfamethoxazole, Chloramphenicol, Spironolactone, Augumetin and Ofloxacin), and the results revealed a range of susceptibility levels, from 0 to 14. This study found a wide range of microorganisms especially bacteria and fungi that can create toxins in poultry feeds if consumed.