Sub Acute Toxicity Study of Mixed Fungal Culture Filtrates Isolated from Maize Stalks of Shivamogga District in Rats

Aim: To assess effects of the toxicity caused by consuming the fungal contaminated fodder by the cattle in the field conditions.

Study Design: Study was conducted in 3 groups of Wistar Albino rats.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology and Department of Veterinary Pathology, Veterinary College Shivamogga, Karnataka, between August 2024 to October 2024.

Methodology: A repeated-dose 28-days oral sub acute toxicity study was performed with three groups (n=6) of Wistar Albino rats. The group I (control) received oral gavage of potato dextrose broth @ dose of 2 mL/100g, where as groups II and III received mixed fungal culture filtrate of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger at the doses of 1 and 2 mL/100 g respectively.

Results: Treated groups (group II and III) showed increase in serological parameters (Aspartate Transaminase, Alanine transaminase, Creatinine, Blood urea nitrogen) and decrease in hematological parameters (PCV, Hb, TLC, TEC).

Conclusion: The findings of the present study inferred that the fungal culture filtrates of fungus isolated from contaminated maize stalk caused toxicity in rats, which was attributed for the presence of a toxic principle components in the fungal culture filtrates.