Abstract:
DMX-7 is a mold inhibitor used in the animal feed industry. The objectives of this study
were to determine the effect of DMX-7 on layer feed, the effective dosage which could be
used under Sri Lankan condition, and to analyse the proximate composition of the
prepared layer feed. Four different inclusion levels of DMX-7 were used as treatments
such as 1 kgt-1
, 1.5 kgt-1
, 1.75 kgt-1
, and zero levels as the control of the experiment. The
treatments were stored under room temperature. Proximate composition, mold colony
count, and aflatoxin detection during 60 days of storage duration were measured in
triplicate at biweekly intervals. Statistical data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and
Tukey's multiple range test at p<0.05. Proximate analysis was done to determine the
moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and total ash. Feed samples were
inoculated on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and mold colonies were counted after 7 days
incubation period at 25⁰ C. Isolated colonies were inoculated on Coconut Agar Media
(CAM) and were incubated at 25⁰ C for 7 days. Aflatoxin analysis was performed in the
presence of fluorescence ring on CMA under UV light. During the storage period except
for moisture, the proximate composition of all the treatment was not shown a significant
difference. The mold colony count was increased in all treatment with storage duration.
The highest mold count was recorded in the control. DMX-7 added treatments were not
shown a significant difference in the mold count with each other. The presence of the
fluorescence ring firstly appeared at 45th day of storage on the control and others were
not present the fluorescence ring at the rest of storage duration. In conclusion, DMX-7
can be used to control the growth of mold in layer feed. Based on microbial, nutritional,
and cost basis the effective dosage of DMX-7 is 1 kgt-1 of feed. The aflatoxin
contamination has reduced by the effect of DMX-7 and the nutritional composition of
prepared layer feed was not altered by DMX-7.
Keywords: DMX-7 Mold inhibitor, Layer feed, Proximate analysis
