Microbiological quality of commercially available poultry feeds from Chittor District

P. Jeevana Lakshmi, P.Suvarnalatha Devi, Ch. M. Kumari Chitturi

Abstract: This study was carried out to determine the microorganisms contaminating poultry feeds from Chittor District, Andhra Pradesh. A total of 10 feed samples of different feed types (Quails, Broilers, Layers, Sussex) were collected from sree venkateswara poultry farm. Samples were cultured in Nutrient Broth for isolation of other bacteria and then sub-cultured on Blood and MacConkey’s Agars. A total of 3 isolates were obtained, some of the feed samples showed no growth. The isolates were identified according to their microscopic, cultural and biochemical properties. Gram negative bacteria included Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Salmonella enteritidis. The highest percentage of occurrence was obtained with Escherichia coli (35.6%). The fungi isolated were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus,, Rhizopus sps, Mucor sps. The highest bacterial and fungal count was obtained in Broiler feed 5.4 x 10⁶ cfu/g and 8.1 x 10⁴ cfu/g respectively for bacteria and fungi, while the least count was recorded in Sussex with the range 2.19 x 10⁶ cfu/g (bacteria) and 5.7 x 10⁴ cfu/g (fungi).