{"id":50948,"date":"2023-09-30T10:26:24","date_gmt":"2023-09-30T10:26:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/?p=50948"},"modified":"2023-10-07T11:46:39","modified_gmt":"2023-10-07T11:46:39","slug":"determination-of-metals-fungi-and-mycotoxins-in-cat-meal-samples-used-in-saudi-arabia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biomedpharmajournal.org\/staging\/vol16no3\/determination-of-metals-fungi-and-mycotoxins-in-cat-meal-samples-used-in-saudi-arabia\/","title":{"rendered":"Determination of Metals, Fungi and Mycotoxins in Cat Meal Samples used in Saudi Arabia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Domestic cats (Felis\nsilvestris catus<\/em>) are very curious about the feeding behavior and have\nparticular nutritional demand 1\u20133<\/sup>\nwhich is related to their carnivore metabolism, like,\nneeds high crude protein content which are enriched with particular type of\nessential amino acids (like, arginine and taurine), and vitamins particularly\nVitamin A, D, and B complex as well as arachidonic acids4\u20136<\/sup>. As seen cats mostly eat in little quantity, throughout the\nday showing their feeding habits as same as their ancestor cats (Felis\nsilvestris lybica<\/em>), which are dependent upon small-sized preys5,\n7<\/sup>. Cats bear a capacity to select their meal on\nthe basis of taste, smell, temperature, and texture 6, 8, 9<\/sup> related to self-regulation consumption of particular type\nof food to make it sure that accurate and an adequate consumption of good amount\nof nutrients, thus balancing their diet10,11<\/sup>. In particular cats usually show less interest for food\nitems which are sugar rich and even in some studies mentioned that that cats\ndid not recognize the taste which is sweet5<\/sup>, so cats did not go for sweet foods and excess their energy\nlimit intake not more than 250 kJ\/day, and in case of the consumption goes higher\nthan this amount, they vomit typically and thus display diarrhea their after12<\/sup>. Cats bear the capacity to show different behaviour for\nnew ingredient presence in the diet related to the origin, experience, and\nmetabolic status towards food, in order to avoid intoxication or any sort of harm13<\/sup>, to neophilia which may result towards more consumption of\nnew and little readily available diets 14,15<\/sup>. The food preparing industry carry out many tests for food\npreparations in cats with the intuition to understand the mutability of their choices,\nwhich is ordered in big range of odors, constituents and the presentation\nmaking. In addition, the industries try to understand the food product ranges, from\ncatering to nutritional values required for the cats as per their intrinsic\nvariations, like, age, breed, reproductive status, weight, also as per the specific\nhealth conditions5<\/sup>. Furthermore, many\nscientific studies showed that intrinsic variables could change the amount of\npreference for variable commercial cat diets5<\/sup>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\ndevelopment of feline obesity is not made more susceptible by high carbohydrate\nintake when dry food is consumed, although obesity is a significant risk factor\nfor type II diabetes in cats16, 17<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cats have the tendency to check and maintain their\neveryday intake of calories, even if given the commercial diets, they neglect\nto consume18, 19<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Saudi Arabia, cats are largely being cultivated in large scale. Almost every house does have at least one cat, so the food analysis related to cats becomes the need of an hour. In that context the large used food being given to cats are Canned Food, Pouched Food, Raw Food, Lightly Cooked Food, Dry Food. So accordingly, the study in reference was conducted to measure the presence of metals, microorganisms and the toxins in cat food samples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Materials\nand Methods<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sample collection<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some total of 05 samples of cat meal, viz, Canned Food, Pouched Food, Raw Food, Lightly Cooked Food Dry Food have been collected from fodder market of Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Fifty gram of each sample was collected for the analysis. The samples were collected in airtight bottles and were kept at 40<\/sup>C for further analysis. The samples were kept in airtight bottles and were stored in research laboratory at 4\u00b0C until analyzed. As per the analysis, the samples are made, like for metal analysis the samples were taken directly in solid form, and for fungal analysis the samples were dissolved in distilled water in the ratio 1:2 (w\/v). The dilution is done as per the analysis. The recommended value of the energy protein and other dietary contents are shown in Table 1. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Table 1: 20Daily Recommended Allowance of Energy\/Proteins\/Lipids\/Minerals for Cats (a)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Nutrients<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Kittens<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Adult Cat<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Nursing Cats<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Calories\/ Day (Kcals per day*)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

200<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

310<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

440<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Crude Protein<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

10 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12.5 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

41 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Total Fat<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5.5 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Vitamin A<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

30 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

50 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

63 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Vitamin D<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.4 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.5 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.7 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Vitamin E<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2.5mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Vitamin K<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

50 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

70 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

80 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Vitamin B1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.21mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.33mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.40mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Riboflavin<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.17mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.20mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.30mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Vitamin B6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.07mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.16mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.20mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Niacin<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.8 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2.5 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Pantothenic acid<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.2mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.4mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.5mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Vitamin B12<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.4 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.7 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Folic acid<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

30 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

45 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

50\u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Calcium<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.15g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.18g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

22g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Phosphorus<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.12g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.17g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.21g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Magnesium<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

21mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

25mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

30mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Sodium<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

35mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

42mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

45mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Potassium<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.25g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.33g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.35g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Chlorine<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

50mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

60mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

65mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Iron<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Copper<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.2mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.4mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.5mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Zinc<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.6mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Manganese<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.2mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.3mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.5mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Selenium<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

15 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

20 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

22 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Iodine<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

70 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

90 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

95 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n

Heavy metal analysis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The metal\nanalysis (essential and heavy) has been carried by acid digestion and was\ndetected using atomic absorption spectroscopy (PERKIN\nELMER), as per AOAC (1995) guidelines. 1 g or 1ml of each sample was\ndigested by 3 ml mixture of nitric\nacid and perchloric acid (1:1, v\/v) using\nhot plate till a clear solution formation. The experimentation was carried out in\ntriplicates for every sample and mean value was determined. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Identification and isolation of Fungi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

20\nml of the each sample was added to 0.18L sterile deionized water having 0.02%\nTween 80, shacked on rotary shaker with a speed of 0.85 RCP for half of an hour\nfor the determination of colony-forming units (CFU\/g). The serial dilutions (10-1<\/sup>\nto 10-5<\/sup>) with de-ionized water using 0.02% Tween 80 were made and 1 ml aliquot of each\nsample inoculation was done for each of three plates of Czapek-Dox agar having 1% streptomycin as standard, was added\nfor the inhibition of microbial growth. The Petri\nplates were inoculated with a spread-plate technique, and incubation was\ndone at 25\u00b0C. The Total fungal counts (CFU\/g) of every sample was determined\nafter incubation of 10 days as per Pitt and Hocking21<\/sup> and Samson et.al.22<\/sup>.\nThe fungi after isolation was identified as per their characteristics both macro- and microscopic as per Raper and Fennell23<\/sup>, Moubasher24<\/sup> and Samson et.al.25<\/sup>. The total counts (TC) of each fungi was calculated in\nrelation to the gram of sample used (TC\/g).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mycotoxins Quantification by Fluorometry Method<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The meal samples have been analyzed for the determination of total aflatoxins; ochratoxin and zearalenone with the help of immune affinity method as per the (AOAC), Association of Official Analytic Chemists methodology 26<\/sup>,27<\/sup>. Nearly 100 ml of every sample was extracted and mixed with 100 ml of MeOH\/H2<\/sub>O mixture (80:20 v\/v) solution. The whole mixture was filtered after shaking, using Whatman no. 1filter paper, and the obtained filtrate was diluted (1:4) by water, from which 2 ml of the sample mixture was analysed for total aflatoxins determination by Aflatest P immuno affinity column (VICAM, Watertown, MA, USA). Ochratoxin A and zearalenone have been analysed with the help of Ochraprep and Zearala Test Immuno affinity Column Procedures (VICAM, Water- town, MA, USA). Total aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and zearalenone quantities were calculated with the help of recalibrated VICAM Series 4 fluorometer set at 360 nm (excitation) and 450 nm (emission) 28<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Results and Discussion <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cats feed mostly on the food items which are enriched with adequate amount of nutrients and the nutrients with mixed composition including vitamins, essential elements etc. the samples analysed also show the good concentration of nutrients. The meal for cats must sustain long life and should be healthy one as per the requirements of cats. Cats can digest starch which is cooked in an efficient way and can consume and release glucose at molecular level. The regular dry food, is effective in terms of calories, as is full of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in 30:40:30 ratio approximately. The canned foods contain 80% water and possess an energy ratio of 40:50:10. However the wet food of cats is highly enriched with animal proteins and less carbohydrate content. Also some study showed that dry foods, do not make obesity and diabetes in cates in comparison to moist foods. The obtained results related to the study of the available cat meal have been analysed for the metal ions and other nutrient ions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Metal ions in Cat Meals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\ncat meal samples (05), used mainly as feeding\nmaterials, in Saudi Arabia were analysed for the nutrient constituents\nand for the essential metal ions by various chemical and spectroscopic methods\nand the obtained results are shown in tables. The mean values of essential nutrients\nfound in the samples analysed are shown in Table 2. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The amount\nof essential mineral elements (Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Sodium,\nPotassium, Chlorine, Iron, Copper, Zinc, Manganese, Selenium, Iodine) were analysed\nby Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and the obtained values are shown in\nTable 3, and the comparison was made with Current European Official Regulations\n(1mg\/kg). All the values obtained have been found within the range that is\nnecessary for the daily metabolic functions of the cats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The meal samples were also analysed\nfor the estimation of heavy metals by AAS and the comparison was done with\nCurrent European Official Regulations (1mg\/kg), and the obtained values are\nshown in Table 4. As per the obtained results, the amount of lead (Pb2+<\/sup>)\nvaries from 0.1 to 0.31 mg\/kg with a mean value of 0.11 mg\/kg. The data analysis of showed that the meal samples have the\nconcentration for below than the dangerous level 1 mg\/kg, because as per the Current European\nOfficial Regulations the amount of lead should be below is 1 mg\/kg. The obtained\ndata for Cd2+ <\/sup>showed the range in between 0.15 to 0.33 mg\/kg and the\nlevels of cadmium is within the range as set by Current European Official Regulations. The nickel concentration was found in between 0.0 to 0.14 mg\/kg. However\nthe amount of Cr2+<\/sup>, Ar2+<\/sup> and Hg2+<\/sup> have been found in the range 0.0 to 0.02,\n0.0 to 0.04 and 0.0 to 0.04 mg\/kg respectively and the values are shown in Table\n4. All the obtained values for Chromium, Arsenic and Mercury are within the\nrange set by Current European Official\nRegulations (1 mg\/kg). The detected values for Chromium,\nArsenic and mercury have been found29<\/sup>. Although the concentration of\nheavy metals is so low but the contamination may occur during the process of\nprocessing of the grains of cat meal samples. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Table 2. The Chemical Composition of Various Cat food Meal Samples.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Tested material<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Canned Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Pouched Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Raw Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Lightly Cooked Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Dry Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Carbohydrates<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

210 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

209 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

205 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

202 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

230 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Soluble <\/strong>sugars<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

65.0g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

64.0g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

61.0g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

63.5g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

75.0g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Total <\/strong>fat<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

11.0 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

13.0 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

11.4 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12.0 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

15.0 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Saturated <\/strong>fat<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.00mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.5 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3.5 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.2mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6.00mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Unsaturated <\/strong>fat<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9.0mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9.5mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9.1mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

8.5 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12.0mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Crude Protein<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

34 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

35.5 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

34.9 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

33.7 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

37 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Total Fat<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9.4 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

8.9 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

10 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

11 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Vitamin A<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

55 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

59 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

55.9 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

56 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

58 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Vitamin D<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.1 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.07 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.09 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.11 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.3 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Vitamin E<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3.7 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.1 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.2 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Vitamin K<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

65 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

67 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

63.5 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

65.7 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

75.5 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Vitamin B1<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.20 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.21 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.23 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.25 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.29 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Riboflavin<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.15 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.15 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.15 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.15 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.15 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Vitamin B6<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.10 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.12 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.11 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.13 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.19 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Niacin<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2.5 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Pantothenic acid<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.3 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.4 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.5 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.4 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.7 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Vitamin B12<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.7 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.8 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.9 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.8 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.5 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Folic acid<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

30 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

29.7 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

30.1 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

30.7 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

45 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n

*Mean of 20 samples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Table 3: Concentration of Essential Elements in Various Cat food Meal Samples. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Tested material<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Canned Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Pouched Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Raw Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Lightly Cooked Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Dry Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Calcium<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

13 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

14 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

17 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

19 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Phosphorus<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.11g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.12g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.13g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.15g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.17g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Magnesium<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

20 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

23 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

24 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

25 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

29 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Sodium<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

35 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

35.9 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

36.4 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

37.5 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

40 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Potassium<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.25 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.27 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.29 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.31 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.37 g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Chlorine<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

55 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

57 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

56 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

55.5 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

65 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Iron<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.5 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5.6 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

7.5 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Copper<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.3 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.32 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.4 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.5 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.7 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Zinc<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.5 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5.5 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6.7 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Manganese<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.3 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.4 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.5 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.4 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.7 mg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Selenium<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

15 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

19 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

17 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

16 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

20 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Iodine<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

78 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

79.5 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

80 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

79 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

85 \u03bcg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n

Table 4: Concentration of heavy metals (\u00b5g\/g) in in Various Cat food Meal Samples.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Sample Number<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Pb<\/strong>2+<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Cd<\/strong>2+<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Ni<\/strong>2+<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Cr<\/strong>2+<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Ar<\/strong>2+<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Hg<\/strong>2+<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Canned Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.20<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.33<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.14<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.01<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

< 0.01<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.03<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Pouched Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.30<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.23<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.21<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

< 0.01<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.02<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.02<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Raw Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.10<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.31<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

< 0.1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.002<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.04<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.04<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Lightly Cooked Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.31<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.15<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.02<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.03<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.03<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Dry Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.11<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.30<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

< 0.1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

< 0.01<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.02<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.02<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n

Mycotoxins and fungal contamination of the collected cat meal samples<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The concentration and the\ncomposition of microbial fungi in cat\nmeal samples was analysed and calculated. The fungi amount counts in a range\nof 1.5 to 05 x104<\/sup> CFU\/g. The fungal species isolated from each meal\nsample was counted and then\nthe percentage amount of toxigenic isolates\nwas calculated. As per the\nresults the highly contaminated cat meal sample was found the lightly cooked\nsample, with 15 different fungi species, followed by pouched sample, with 13\nisolates of fungi, and least contaminated was dry food sample.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The samples analysed shows, 24 species\nthat belongs to 11 genera of fungi isolated by Czapek-Dox agar and\nthe identified species are shown in Table 5. The genera isolated are Eurotium amstelodami,\nAspergillus candidus, Scopulariopsis,\nAlterneria tentuis, Mycelia sterilia, Aspergillus candidus, Penicillium sp, Aspergillus ochraceus, Geotrichum candidum, Cladosporium sp, Rhizopus oryzae, Eurotium chevalieri,\nFusarium solani, Penicillium rubrum, Mucor circinelloides, Aspergillus versicolor,\nFusarium graminearum, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium citrinum, Absidia corymbifera, Botrytis cinerea, Aspergillus flavus, Humicola brevis, and Mucor racemosus.\n<\/em>Among these genera, Aspergillus,\nPenicillium and Fusarium have been known be most dangerous fungi. The study carried out by Milicevic et al.30<\/sup> <\/sup>mentioned that Aspergillus, Alternaria, Claviceps,\nFusarium, Penicillium <\/em>and\nStachybotrys <\/em>genera occurs in food and feeding\nstuffs, before and after harvesting process of food stuffs and have adverse\neffect on humans of mycotoxins production. In addition, the wide occurrence of\nfungi includes A. flavus, A. niger,\nA. tamarii <\/em>and Penicillium<\/em> chrysogenum <\/em>and\ncan even exist in broad bean Saber 31<\/sup>, in coffee seeds (Bokhari and Aly 32<\/sup>.\nThe isolation and the characterization of Alternaria species <\/em>shows that the isolation process was carried out in a\nvery carious and in a scientific manner with highly used and sophisticated\ntools. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Table 5: The Detected Fungal Species in the Collected Cat Meal Samples.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Isolated Species of  Fungi<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Canned Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Pouched Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Raw Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Lightly Cooked Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Dry Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Eurotium amstelodami<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Aspergillus candidus<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Scopulariopsis<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

X<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Alterneria tentuis<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

X<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Mycelia sterilia<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

X<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Aspergillus candidus<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

X<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Penicillium sp<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Aspergillus ochraceus<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

X<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Geotrichum candidum<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Cladosporium sp<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

X<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Rhizopus oryzae<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Eurotium chevalieri<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Fusarium solani<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Penicillium rubrum<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

X<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Mucor circinelloides<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Aspergillus versicolor<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Fusarium graminearum<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

X<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Aspergillus flavus<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Penicillium citrinum<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

X<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Absidia corymbifera<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

X<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Botrytis cinerea<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

X<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Aspergillus flavus<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

X<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Humicola brevis<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

X<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Mucor racemosus<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u221a<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

x<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

X<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n

The amount of aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and zearalenone (ppb) in 05\ncat meal samples were determined by ammino affinity methods as shown in Table 6.\nThe concentration of total aflatoxins was found in between 0 to 1.8 ppb having a mean value of 1.5 ppb. The\namount of ochratoxins A was found in\nbetween the range of 0.5 to 3.1 ppb with mean value of 2.1 ppb; and similarly the zearalenone concentration\nwas found in between the range of 1.0 to 3.0 ppb with a mean value 2.0 ppb. The allowed mycotoxin limit in the fodder\nsample is < 20 ppb, and the amount more than this amount is not permitted\nfor animal feeding meals33<\/sup>.\nFrom the results, it becomes clear that none of the feeding cat meal sample is\ncontaminated with mycotoxins in a range fetal for cats. The study by Bokhari (2010) showed that feeding samples that\nare contaminated by higher amount of aflatoxins and ochratoxins than 20 ppb (regulatory\nlimit) is not dangerous. Aflatoxins\ngenerally get formed by in food samples by contamination of with Aspergillus\nflavus <\/em>and Aspergillus parasiticus <\/em>and are\ncarcinogenic and hepatotoxic in\nnature, but depends on the time and the level of exposure by Bennett and Klich34, 35<\/sup>. However, ochratoxins A is nephrotoxic and carcinogenic in\nnature and the toxin are produced by\nfew strains of Penicillium <\/em>and Aspergillus <\/em>as shown by Fung and Clark36<\/sup>. Also the,\nzearalenone is formed by many field fungi\nlike, Fusarium <\/em>which is very common in wheat, maize and\nin their bypro ducts (EFSA37<\/sup>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Table 6. The Fungal isolate number, percentage toxigenic isolates and amount of aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and zearalenone (ppb) of Cat meal samples.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Sample number<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Total count of   fungi x104<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

No. of fungal isolate<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

No. of toxigenic isolate<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Quantity of the toxin detected (ppb)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

AFT<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

OTA<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

ZON<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Canned Food<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2.5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

09<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2.2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Pouched Food<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

13<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.8<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Raw Food<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3.4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

11<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.8<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.8<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2.0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Lightly Cooked Food<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5.1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

15<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2.0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3.1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3.0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Dry Food<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

07<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

<1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2.0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

AFT= Total aflatoxin; OTA= ochratoxin A; ZON = zearalenone. <\/p>\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The food and the feeding stuff of animals can be contaminated by various organic and inorganic compounds and by metals with the concentration level more or less than the required level. In addition, the foodstuff of cats may be effected by various microbial fungi species, which may release many mycotoxigenic substances in the form of aflatoxin, ochratoxin, zearalenone.  These inorganic heavy metals and the presence of fungi species may cause serious health problems both in humans as well as in other animal species. As per the study of reference, the concentration of essential elements was found in a good quantity making these feeding items good for cats. In addition, the heavy metals were also found in the limits of tolerance. Although some fungi species were detected in the cat meal samples, but the concentration of micro-toxins released by these fungal species were found less than their concentration where they show some adverse effect in cats. Among all the meal samples analysed, dry food was found good for cats. Although the chance of decontamination of cat food seems limited and uneconomic, but prevention could be the most effective strategy for decontamination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conflict of Interest<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no conflict of interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Funding Sources<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are funding sources<\/p>\n\n\n\n

References <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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