Authors : P.N. Okafor and C.N. Okorie
Abstract: The levels of total cyanogens, nitrate and nitrite which many cause deleterious effects in poultry animals were determined in poultry feeds of four major poultry feed companies in Nigeria using enzymatic and spectrophotometric methods. Nitrite was determined spectrophotometrically and nitrate after reduction to nitrite with cadmium. Enzymatic analysis of the feed samples indicated mean total cyanide level 1.98 ± 0.13 � 25.74 ± 2.03, 1.58± 0.15 � 18.22± 1.97, 5.94 ± 0.58 � 13.86 ± 1.89, 3.56 ± 0. 22 �78.01 ± 3.95 mgCN� equivalent kg�1 DM for broiler finisher, growers mash, layers mash and broiler starter feeds respectively. The mean values of nitrite determined ranged from 22.02 ± 3.5.7 � 48.65 ± 5.67, ND � 60.22 ± 4.07, 9.34 ± 2.84 � 53. 94 ± 2.13 NO2 � N kg�1 Dm following the order above. The mean concentration of nitrate ranged 47.48 ± 5.82 � 194.60 ± 13.14, 83.40 ± 11.08 � 127.44± 12.33, 94 76.45 ± 10.34 � 199.21 ± 9.76 and 70.71 ± 8.17 � 154.51 ± 10.11 mg NO3-N kg�1 � DM, for broiler finishers, growers mash, layers mash and broiler starter respectively. The results are discussed from nutritional and toxicological points of view.
Okafor, P.N. and C.N. Okorie , 2006. Determination Ofcyanide, Nitrate and Nitrite, Contents of Poultry Feeds of Four Top Animal Feed Companies in Nigeria. Journal of Food Technology, 4: 225-228.