Ammoniation of Whole Cottonseed at Atmospheric Pressure and Ambient Temperature to Reduce Aflatoxin M1 in Milk

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Abstract
Aflatoxin-contaminated cottonseed was treated with 1 1/2% ammonia and 10% water and packed into a 3 m in diameter by 30-m long polyethylene bag and held for 21 d. The ammoniated cottonseed was fed to lactating dairy cattle in two different trials. (a) Ammoniated cottonseed was added to a standard dairy ration for 90 cows at a level of 3.5 kg per cow per day for 19 d. Non-ammoniated cottonseed was then fed at the same level for 7 d. Daily analysis of the milk from the bulk tank was performed. No differences in aflatoxin M1 from the background level of 0.1 μg/L was noted until the 22nd day of feeding. The maximum aflatoxin M1 level was reached at 0.55 μg/L on days 25–27. Levels returned to 0.1 μg/L 4 d after resumption of the feeding of the standard dairy ration. (b) Two and two tenths kg per day of ammoniated or non-ammoniated seed were added to rations of each of 6 dairy cows for 7 d. Milk samples were taken two milkings before feeding of the cottonseed, at each milking during the feeding and for 7 d after cottonseed feeding ceased. Analysis of milk for aflatoxin M1 showed a maximum level of 1.8 μg/L from the group receiving the untreated cottonseed and a maximum of 0.18 from the group receiving the ammoniated meal. Milk from both groups was negative for aflatoxin M1 6 d after cottonseed feeding ceased. Ammoniation of whole cottonseed included in the ration of dairy cattle was effective in reducing the amount of aflatoxin M1 in their milk by approximately 90% but not in completely eliminating it at treatment conditions used.