Abstract

In the past decades, the application of nanotechnology indicated significant improvements in animal health. In the present work, 60 samples of poultry feeds were examined, including 20 samples for each yellow corn, soya bean, and processed feed. The prevalence of total fungi was reported as 100, 95, and 100 in yellow corn, soya bean, and processed feed, respectively. Toxin-producing Aspergillus flavus represented 75 of isolates from yellow corn, 88 from soya bean meal, and 50 from processed feed. Aflatoxins were found in 88, 60, and 80 of yellow corn, soya bean, and processed feed with mean levels of 18.5 ± 3.216.0 ± 4.08.3 ± 1.7 ppm, respectively. The copper nanoparticles embedded with chitosan were green synthesized using an eco-friendly method, and their antifungal activity was evaluated against aflatoxigenic mold that recovered from poultry feeds. However, the molecular detection of virulent genes of Aspergillus flavus (aflR gene) after their exposure to high doses of copper-chitosan nanoparticles (CuCh-NPs) 150 μg/ml prevents aflR gene expression. The embedded chitosan with copper nanomaterial helps decrease their suspected toxicity to animals by reducing the used doses. Hence, the use of nanocomposites of nanomaterials with green benefits substances, such as chitosan, was the essential strategy of field application in veterinary. © 2022, Journal of World"s Poultry Research. All Rights Reserved.