[Influence of aflatoxin B1 on growth of rats under various nutritional conditions]

The effect of the addition of aflatoxin B1 was studied in 48 male, Sprague-Dawley rats weaned at 21 days of age. The animals of the experimental group received one of the following diets to which aflatoxin B1 was added (5 mg/kg ration), a protein-free diet, the regional basic diet of Northeast Brazil (RBD) containing 9.07% protein, and commercial casein diets (at 10 and 20%). The control groups were fed the same diets without aflatoxin B1. To detect possible body alterations, the body weight and food intake, as well as protein and aflatoxin B1 intakes were recorded. Significant alterations were detected in the experimental groups, especially in the protein-depleted animals, and in those fed the RBD and 10% commercial casein diets, when compared to their controls.