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Aflatoxin contamination of foods and livestock feeds is an ongoing problem. In this research, NovaSil PLUS (NSP), a calcium montmorillonite clay that is commonly used as an anticaking agent in feeds, was evaluated for its ability to bind aflatoxin B1 (AfB1) in vitro and to prevent the onset of aflatoxicosis and vitamin A depletion in broiler chicks in vivo. Isothermal analyses were conducted with NSP and AfB1 to quantitate and characterize critical sorption parameters at equilibrium, i.e., ligand saturation capacities, affinity constants, and thermodynamics of the sorption process. In vitro results indicated that AfB1 was tightly sorbed onto the surface of NSP, which provided a high capacity and high affinity for the ligand. Thermodynamics favored sorption of AfB1 to NSP. The process was exothermic and spontaneous with a mean heat of sorption equal to approximately -50 kJ/mol, suggesting chemisorption (or tight binding). In addition to the in vitro studies, the effectiveness of NSP as an aflatoxin enterosorbent to attenuate the onset of aflatoxicosis in broiler chicks was determined at 3 different inclusion levels in the diet (0.5, 0.25, and 0.125%). NSP alone was not toxic to chicks at a level as high as 0.5% in the total diets (based on body and organ weights, feed intake, and hepatic vitamin A levels). NSP in the diet significantly protected chicks from the effects of highlevel exposure to aflatoxins (i.e., 5 mg/kg) and preserved hepatic vitamin A levels, even at lower dietary intake of clay.

No abstract

The aim of the present experiment was to evaluate the efficacy of a hydrate sodium calcium aluminosilicate and yeast cell wall (Fixar® Viva Dry) to prevent aflatoxin toxicity in meat-type ducks. In total, 336 1-day-old Cherry Valley ducks were randomly assigned to seven dietary groups, including of three diets without adsorbent. These included <30 (control), 60 and 120 μg/kg of aflatoxin in the diet and 60 or 120 μg/kg of aflatoxin supplemented with Fixar® Viva Dry at either 0.05% or 0.10% in the diet. Each treatment group was duplicated, with 24 birds per pen (replicate) throughout the 28-day trial period. The results showed that, bodyweight gain was reduced by 11% and mortality was increased by 10% in ducks fed diet containing aflatoxin at 120 μg/kg, compared with the control diet. However, dietary Fixar® Viva Dry supplementation effectively alleviated the overall toxicity induced by aflatoxin. Significant negative treatment-related changes were observed in feather growth, eye necrosis, web-toe haemorrhage, leg deformity, tibia bone porosity, liver paleness and fat content, organ weight and serum biochemical characteristics, as well as decreased leaked enzymes in blood serum, compared with the control. Addition of Fixar® Viva Dry in the diet significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the adverse effects of aflatoxin on all parameters measured, near to those in the control group. This finding indicated that Fixar® Viva Dry, when added at the level of 0.05% in 60 μg/kg or of 0.10% in 120 μg/kg aflatoxin diets, could modulate the toxicity of aflatoxin. In conclusion, these results showed that Fixar® Viva Dry 0.05% was effective in preventing the toxic effects of aflatoxin that may be present in poultry diets.

The objective of this