A review of the mycotoxin adsorbing agents, with an emphasis on their multi-binding capacity, for animal feed decontamination

Abstract

Contamination of animal feed with mycotoxins still occurs very often, despite great efforts in preventing it. Animal feeds are contaminated, at low levels, with several mycotoxins, particularly with those produced by Aspergillus and Fusarium genera (Aflatoxin B Ochratoxin A, Zearalenone, Deoxynivalenol and Fumonisina B). In animal feed, to date, only Aflatoxin B is limited through EU regulation. Consequently, mycotoxins cause serious disorders and diseases in farm animals. In 2009, the European Union (386/2009/EC) approved the use of mycotoxin-detoxifying agents, as feed additives, to prevent mycotoxicoses in farm animals. The present review gives an overview of the problem of multi-mycotoxin contamination of feed, and aims to classify mycotoxin adsorbing agents (minerals, organic, and synthetic) for feed decontamination, focusing on adsorbents with the ability to bind to multiple mycotoxins, which should have a more effective application in farms but they are still little studied in scientific literature.

Silage fermentation—updates focusing on the performance of micro‐organisms

“…Mycotoxins do not present problems for silage conservation; however, if consumed by an animal, they can cause severe damage, such as fatal intoxication, and subclinical symptoms, including suppression of the immune system, reductions in production and feed conversion, increased infections and hormonal imbalances (Bennett and Klich ; Vila‐Donat et al . ).…”

Comparative efficacy of agricultural by‐products in sequestering mycotoxins

“…Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of toxigenic fungi, which occur worldwide in food and feed . Mycotoxins have significant implications for human and animal health, economics, and international trade.…”

“…Therefore, particularly in the livestock industries, economic circumstances force producers to find ways to ensure the prevention of the detrimental effects of mycotoxins on animal health and production. Common methods include dilution of contaminated feeds with feedstuffs known to be free of mycotoxins (this method is not allowed in parts of the world anymore), physical separation to remove highly contaminated feeds, and ammoniation or heating to detoxify the feeds …”

“…A variety of substances have been investigated as potential mycotoxin adsorbing agents, which includes activated carbons, clay minerals (bentonite, zeolite, etc.) and organoclays, complex indigestible carbohydrates (cellulose, lignin, polysaccharides in the cell walls of yeast and bacteria), and synthetic polymers (cholestyramine, polyvinyl‐pyrrolidone and derivatives) . These substances are added to the diet in order to reduce the absorption of mycotoxins from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and their distribution to blood and target organs.…”

“…The literature contains some references to the efficacy of dietary fibres to counteract toxic effects of mycotoxins in animals . Diets rich in undegradable fibres have been shown to overcome the toxicity of zearalenone in rats and swine .…”