Advances in understanding key contamination risks in animal feed: mycotoxins

Abstract

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain filamentous fungi, especially Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium. Over 400 mycotoxins have been identified, most notably aflatoxins, trichothecenes, zearalenone, fumonisins and ochratoxins. These low molecular weight compounds are naturally occurring and (seem to be) unavoidable. In fact, a high percentage of feed samples have been reported to be contaminated with more than one mycotoxin. Mycotoxins accumulate in corn, cereals, soybeans, sorghum, peanuts, and other food and feed crops, directly in the field or during the transportation, processing or storage stages. Consumption of mycotoxin-contaminated food or feed can lead acute or chronic toxicity in humans and animals, as well as crop losses. This chapter reviews the toxicity of the six mycotoxins, the foods they commonly contaminate, and the current methods used to detect and control of these mycotoxins.

An Eight-Year Survey on Aflatoxin B1 Indicates High Feed Safety in Animal Feed and Forages in Northern Italy

“…Feed origin, processing, handling, and storage can affect both quality and safety at different levels [1]. Mycotoxins are one of the most important safety risks in the feed industry and supply chain security [2,3].…”

“…Pigs are considered relatively susceptible to AFB1, with symptoms such as reduced average daily weight gain and reduction in overall growth rate [19][20][21]. Ruminants are generally more resistant to mycotoxin toxic effects than monogastric animals [2]. In fact, rumen microbiota can degrade or inactivate many toxic molecules, such as zearalenone (ZEA) (90%) and the trichothecene T-2 toxin (completely) but had no effects on AFB1.…”

“…AFB1 contaminates several feed/food crops, such as maize, barley, rice, and crude vegetable oils [10,11], and its presence cannot be predicted and completely avoided, especially in tropical countries where the humidity rate is always particularly high [2]. Although crops from tropical and/or sub-tropical areas are affected more frequently and severely by AF contamination, temperate areas, such as Europe, could be of increasing importance due to climate change, enhancing risks for human and animal health.…”

Compliance between Food and Feed Safety: Eight-Year Survey (2013–2021) of Aflatoxin M1 in Raw Milk and Aflatoxin B1 in Feed in Northern Italy

“…[ 3 ]. Mycotoxins are produced following sudden changes in humidity, temperature (e.g., between day and night), or mechanical breakage of the mould itself [ 4 ]. Mycotoxins have a variety of possible adverse effects on both human and animal health [ 5 , 6 ].…”

“…Despite efforts to control fungal contamination in feed commodities, AFs remain the most dangerous recurring mycotoxins [ 4 ]. Several feed ingredients can be contaminated with AFs, especially in countries characterised by tropical and subtropical climates.…”