Sodium bentonite and monensin under chronic aflatoxicosis in broiler chickens

Abstract

Clay feed additives have been increasingly incorporated into animal diets to prevent aflatoxicosis. Due to the nonselective nature of the binding interaction, many important components of the diets could also be made unavailable because of these feed additives. The anticoccidial monensin (MON) could also be sequestered by these clays. The use of sodium bentonite (Na-B) from a mine in the province of Mendoza, Argentina, was investigated as a sequestering agent to prevent the effects of 100 µg/kg of dietary aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)). In vitro studies demonstrated that the above Na-B was a good candidate to prevent aflatoxicosis. They also showed that MON competes with AFB(1) for the adsorption sites on the clay surface and effectively displaces the toxin when it is in low concentration. Even though the levels of MON in diets, approximately 55 mg/kg, are high enough to not be significantly changed as a consequence of the adsorption, they can further affect the ability of the clays to bind low levels of AFB(1). An in vivo experiment carried out with poultry showed that 100 µg/kg of AFB(1) does not significantly change productive or biochemical parameters. However, liver histopathology not only confirmed the ability of this particular Na-B to prevent aflatoxicosis but also the decrease of this capacity in the presence of 55 mg/kg of MON. This is the first report stressing this fact and further research should be performed to check if this behavior is a characteristic of the assayed Na-B or of this type of clay. On the other hand, the presence of MON should also be taken into account when assaying the potential AFB(1) binding ability of a given bentonite.

Effect of monogastric and ruminant gastrointestinal conditions onin vitroaflatoxin B1adsorption ability by a montmorillonite

“…However, large-scale, practical and cost-effective methods for a complete detoxification of mycotoxin-containing feedstuffs are currently not available. One of the resources used in the prevention of aflatoxicosis is the incorporation of dietary non-nutritive substances that effectively prevent aflatoxicosis in birds (Phillips et al 1988;Huff et al 1992;Scheideler 1993;Magnoli, Monge, et al 2011;Magnoli, Texeira, et al 2011) and cows (Thieu & Pettersson 2008). The effectiveness of these additives seems to depend on their ability to bind aflatoxin in the gastrointestinal tract.…”

Nanocellulose conjugated with retinoic acid: its capability to adsorb aflatoxin B1

“…Based on previous studies, aflatoxin adsorbents are activated carbon, aluminosilicates (clay, bentonite, Aflatoxin concentration (ng/l) 6 ± 0.03 7 ± 0.02 7 ± 0.04 4 ± 0.02 5 ± 0.03 7 ± 0.02 2 ± 0.04 6 ± 0.02 20 ± 1 (Magnoli et al 2011;Marroquin-Cardona et al 2009;Wang et al 2008). Although these materials can adsorb aflatoxin, they have two problems.…”

“…Although these adsorbents bind to aflatoxin, they cannot be used in human foods. Non-specific binding is the first problem, i.e., other molecules can bind to them, and this problem may decrease the food value and efficacy of the adsorbent (Magnoli et al 2011;Marroquin-Cardona et al 2009;Wang et al 2008). The second problem is the toxicity of the adsorbents, i.e., the clay additives have toxic molecules such as metal oxide (TiO 2 , SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , etc.)…”

“…Nowadays, clay additives such as aluminosilicate, zeolite, sepiolite, Na-bentonite, Novasil plus, and Astra Ben 20A are used to remove aflatoxin in animal foodstuffs (Magnoli et al 2011;Marroquin-Cardona et al 2009;Wang et al 2008). Moreover, these additives can improve the physical and chemical properties of various foods (Magnoli et al 2011;Marroquin-Cardona et al 2009;Wang et al 2008).…”

“…Moreover, these additives can improve the physical and chemical properties of various foods (Magnoli et al 2011;Marroquin-Cardona et al 2009;Wang et al 2008). Although these adsorbents bind to aflatoxin, they cannot be used in human foods.…”