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An Overview of Mycotoxin Contamination of Animal Feeds

M.Z. Hassan
Animal Health Research Division, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka-1341, Bangladesh

M.M. Rahman
Conservation and Improvement of Native Sheep Through Community & Commercial Farming Project, BLRI, Savar, Dhaka-1341

M.Z. Ali
Animal Health Research Division, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka-1341, Bangladesh

M.A. Yousuf
Animal Health Research Division, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka-1341, Bangladesh

S. Akther
Goat and Sheep Production Research Division, BLRI, Savar, Dhaka-1341.

M.H. Rahman
Goat and Sheep Production Research Division, BLRI, Savar, Dhaka-1341

M.A. Islam
Research on FMD and PPR in Bangladesh, BLRI, Savar, Dhaka-1341.

A. Hossen
System Research Division, BLRI, Savar, Dhaka-1341.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Mycotoxins contamination of animal feeds remains a great concern for animal feed safety, public health and economic significance. It may occur in various foods and feeds stuff from agricultural commodities to finished foods and feeds of animals. Hot, humid weather and late harvesting of grains favored the mold and fungal growth in cereal crops. There are around 400 types of mycotoxins in which aflatoxin, deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin), fumonisin, zearalenone and ochratoxins are important for animal and human foods. However, the presence of mold or fungi in the grains does not mean that mycotoxins are present in feeds or foods. The acceptable level of aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin), fumonisin, zearalenone and ochratoxins are in livestock feeds are 20 ppb, 10 ppm, 5 ppm and 3-10 ppm and 3-20 (μg/kg) respectively. Mycotoxins can be found in contaminated cereal grains, straw and silage. The most detrimental effects of mycotoxins are hepatic, digestive, immunological, reproductive disorders, teratogenicity, nephrotoxicity, edema and carcinogenicity etc. of animal and human being. Adsorbents and activated charcoal in animal feeds bind the toxic substances. There are some regulations but not in all countries aimed to prevent and control mycotoxins in industrial processed foods and animal feeds but not in locally processed ones. A number of strategies in some countries for preventing mycotoxins have been mobilized but the awareness for implementation is very weak. Mass media can play an important role to build awareness to the mycotoxin.

Keywords: Feeds, Grains, Mycotoxin, Contamination, Effects, Prevention

Location: In Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Animal, Feed

Objectives:

To determine of Mycotoxin contamination of animal feeds.

Methodology:

Mycotoxins are usually found in grain during growth and storage, silage and straw preparation. Feeds become contaminated with mycotoxin during preservation and storage. Aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, trichothecenes and zearalenone are considered as the most alarming mycotoxins that affect livestock production. Mycotoxin production is influenced by pre-and postharvest temperature, agronomic practice, carbon dioxide and moisture and humidity levels. Generally, mycotoxin contamination is most likely to occur in warm, wet conditions. It is thought ruminants are less susceptible to mycotoxins than other species because the bacteria that make the rumen function can degrade certain mycotoxins into a less toxic form, providing some protection (Rahman et al., 2018). However, some mycotoxins can resist breakdown and prolonged exposure to mixtures of mycotoxins can impair the function of the rumen microbes. Mycotoxins are very stable compounds that can survive on the grain long time after the initial mould has disappeared, so the absence of mould does not mean the crop is clean. Fusarium mycotoxin occurrence may be greater when wet weather delay harvesting. Storage fungi can grow on cereals from about 14.5% moisture content (7.5-8% in oilseed) and these can causes losses of germinates capacity, furthermore may produce mycotoxins. Ochratoxin- A may be produced by the storage of mould Penicillium verrucosum if grain exceeds 18% moisture content. Moreover, the significant risk occurs during ambient air-drying which may takes weeks to dry. Straw may contain higher concentrations of Fusarium mycotoxins. Aspergillus, Penicillium and fusarium are considered to be the most important moulds and producers of mycotoxins in silage (Sarah and Vickers, 2016). According to Sarah and Vickers, 2016, risk factors for mycotoxin contaminations in animal feeds are crop debris, high humidity, early sowing and dry weather. More resistant varieties have a lower risk of Fusarium mycotoxin contamination. Aflatoxin B1 is reported to be the more carcinogenic than others. Ducklings are 5 to 15 times more sensitive to aflatoxins than laying hens. Stress, physical state, nutritional level and disease condition also determine the response of animal to the mycotoxin. The major mycotoxin-producing fungal genera are Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium. Many of these fungi produce mycotoxins in feedstuffs. Molds usually grow and produce mycotoxin during pre-harvest or during storage, transport, processing or feeding stages. Mold growth and mycotoxin production are related to plant stress caused by weather extremes, insect damage, inadequate storage practices and faulty feeding conditions (Coulumbe, 1993). Molds grow over a temperature range of 10-40°C (50-104°F), a pH range of 4 - 8 and moisture content >13-15%. Most molds are aerobic, and therefore high-moisture concentrations that exclude adequate oxygen can prevent mold growth. Molds usually grow in wet feeds such as silage or wet byproducts, when oxygen is available. Aspergillus species normally grow at lower water activities and at higher temperatures than the Fusarium species. Therefore, Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin in corn are favored by the heat and drought stress associated with warmer climates (Klich et al., 1994). Aflatoxin contamination is enhanced by insect damage before and after harvest. The individual Penicillium species have variable requirements for temperature and moisture but are more likely to grow under post- harvest conditions, in cool climates, in wet conditions and at a lower pH.

Source of Information: Bang. J. Livs. Res. Special Vol. 21-25, 2018: P. 1-9, ISSN 1022-3851

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The presence of mycotoxins in the food/feed chain is an unavoidable and serious problem throughout the world. Practicing good sanitary measures, build up awareness about the toxic effects of mycotoxin in humans and livestock is urgent. Wide gaps exist on the toxicological effects of mycotoxin-contaminated feeds in animals. Research has been a necessity in this field. Feed analysis is required to check mycotoxin contamination in imported animal feeds stuff. Emphasis should be done on developing new low-cost mycotoxin detection kit, which are portable, reliable, and easy to handle at field level.

Knowledge Management: Journal