MYCOTOXINS ▶▶▶
causing inflammation, thus reducing feed consumption and animal performance, damage to the vital organs, sepsis and, in some cases, death. The synergy between mycotoxins and endotoxins can result in an overstimulation of the immune system. The interaction between endotoxins and estrogenic agents such as zearale- none, for example, generates chronic inflammation and auto- immune disorders because immune cells have estrogen re- ceptors which are stimulated by the mycotoxin. While conversely, the combination of DON at low concentrations and endotoxins in the intestine has been shown to engender a decrease in transepithelial resistance and alter the balance of the microbiota.
Proactive toxin risk management To prevent the detrimental consequences of mycotoxins on animal health and performance, proactive solutions are need- ed that support the intestinal epithelium’s digestive and im- mune functionality and help maintain a balanced microbi- ome in the GIT. Moreover, it is crucial for any anti-mycotoxin product to feature both anti-mycotoxin and anti-bacterial toxin properties and that it supports the organs most target- ed by mycotoxins, e.g., the liver. EW Nutrition’s Mastersorb Gold premix is based on a synergistic combination of natural clay minerals, yeast cell walls and phytomolecules. Its efficacy has been extensively tested, including as a means of dealing with E. coli endotoxins. A field trial conducted in Germany on male Ross 308 broilers showed that for broilers receiving a diet contaminated with DON and zearalenone, adding 1kg of Mastersorb Gold per tonne of feed to their diet led to significant performance en- hancements. Not only did they regain the mycotoxin-induced weight loss (6% increase relative to the group receiving only the challenge), but they also gained weight relative to the control group. Feed conversion also improved by 3% relative to the group challenged with mycotoxins.
Effect against mycotoxins and bacterial toxins Animal feed is often contaminated with two or more myco- toxins, making it important for an anti-mycotoxin agent to be effective against a wide range of different mycotoxins. To
prevent mycotoxins damaging the GIT, an effective product should ideally adsorb most mycotoxins in the first part of the animal’s intestine (under acidic conditions). In-vitro experi- ments at an independent research facility in Brazil showed that an application of 0.2% Mastersorb Gold binds all tested mycotoxins at rates of 95-97% at a pH level of 3, using realis- tic challenges of 1000ppb (Aflatoxin B1 and ZEA) and 2500ppb (Fumonisin B1 and DON). The binding results achieved for Fumonisin and DON, which are often considered outright as ‘non-binding’ under challenging close to neutral conditions (pH 6), are particularly encouraging. In terms of its efficacy against endotoxins, an in vitro study conducted at Utrecht University, among other studies, has shown Mastersorb Gold to be an effective tool against the LPS released by E. coli. For the test, four premium mycotoxin binders were suspended in a phosphate buffer solution in concentrations of 0.25% and 1%. E. coli LPS were suspended to a final concentration in each sample of 50ng/ml. Against this particularly high challenge, Mastersorb Gold achieved a binding rate of 75% at an inclusion rate of 1%: clearly outper- forming competing products which, at best, showed a binding rate of 10%.
Balanced microflora A healthy gastrointestinal tract is crucial to animals’ overall health: it ensures that nutrients are optimally absorbed, it provides effective protection against pathogens through its immune function and it is key to maintaining a well-balanced microflora. Even at levels considered safe by the European Union, mycotoxins can compromise different intestinal func- tions, such as absorption, permeability, immunity and micro- biota balance, resulting in lower productivity and susceptibil- ity to disease. To safeguard animal performance, it is important to continu- ally strive for low levels of contamination in feed raw materi- als. And to stop the unavoidable mycotoxin loads from damaging the intestinal epithelium through the use of an effective anti-mycotoxin agent, which also supports animals against endotoxins and boosts liver function. Research shows that Mastersorb Gold is a powerful tool for proactive producers seeking better animal health, welfare and productivity.
Table 1 – Rate and absorption sites of different mycotoxin. Mycotoxin
Aflatoxin DON
Fumonisin Ochratoxin Zearalenone
Primary absorption sites Duodenum/jejunum Duodenum/jejunum Duodenum/jejunum Jejunum
Small and large intestine
Absorption rate in poultry Observations 90%
Up to 20%
Less than 1% 40% 10%
Adapted from: Biehl et al., 1993; Bouhet & Oswald, 2007; Devreese et al., 2015; Ringot et al., 2006 34 ▶ POULTRY WORLD | No. 6, 2020 Subject to enterohepatic circulation
Subject to enterohepatic circulation and to biotransformation in the large intestine Subject to enterohepatic circulation
Subject to enterohepatic circulation and to biotransformation in the large intestine Subject to enterohepatic circulation
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