Top questions and answers on mycotoxins

Question

What are the minimum threshold values of mycotoxin contamination that were considered in the cited study ?

Answer

This study of mycotoxin contamination included the following minimum risk threshold values: Aflatoxins (2 ppb), Zearalenone (50 ppb), Deoxynivalenol (150 ppb), T2 (50 ppb), Fumonisins (500 ppb), Ochratoxins (10 ppb).

 

Question

Slide no. 13.: What is the reason that some of the mycotoxin threat levels increased and some decreased in comparison from 2022 to 2023? Can you give some explanation on this?

Answer

The Slide no. 13 showed the average prevalence of mycotoxins (year-to-year basis) in the Asian countries. The year-to-year based changes can be explained by environmental factors (temperature, humidity, rainfall), cropping pattern (crop type & rotation), number of samples and sampling techniques. These are just a few factors that may explain changes in the mycotoxin prevalence from one year to the next.

 

Question

Slide no. 17: Is the impact of mycotoxins in different species the same or does it vary per animal species?

Answer

Mycotoxins may affect the same organ system across different animal species, but the resulting specific symptoms may vary. For instance, Zearalenone and its metabolites affect the reproductive tract in both monogastrics and ruminants by causing hormonal imbalances. However, the intoxication symptoms vary between the two species. In ruminants, mycotoxins are metabolised by rumen microflora, explaining some differences in the effects of mycotoxins between species.

 

Question

What is the reason for using a reference study that is almost 40 years old to show the effects of multi-mycotoxicosis in broilers? Are there any more updated trials since the genetics of the animals are different?

Answer

The reference study included was a pioneering research which for the first time clearly illustrated the detrimental effects of mycotoxin interaction on broiler health and performance. Of course, over time there have been numerous research publications (Gajecki et al., 2007; Bryden, 2012; Zou et al., 2012; Huang et al., 2018) explaining the phenomena of multi-mycotoxicosis in different animal species. Nevertheless, the original study can still be considered relevant.

 

Question

Can mycotoxins cause brain damage?

Answer

Yes, mycotoxins may cause brain damage. Some mycotoxin metabolites can cross the blood-brain barrier and exert a direct toxic effect on neural tissues. High aflatoxin toxicity in poultry and swine has been reported to result in neurological symptoms such as ataxia and convulsions. In addition, fumonisins have been well established as the cause of Leukoencephalomalacia (a central nervous system disorder) in equine species.

 

Question

What part of the yeast cell walls will adsorb mycotoxins, MOS or glucans? Is there a minimum of percentage that should be present in the products? To better compare?

Answer

Beta-glucans are effective in binding non-polar mycotoxins such as ZEN. Some studies even report mycotoxin binding capacities of MOS. An additional advantage is the immune supporting function of MOS. The effectiveness of a mycotoxin binder depends on many factors, so recommending a general minimum value of MOS or beta-glucans is difficult.

 

Question

Where was the adsorption study on slide no. 26 done, in vitro?

Answer

All mycotoxin binders (competitor products and Anta®Ferm) were analysed in vitro in the same lab using HPLC-MS.

 

Question

Which factors influence the varying degree of efficacies between competing mycotoxin binders?

Answer

There are a lot of factors that influence the efficacy of different mycotoxin binders. The quality of bentonite and other raw materials, their concentration in the final product, the dosage of the mycotoxin binder and the interaction between the different ingredients in the mycotoxin binder, to name just a few.

 

Question

What is the level of contamination in the trial in Russia? What is the mix of mycotoxins? How about the positive control group?

Answer

In this trial, working solutions were prepared to obtain 0,2 µg/cm3 Aflatoxin B1, Ochratoxin A and 1 µg/cm3 ZEA, T2 and FUM B1 respectively. Afterwards, working solutions were mixed with mycotoxin binder or without mycotoxin binder (control) before being centrifuged and analysed using HPLC-MS.

 

Question

DON is commonly found in maise DDGS, but I can't seem to find a product (from the in-vitro lab result) that bind DON effectively. What is your opinion on type of binders that is effective against DON?

Answer

Unfortunately, DON was not part in the in-vitro comparison between the binders that we presented. This does not mean that the presented binders have no effectivity against DON.

 

Question

What’s the recommended dosage of Anta®Ferm for feed in more humid regions?

Answer

Humidity increases the risk of mycotoxins in the feed. Therefore, we recommend using at least 1 kg Anta®Ferm MT80/ton of feed in more humid regions.

 

Question

How can the acids be used for those who buy animal feed materials in bags and have no storage facilities such as silos?

Answer

In principle, bagged feed should either already contain a preservative or be dry enough so that there should be no risk at all. However, if there have been cases where the customer has had mouldy feed in the bag, the best option would probably be to repackage it. In addition, care should always be taken not to store too much so that the bags are used up more quickly.

 

Question

How much inclusion toxin binder for fish feed?

Answer

Depending on the mycotoxin load and threat, the dosage could be in the range of 0.5 – 3.0 kg per ton of feed.

 

Question

Do you have any data on total tract digestibility of dairy cows on your products and leak of nitrogen and starch to the environment?

Answer

We have numerous data that proove the effectiveness of Anta®Ferm MT80 at varying pH levels in vitro.  A relevant leak of nitrogen and starch to the environment in connection with the use of our products is not to be expected.

 

Question

Can we use MoldCid Pro directly for corn and soya storage as we store corn and soya for 6 months?

Answer

MoldCid Pro can be used directly for storage in the silo. Important is the dosage and the moisture of the feed. Maize and soybean are difficult to preserve because of the hard kernels, so the moisture should not be above 14 %. Hygiene of the silos also plays a role.

 

Question

Is it possible to administer mycotoxin binders to all types of animals: broiler chickens, laying hens, sheep, beef cattle, and dairy cows? Are there any precautions to take?

 

Answer

At the recommended dosage of 0.5 – 3.0 kg/ton of feed, Anta®Ferm MT 80 is safe for application in all the above mentioned animal species.

 

Question

Toxin binders bind micronutrients: what is the exact reason for this?

Answer

Mycotoxin binders with non-specific adsorption properties (like activated charcoal) have a large surface area with a pore size that can trap both mycotoxins and micronutrients.