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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What mycotoxin levels can cause damage in chickens?

The following chart includes different mycotoxin concentrations that can damage birds, causing negative effects on the immune system under field conditions. It should be taken into account that the levels regulated or recommended in the chart are based on studies performed with only one synthetic mycotoxin. Synthetic mycotoxins are less toxic than natural mycotoxins. Therefore, this chart is only a guideline for the levels that can result in field problems.

One important limitation of these studies is that they do not consider the synergy of different mycotoxins, the interactions with other dietary noxious compounds, bacterial contamination, or the presence of bird stressors such as poor ventilation, heat stress and poor management.

Mycotoxin Regulation or
Recommendation
USA & EU		 Levels that can
result in
immunosuppression
Aflatoxin ‹ 20 ppb ‹ 5 ppb
T-2 Toxin ‹ 500 ppb ‹ 100 ppb
Ochratoxin ‹ 20 ppb ‹ 5 ppb


Where samples should be obtained from in order to detect mycotoxin contamination?

Establishing a sound feedstuff quality control program is crucial. Both, raw materials and finished feeds should be sampled. Obtaining representative samples for mycotoxin analysis is not an easy task, since mycotoxins are found in
some areas inside the bins. They are not evenly spread in the feed ingredients or in the ration. In order to reduce errors, samples should be obtained from moving ground grain. Finished feed samples should be obtained directly from the farm feeders, so that they represent what the animals are actually eating. Even if ideal sampling recommendations are observed, in many cases it is not possible to detect high mycotoxin levels. This is why many practitioners use laboratory analyses such as histopathology, to reconfirm the diagnosis of mycotoxicosis observed in the field.

Do mycotoxins affect only feed conversion and mortality rates?

Mycotoxins first affect the immune system.
This results in secondary problems that are typically misdiagnosed/confused with other pathologic conditions. The effect on the immune system results in stronger respiratory live vaccine reactions. Antibiotic use must be increased in order to control associated bacterial infections. In the case of enteric problems, increased
susceptibility to salmonellosis and colibacillosis occurs.

When a mycotoxin binder is used, should a mold inhibitor be also added?

It is important to remember that mold inhibitors cannot destroy mycotoxins. They
inhibit the growth of the mycotoxinproducing molds. This means that if mycotoxins are already present in the feed, the effect of the mold inhibitor will have only limited value. Ideally, both mold inhibitors and mycotoxin binders should be used. But if you have to choose, use only the mycotoxin binder, since the effect of mycotoxins on animals is much worse that that of molds.

Do mycotoxin binders have the ability to absorb essential nutrients for animal development?

This depends on the type of binder. Some of them can affect the absorption of certain nutrients in the GI tract, mainly those with a high CEC and that are also expansible.
They retain water together with certain water-soluble nutrients. This group includes several bentonites and zeolites. This is why it is important to review the results of in vivo trials, in order to determine if the product has the ability to absorb some nutrient types.

What is the advantage of using a low inclusion level mycotoxin binder in the feed?

Traditionally, nutritionists refuse to use high inclusion level mycotoxin binders since these products use valuable space within the feed formulation without contributing with any nutritional value. This is a lot more critical in broiler diets, where high energy/amino acid density should exist in order to fulfill the requirements of genetically rapid growing broiler strains. One additional advantage is that using low inclusion rate mycotoxin binders reduces their possibilities to absorb essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Also, the cost of the product inclusion into the feed is decreased when compared with other similarly-priced binders.

Numerous technical manuals recommend a lower commercial dose rate than the significantly effective dose shown in the scientific studies that appear in the same manual, why?

This is done to show that the addition of the binder has little incidence in the final cost of the feed. In the poultry industry, the cost of the mycotoxin binder inclusion is very important, since the production cost of feed is consistently questioned. Feed typically represents in excess of 2/3 of the production cost of one pound of meat. If a low dose rate is recommended, inclusion will be less expensive, making it more
attractive to be used in the feed. However, a reduced dose will not provide effective
protection in the presence of mycotoxins.

Are the mycotoxin binders containing bacteria, yeasts, or enzymes of any value to degrade mycotoxins?

So far, no mycotoxin binders exist that do not contain clays, since clays are the only products per se that have shown efficacious, consistent results.

Detoxification with enzymes, bacteria or yeasts should result in a fairly rapid mycotoxin biotransformation, prior absorption occurs in the small intestine.

One additional concern about their mode of action is that biotransformation sometimes results in secondary metabolites that are more toxic than the original mycotoxin.

Enzymes. The main disadvantage of using enzymes is that their activity greatly depends on the conditions existing in the GI tract, especially acidity, and the presence of other dietary enzymes/ingredients. Most mycotoxins are denatured when subjected to pelleting/extrusion processes. Therefore, a simple analytical method should exist to determine enzyme levels prior to and after feed manufacturing.

Bacteria. Other biotransformation mechanism, that occurs naturally, is through the action of anaerobic bacteria present in the distal GI tract. Successful colonization of the GI tract with foreign bacteria greatly depends on the microflora already established and on the conditions existing in the GI tract. When bacteria are used in the feed, it is important to avoid the use of antibiotics either as growth promoters or for therapeutic purposes. Antibiotics have shown potential to destroy beneficial microflora. In addition, high pelleting/extrusion temperatures are very likely to destroy the bacteria present in the feed.


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