lecture includes what are mycotoxins, their causes, how to control them, and different treatment methods

1. Mycotoxins
MOHAMED YASSIN
TECHNO
COMMERCIAL
MANAGER mailyassin1985@gmail.com

2. Mycotoxins in feed:
Where do Mycotoxins
come from?
FIELD
HARVEST PROCESSING
STORAGE

3. • Production of Mycotoxins are usually
associated with Extremes in weather
conditions.
Plant stress or hydration of feed
stuffs.
Poor storage practices.
• Storage conditions that favor
production of mycotoxins
(???):
Temperature ( 4.5 ->32o C)
Relative Humidity (> 70%)
Moisture (22-23% in grain)
Oxygen (1-2%)

4. • Mycotoxins are naturally created by many different types of
molds. These fungi and the toxins they create can proliferate on a
wide variety of foodstuffs, including cereals, nuts, spices and
grains, both for human and animal consumption. One of the most
toxic mycotoxins, aflatoxins, is produced by two types of
mold, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. These are
highly dangerous for both humans and animals. Ingesting
aflatoxins in high enough levels can cause a long list of
problems from nausea and vomiting to convulsions and cirrhosis
to cancer and death. Animals that ingest aflatoxins can spread the
toxins to humans through their milk.
•

5. Mycotoxins
Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites
of certain species of fungi (molds)”
Thousands of Mycotoxins are present on
earth but only 300have been discovered

6. Where do Mycotoxins come from?
Fusarium sp.
Aspergillus sp.
Penicillium sp.
Storage Fungi
Field Fungi
Fusarium spp.
- Trichothecenes
(T-2, DON);
- Zearalenone;
- Fumonisins.
Aspergillus spp.
- Aflatoxins;
- Ocratoxins.
Penicillium spp:
- Ocratoxins.

7. Mycotoxin Facts
Total Mycotoxins = Mycotoxins + masked Mycotoxins
Mycotoxins at very low concentrations (ppm or ppb) are capable of causing serious health problems for
humans as well as animals.
There is usually no treatment for Mycotoxin poisoning (Mycotoxicosis).
25% of world’s crop
contaminated with
Mycotoxins (Food and Agriculture
Organization)
Ref: FAO
95% of the Mycotoxins in feed
are already produced on the field
Mahanna B. (CEO Pioneer), Western Dairy Management
Conference, Reno NV, 2005
Ref: Pioneer

8. • MOST SIGNIFICANT
MYCOTOXINS AFFECTING
ANIMALS

9. Most Significant Mycotoxins
Aflatoxin B1 Ochratoxin A
Zearalenone
T-2 Toxin
Fumonisin B1
DON

10. Maximum limit (Action levels) of some mycotoxins in
Poultry

11. Now the questionis:"Is the level of Mycotoxin present
safe to feed my animals on it?”

12. Maximum limit
Mycotoxins Maximum limit
Total Aflatoxins 20 ppb
Aflatoxin B1 5 ppb
Aflatoxin M (in milk) 0.5 ppb
Ochratoxin A 10 ppb
Zearalenone 250 ppb
T-2 500 ppb
Fumonisin 5 ppm
Vomitoxin (DON) 5 ppm

15. Summary
Mycotoxins are prevalent in feeds
•Mycotoxins interact with other mycotoxins
and other factors such as nutrition and stress
producing variable results
•High levels cause acute effects in Poultry
death
•Mycotoxins can be the root cause of various
problems
•Prevention is important
•Treatment are effective

16. ruminants

18. Mycotoxin
concerns
have
increases
• Learned more about mycotoxins & their toxicity.
• •Better analytical methods.
• •High producing cows, buffaloes & Calves are more
susceptible:
• •More stress –more diseases
• •Nutrient deficiencies
• •Low ruminal mycotoxin degradation –increase toxicity
• •Higher feed (and grain) consumption –increase
rumen turnover
• •Lower fiber –low pH –fewer protozoa

19. •The more stressed cows, such as fresh cows, are most affected.
•Symptoms of mycotoxins may be nonspecific and wide ranging (90% sub clinical).
General Symptoms
•Reduced production,
•Reduced feed consumption
•Intermittent diarrhea (sometimes with bloody or dark manure),
•Unthriftiness, rough hair coat,
•Increase in incidence of disease, such as displaced abomasum, ketosis, retained placenta, metritis,
mastitis, and fatty livers.
•Decrease feed efficiency & growth rate in calves & heifers
•Animals do not respond well to veterinary therapy.
• Symptoms of Mycotoxicosis in dairy cows

20. Subclinical effects of mycotoxins can be seen in:
•Immune system
•Antibody titers after vaccination
•Phagocyticactivity
•Phagocyticindex
•Immunoglobulins(Ig: A,G, M, D, E)
•Lymphocytes
•Chemotactic index
•Antioxidants
•Uric acids
•Glutathione (or Se)
•Malondialdehyde(MDA)

21. Summary
• Mycotoxins are prevalent in feeds
• Mycotoxins are toxic to dairy cattle
• Mycotoxins interact with other mycotoxins and others
factors such as nutrition and stress producing variable
results
• High levels cause acute effects in cattle –death
• Low level cause the greatest economic loss –chronic
effects –milk loss –greater diseases
• Mycotoxins can be the root cause of various
problems
• Prevention is important
• Treatment are effective

22. How to Control
Mycotoxins in Feed

23. How to Control Mycotoxins in Feed
• Testing at Receiving
A small amount of contaminated corn or grain can quickly contaminate an entire batch.
If the grain is not stored and dried properly after it’s harvested, the rotting material can
produce aflatoxins in as little as 24 hours. This means the grain may appear
uncontaminated when it’s shipped, but reach your feed mill with dangerous mycotoxins.
• Clean and Maintain Storage Areas
As previously mentioned, mycotoxins thrive in damp environments and proliferate on
damaged grains. The fungi can also spread quickly to uncontaminated grains. This
means that proper storage is critical to control mycotoxins in feed mills. This starts with
proper cleaning. The silo or storage area should be clean and dry prior to receiving.
• Maintaining a Cool, Dry Environment
Maintaining a cool, dry environment is one of the best ways to control mycotoxins in feed
mills. This will help to prevent mycotoxins from growing in the first place, and prevent
them from spreading if they are present. The moisture levels should be below 12 to 13%,
and the grain should be kept at a cool 60°F. Aeration fans can help to maintain these
levels in large storage areas when environmental conditions don’t cooperate.

24. Pre-
Cleaning
Aspirated
Cleaner

25. Mycotoxin Deactivators
• Mycotoxin adsorbents or binding agents, are the most
common approach to prevent and treat mycotoxicosis in
animals.
Types Of Mycotoxin Adsorbent
There are two types of mycotoxin adsorbent/binder:
1. Inorganic binders
2. Organic adsorbents

26. Advantages:
Inexpensive and easy to handle
– Costs are cheap but require a high inclusion rate in
animals.
– They can be mixed with compound feed at a mill or mixed
on farm for home mixers.
• Inorganic binders
• Inorganic mycotoxin binders are silica based
polymers.
• Examples could include:
• 1. Zeolites
• 2. Bentonites
• 3. Bleaching clays from the refining of canola oil
• 4. Hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicates
(HSCAS)
• 5. Diatomaceous earth
• 6. Numerous clays

27. Organic Adsorbents
Organic mycotoxin
adsorbents are carbon
based polymers.
Examples could include:
Fibrous plant sources
Extracts of yeast cell wall
• Advantages:
• 1. They are biodegradable.
• 2. Benefits of yeast cell wall are:
• 1. Low inclusion
• 2. High surface area
• 3. No toxic contaminants

28. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR ATTENTION
MOHAMED YASSIN
TECHNO
COMMERCIAL
MANAGER mailyassin1985@gmail.com