Mycotoxins refer to toxic metabolites produced primarily by mold. Feed raw materials can mold and mildew during production, processing, transport, and storage. Mold not only contaminates feed but also consumes nutrients in the feed. Its metabolites, mycotoxins, can cause serious harm to livestock and poultry. In some areas, high summer temperatures are common. Many farms have a moldy feed.
Mycotoxins mainly refer to the toxic metabolites produced by mold in the feed. They can enter the animal's body through the feed. This can cause acute or chronic toxicity. They damage the liver, kidneys, nervous system, blood, and skin. It also causes serious losses to the livestock industry.
Molds will grow and mycotoxins will form in feed raw materials, like grains, during their processing, transport, and storage. There are many reasons for feeding mold. Besides mycotoxin contamination, high moisture can cause feed mold. So can a humid, insect-ridden environment.
Reports indicate that molds contaminate a quarter of global crops each year. Mycotoxins harm animals in different ways and cause various symptoms. Their prevention and control methods also vary.
The harm and symptoms of different mycotoxins
| Toxin category | Main hazards | Symptoms |
| Aflatoxin | Damage to the liver and immune system | Liver parenchymal cell deformation, cirrhosis, acute poisoning, acute hepatitis, hemorrhagic necrosis, hepatic steatosis bile duct hyperplasia, etc. |
| Zearalenone | Damage to the reproductive system | Female livestock external genital enlargement, ovarian cyst, frequent estrus, etc. |
| Vomitoxin | Potential inhibitors of protein synthesis | Vomiting, diarrhea, refusal to eat, neurological disorders, abortion, stillbirth, etc. |
| Ochratoxin | Damage to the liver and kidney | Kidney hypertrophy, kidney necrosis, etc. |
| Fumonisin | Affects the metabolism of sphingolipids | Depression, drowsiness, blindness, stumbling, paralysis, usually within 2-3 days of death, etc. |
| T2 toxin | Damage to lymphocytes and hematopoietic cells | Anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, growth arrest, reproductive disorders, etc. |
Prevention and treatment of mycotoxins
Mycotoxins in feed are a serious hazard to livestock and poultry. It is currently impossible to avoid mycotoxin contamination in feed. So, strict control of feed mold prevention and detoxification is key. It prevents mold and reduces mycotoxin harm. To prevent mold, focus on the source. Here are the main measures.
Strictly control the water content of feed ingredients
Excessive moisture in feed raw materials during storage is the main cause of feed mold. Drying feed raw materials is the best way to control mold. Studies show mold can grow when feed raw materials exceed 15% moisture.
At 17% to 18% moisture, conditions are ideal for mold to reproduce and produce toxins. So, farmers should dry crops right after harvesting them. They must control their moisture content with precision. This is the most important way to control feed mold at the source.
Strictly control the storage environment of the feed
The main factors that affect mold in stored dry feed are air humidity and temperature. Studies have found that the best growth conditions for parasitic Aspergillus are 33-38℃ and over 80% humidity. So, keeping the storage environment dry is key to preventing feed mold. Keep storage warehouses dry and ventilated. Also, studies show a link between mold in feed and storage time. More storage time means more mold.
Add mold inhibitor
An antifungal agent is a preparation that can kill or inhibit mold. It prevents the application object from mildewing. Mold inhibitors in feed consist primarily of organic acid lipids, salts, and acids. It mainly creates an acidic environment. Or, it destroys the cell wall of enzyme bacteria.
This inhibits the growth and toxin production of strains. As a feed anti-mildew agent, it must meet three requirements:
(1)It must be safe, with no toxic effect on animals.
(2)It must have a low pH, with full release in the feed.
(3) It must provide significant and extensive inhibition of mold.
The main anti-mildew agents in feed are propionic acid and its salts, sorbic acid and its salts, and ethoxyquin. The feed industry uses the most propionic acid and its salts. Next is sorbic acid and its salts. Antifungal agents can partly prevent feed mildew. But, they don't affect the toxins produced. We need to administer a treatment to detoxify the mycotoxins that have been made.
Summary
Moldy feed produces toxins and an enzyme. They will reduce the feed's taste and nutrients. They may also harm the immune system and growth of livestock and poultry, even causing death. Strict mold control and detoxifying feed are vital for profits in animal husbandry.
Feed safety depends on preventing and, to a lesser extent, treating mold. This controls enzyme and bacterial toxins. Many methods now exist to detoxify enzymes and bacterial toxins. Microbial and combined detoxification methods have significantly enhanced the effectiveness of detoxification.
You maybe have the following troubles:
My pigs on my farm are always sick.
My cow often has a poor appetite.
My sheep often die.
Do you want your pigs/cattle/sheep to grow healthily?
Lima Biotechnology Company: Mycotoxins Remover
Effect:
1.Absorb Mycotoxins
2.Improve Immunity
3.Repair Damaged Organs
Application:
Pigs, cattle, sheep, poultry
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