Biological control of potential toxigenic fungi in straw used as bedding material for swine.

Abstract

Straw is commonly used in swineherds as bedding or litter material with a positive impact on the environment and animal welfare. Straw, including seemingly good quality may contain high number of moulds and may thus represent a health risk both for the farmer and the pigs, especially pregnant sows and piglets (newborn pigs to weaning ones). The toxigenic fungi as Fusarium, Chaetomium, Stachybotrys, Penicillium and others cause decreases in feed intake, slow growth rate, fertility disturbances, early abortions and can suppress the immune system affects the gastro-intestinal tract. The aim of this study is a screening of the potential toxigenic fungi in the bedding straw from the swine biobase of USAMV Cluj and the testing of some tinctures, which can have a fungistatic effect against these fungi.