Effect of activated clinoptilolite in aflatoxin B1 contaminated laying hen diets on aflatoxin B1 residues and quality of eggs

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effect of a high level of aflatoxin B1 in laying hen diets, supplemented with deactivated and activated clinoptilolite, on inner and outer quality and aflatoxin B1 residues in eggs. Two experimental groups were formed and fed high aflatoxin B1 diets (965 ppb) containing deactivated and activated (450 ?C for 60 minutes) clinoptilolite (2% of diet) for 49 days. In the experiment, a total of 960 55-week-old Lohmann LSL (white) laying hens were used. Each group had 8 replicates and 480 hens. Egg weight, inner and outer egg quality parameters and egg aflatoxin B1 levels were determined in a total of 90 eggs collected on the 15th, 30th and 49th days of the experiment. Diets containing deactivated or activated clinoptilolite decreased aflatoxin B1 production in laying hen diets after incubation period of 15 days. Activation of clinoptilolite by heat treat?ment significantly reduced aflatoxin B1 level in eggs (p<0.05). In addition, the use of clinop?tilolite as an antifungal agent in the presence of high aflatoxin B1level in layer hen diets significantly increased the weight of eggs and significantly reduced the ratio of broken-cracked and dirty eggs (p<0.05). Chicken blood albumin, creatinine and calcium levels were higher in hens fed diet containing activated clinoptilolite (p<0.05). However, triglyceride and VLDL levels decreased significantly in the blood of these animals (p <0.05). In conclusion, the supplementation of hen diets containing high aflatoxin B1 with activated clinoptilolite improves production performance, egg quality and decreases aflatoxin B1 residue in the egg.