Abstract
Mycotoxins contaminating animal feed can exert toxic effects in animals and be transferred into animal products. Therefore, mycotoxin occurrence in feed should be monitored. To this end, we performed a large-scale global survey of mycotoxin contamination in feed and assessed regional differences and year-to-year variation of mycotoxin occurrence. Concentrations of aflatoxin B1, zearalenone, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, and T-2 toxin were analyzed in 74,821 samples of feed and feed raw materials (e.g., maize, wheat, soybean) collected from 100 countries from 2008 to 2017. In total, 88% of the samples were contaminated with at least one mycotoxin. Mycotoxin occurrence showed distinct regional trends and climate was a key determinant governing these trends. In most regions, the majority of samples complied with maximum levels and guidance values for mycotoxins in animal feed that are in effect in the European Union. However, 41.1%, 38.5%, and 20.9% of samples from South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia, respectively, exceeded the maximum level for aflatoxin B1 (20 µg/kg). In several regions, mycotoxin concentrations in maize showed a pronounced year-to-year variation that could be explained by rainfall or temperature during sensitive periods of grain development. A large fraction of samples (64%) was co-contaminated with ≥ 2 mycotoxins. Most frequently observed mycotoxin mixtures were combinations of deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and fumonisins, as well as fumonisins and aflatoxin B1. Deoxynivalenol and zearalenone concentrations were correlated in maize and wheat. In conclusion, according to an extensive global survey, mycotoxin (co-)contamination of animal feed is common, shows regional trends, and is governed in part by climate and weather.
Highlights
Mycotoxins are toxic fungal secondary metabolites frequently found as contaminants of food and feed
The majority of samples complied with maximum levels and guidance values for mycotoxins in animal feed that are in effect in the European Union
74,821 samples collected from 100 countries were analyzed for AFB1, fumonisins, ZEN
Summary
Mycotoxins are toxic fungal secondary metabolites frequently found as contaminants of food and feed. The most common mycotoxins are aflatoxins (e.g., aflatoxin B1 ; AFB1 ), fumonisins, zearalenone (ZEN), type B trichothecenes (e.g., deoxynivalenol; DON), type A trichothecenes (e.g., T-2 toxin; T-2), and ochratoxin A (OTA). These mycotoxins are known to exert toxic effects in farm animals, causing distress and reduced productivity [1]. Some mycotoxins may carryover in livestock products, such as meat, eggs, and milk [2], thereby compromising the safety of human consumers. To prevent negative effects on animals and consumers, many countries regulate mycotoxin concentrations in feed
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