Abstract
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), among other aflatoxins of the aflatoxin family, is the most carcinogenic and hazardous mycotoxin to animals and human beings with very high potency leading to aflatoxicosis. Selenium is an essential trace mineral possessing powerful antioxidant functions. Selenium is widely reported as an effective antioxidant against aflatoxicosis. By preventing oxidative liver damage, suppressing pro-apoptotic proteins and improving immune status in AFB1 affected animals; selenium confers specific protection against AFB1 toxicity. Meticulous supplementation of animal feed by elemental selenium in the organic and inorganic forms has proven to be effective to ameliorate AFB1 toxicity. Curcumin is another dietary agent of importance in tackling aflatoxicosis. Curcumin is one of the major active ingredients in the tubers of a spice Curcuma longa L., a widely reported antioxidant, anticarcinogenic agent with reported protective potential against aflatoxin-mediated liver damage. Curcumin restricts the aflatoxigenic potential of Aspergillus flavus. Curcumin inhibits cytochrome P450 isoenzymes, particularly CYP2A6 isoform; thereby reducing the formation of AFB1-8, 9-epoxide and other toxic metabolites causing aflatoxicosis. In this review, we have briefly reviewed important aflatoxicosis symptoms among animals. With the main focus on curcumin and selenium, we have reviewed their underlying protective mechanisms in different animals along with their extraction and production methods for feed applications.
Highlights
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), among other aflatoxins of the aflatoxin family, is the most carcinogenic and hazardous mycotoxin to animals and human beings with very high potency leading to aflatoxicosis
AFB1 toxicity in cattle is of dual significance as it affects the animal growth performance, as well as it leads to milk carryover as AFM1 in the case of lactating cows
Ameliorative evidence of selenium in the animal diet to mitigate AFB1-mediated toxicity has been reported over the years in different animal species [84,85,86,87,88]
Summary
Aflatoxins constitute a family of secondary metabolites mainly produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus [1]. Dietary exposure of AFB1 through infected food ingredients has dose-dependent severe implications on livestock and humans. Dietary AFB1 exposure in swine results in impaired lymphocyte activation, negative influence on vaccine efficiency and delayed cell-mediated immune response. It leads to the heightened expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. AFB1 toxicity in cattle is of dual significance as it affects the animal growth performance, as well as it leads to milk carryover as AFM1 in the case of lactating cows. In the forthcoming sections, we will review the two dietary feed supplements; selenium and curcumin in specific relation to AFB1 toxicity alleviation along with important considerations in their application and production
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