Mycotoxicoses In Animals Research Articles

Occurrence of Ochratoxin in Complete Feed Mixtures for Monogastric Animals

Abstract Ochratoxin A is a foreign substance of natural origin. It can be found in a wide range of commodities, including animal feed. Ochratoxin A is a dangerous contaminant, which can have a negative effect on the health and production of animals. In this study, the incidence of ochratoxin A in a complete feed for broilers (n = 25) and pigs (n = 6) was determined. Ochratoxin A was detected in one sample of pigs feed (16.67 %) and its concentration was 1.221 µg.kg−1. This mycotoxin was not detected in the broiler feed samples. These results indicate that the feed samples collected were safe and do not pose a risk of acute mycotoxicosis in animals.

Mycotoxicological monitoring of feed and its role in prevention of animal mycotoxicoses

Mycotoxins can accumulate in raw materials of plant origin at different technological stages of its production. Most often, the producers of mycotoxins are fungi of the genera Aspergillus , Fusarium , Penicillium and some others. The clinical symptoms of mycotoxicoses vary significantly, and lethal outcomes are possible. For this reason, the mycotoxicological study of various types of feed under production conditions is an indispensable component of veterinary support of industrial animal husbandry. As part of this study, a retrospective analysis of the results of a mycotoxicological study of feed for different animal species was carried out in the Omsk region in 2017-2021. All feeds received by the Omsk Regional Veterinary Laboratory for 5 years for the determination of mycotoxins were examined for the presence of ochratoxin A, zearalenone, T-2 toxin, aflatoxin B 1, deoxynivalenol. It was established that almost 70 % of the studied samples contained mycotoxins, including their maximum allowable level was exceeded in 74 samples. Exceeding the permissible levels was noted for the content of T-2 toxin (34 samples), zearalenone (27 samples), ochratoxin A (6 samples), aflatoxin B 1 (4 samples) and deoxynivalenol (3 samples). The largest number of cases of contamination was recorded in the study of feed and feed mixtures. The greatest danger is the multiple contamination of feed with mycotoxins. This increases the risk of developing comorbid conditions and the spread of opportunistic infections.

YEAST CELL WALLS ARE AN EFFECTIVE MYCOTOXIN ADSORBENT IN FEED

In the world, serious attention is paid to the development of modern and effective methods for disinfecting feed from mycotoxins. Due to the characteristic weather conditions in the Republic of Belarus, almost all large livestock complexes and private farms are faced with the problem of mycotoxicosis in animals and birds, and this, in turn, has a huge impact on feed safety and, subsequently, on food safety. The problem
 of mycotoxins in feed can be solved by using various adsorbents. A mycotoxin adsorbent based on yeast cell walls is suitable for the role of such adsorbents. This article presents the results of studies on the physicochemical properties of yeast cell walls and their adsorption capacity by high performance liquid chromatography, using a reference sample of Trylogy multitoxins, in relation to such mycotoxins as aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A,
 zearalenone, deoxynivalenol. The obtained results show that yeast cell walls have good adsorption capacity for high molecular weight mycotoxins and poorly adsorb low molecular weight mycotoxins.

Evaluation of a Yeast Hydrolysate from a Novel Strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for Mycotoxin Mitigation using In Vitro and In Vivo Models.

Mycotoxicoses in animals are caused by exposure to mycotoxin-contaminated feeds. Disease risk is managed using dietary adsorbing agents which reduce oral bioavailability. The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of three selected yeast products as mycotoxin binders using in vitro and in vivo models. Their capacity to adsorb deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), and ochratoxin A (OTA) was evaluated using an in vitro model designed to simulate the pH conditions during gastric passage in a monogastric animal. Results showed that only one product, an enzymatic yeast hydrolysate (YHY) of a novel strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae, adsorbed about 45% of DON in solution. Next, we determined the effect of YHY on oral absorption of a DON, ZEA, and OTA mixture using a toxicokinetic model in swine. Toxicokinetic modeling of the plasma concentration-time profiles of DON, OTA, and zearalenone-glucuronide (ZEA-GlcA) showed that YHY tended to reduce the maximal plasma concentration of OTA by 17%. YHY did not reduce oral bioavailability of OTA, DON, and ZEA-GlcA. Within the context of this experiment, and despite some positive indications from both the in vitro and in vivo models employed, we conclude that the YHY prototype was not an effective agent for multiple mycotoxin adsorption.

HepG2 liver cells treated with fumonisin B1 in galactose supplemented media have altered expression of genes and proteins known to regulate cholesterol flux

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) contributes to mycotoxicosis in animals and has been associated with the incidence of some cancers in humans. The effect of FB1 on lipidomic profiles, sphingolipids and cholesterol levels have been demonstrated in experimental models, however, the events leading to altered cholesterol levels are unclear. This study investigates the molecular mechanisms that regulate the effect of FB1 on cholesterol homeostasis in galactose supplemented HepG2 liver cells. Galactose supplementation is a proven method utilised to circumvent the Crabtree effect exhibited by cancer cells, which forces cancer cells to activate the mitochondria. HepG2 cells were cultured in galactose supplemented media and treated with FB1 (IC50 = 25 μM) for 6 h. Cell viability was determined using the MTT assay. Metabolic status was evaluated using ATP luciferase assay, and cholesterol regulatory transcription factors (SIRT1, SREBP-1C, LXR, LDLR, PCSK9, and ABCA1) were investigated using western blotting and qPCR. FB1 in galactose supplemented HepG2 cells increased gene expression of SIRT1 (P<0.05), SREBP-1C, LXR, and LDLR; however, PCSK9 (P<0.05) was decreased. Furthermore, protein expression of SIRT1, LXR, and LDLR was elevated upon FB1 treatment, while SREBP-1C and PCSK9 were reduced. The data provides evidence that SIRT1 reduced the expression of PCSK9 and deacetylated LXR to prevent degradation of LDLR. This could result in a dysregulated cholesterol flux, which may contribute to FB1 mediated toxicity.

Investigation of feedstuff contaminated with aflatoxigenic fungi species in the semi-arid region in northeast of Iran.

There is a close relationship between human health and the quality of the ration used by domestic animals. Also, molds, like genus of Aspergillus, infect animal and human food products with dangerous toxic substances, i.e., aflatoxins that are causing primary and secondary mycotoxicosis in animals and human. The aim of this study was to compare fungal species that contaminated and produced aflatoxin in livestock and poultry feed in Gonabad that is a semi-arid city in northeast of Iran. Sampling was randomly performed three times from two livestock feed mills and two poultry feed mills during summer and autumn. Samples were cultured in two forms of solid and suspension in Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol medium (SC) for 5days in 28°C. Microscopic diagnostic test and also molecular diagnostic test were used to determine fungal species in culture based on β-tubulin gene sequencing. A total of 27.25% and 31.7% of two livestock feed and two poultry feed samples were contaminated with Aspergillus, respectively. Aspergillus flavus (n = 4), Aspergillus Fumigatus (n = 2), Aspergillus versicolor (n = 2), Aspergillus niger (n = 2), Aspergillus parasiticus (n = 1), Aspergillus ochraceus (n = 1), and Aspergillus terreus (n = 1) were detected by molecular PCR test. The rate of contamination to genus of Aspergillus in autumn was higher than summer (P value = 0.008). Poultry feed sample showed more contamination to Aspergillus species compared with livestock feed.

Determination of fungal genera composition and total toxicity of feed produced in the Republic of Crimea

Animal mycotoxicoses caused by ingestion of toxicogenic micromycete-contaminated feed are of major concern for agricultural industry and of great importance for production of agricultural products. In 2017–2019, feed and raw feed materials produced in the Republic of Crimea were tested for mold fungi and genera composition thereof; the feedstuffs were tested for total toxicity by bioassay in rabbits. A total of 252 samples including 124 grain feed samples, 70 forage samples, 58 mixed feed samples were selected for testing. Tests showed that the major detected contaminants were members of the following genera: Mucor (67.9%), Penicillium (26.6%), Aspergillus (13.1%), Fusarium (9.1%), Alternaria (8.7%), Stachybotrys (3.6%) and Rhizopus (2.0%). It was revealed that feed were exposed to mold fungi contamination during vegetation and harvesting as well as during transportation and storage. Thus, in spring the feed were more often contaminated with micromycetes of Penicillium genus (37.8%) and Stachybotrys genus (6.7%); feed collected and tested in autumn were more often contaminated with toxicogenic mold fungi of Fusarium genus (14.9%), Alternaria genus (13.9%) and Rhizopus genus (3.0%); in winter members of Mucor genus (78.0%) and Aspergillus genus (22.0%) were most often detected in feed. Tests for determination of total toxicity showed that 9 (7.3%) and 10 (8.1%) samples out of 124 tested grain feed samples were low toxic and evidently toxic, respectively. Tests of mixed feed samples for toxicity showed that 5 samples (8.6%) and 2 (3.4%) samples out of 58 mixed feed samples were low toxic and evidently toxic, respectively. It was shown that the proportion of contaminated feed was the highest in spring (25.0%) as compared to proportion of the contaminated feed in winter (18.2%), in autumn (13.7%) and in summer (4.5%).

A Review of the Impact of Mycotoxins on Dairy Cattle Health: Challenges for Food Safety and Dairy Production in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of fungi that contaminate food and feed and have a significant negative impact on human and animal health and productivity. The tropical condition in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) together with poor storage of feed promotes fungal growth and subsequent mycotoxin production. Aflatoxins (AF) produced by Aspergillus species, fumonisins (FUM), zearalenone (ZEN), T-2 toxin (T-2), and deoxynivalenol (DON) produced by Fusarium species, and ochratoxin A (OTA) produced by Penicillium and Aspergillus species are well-known mycotoxins of agricultural importance. Consumption of feed contaminated with these toxins may cause mycotoxicoses in animals, characterized by a range of clinical signs depending on the toxin, and losses in the animal industry. In SSA, contamination of dairy feed with mycotoxins has been frequently reported, which poses a serious constraint to animal health and productivity, and is also a hazard to human health since some mycotoxins and their metabolites are excreted in milk, especially aflatoxin M1. This review describes the major mycotoxins, their occurrence, and impact in dairy cattle diets in SSA highlighting the problems related to animal health, productivity, and food safety and the up-to-date post-harvest mitigation strategies for the prevention and reduction of contamination of dairy feed.

Application efficiency of complex pharmacotherapy schemes at combined mycotoxicosis in young bulls

The article presents data on the study of the effectiveness of tetra-p feed additive and toxin adsorbents Minazel plus and Sorbitox introduced into feed, naturally contaminated with mycotoxins. The experiment was conducted on young bulls of 9 months age, which for 3 months got the preparations in diets in the following concentrations: the first group – tetra-p – 5.0 kg/t of feed, Minazel plus – 1.5 kg/t of feed, the second group – tetra-p – 5.0 kg/t of feed, Sorbitox (1.5 kg/t of feed). The results of the experiment determined that the use of tetra-p in combination with preparations with sorption activity had a pronounced therapeutic effect on the body of young bulls. An improvement in the clinical condition of animals was observed from 14-16 days of the experimental period and was manifested by an increase in appetite, normalization of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as by an increase in body weight gain by 11.7 % and 10.3 %. Blood biochemical parameters were characterized by an increase in the level of total protein by 12.4–15.8 % (p ≤ 0.01), albumin by 18.0–21.3 %, urea by a factor of 1.53–1.44 (p ≥ 0.01), cholesterol by 1.4–1.56 times and triglycerides by 1.6 times. The activity of liver enzymes decreased by 18.3–21.4 % (ALT) and by 25.7–27.1 % (AST). It has been proved that the developed scheme improves the effectiveness of treatment of mycotoxicosis in animals by the optimizing effect on metabolism, restoration of impaired homeostasis, activation of reparative processes of the liver tissue and increased deposition, activation and utilization of pollutants, produced by microscopic fungi.

Causes of diseases of the digestive system of the young cattle

Monitoring of diseases of the digestive system of young cattle was carried out in agricultural enterprises of Ryazan region. The conditions of animal management were studied. The diagnosis of infectious diseases of the digestive system of calves was established taking into consideration the results of epizootological data, clinical signs, pathological anatomical picture on the basis of bacteriological, mycological, mycotoxicological, copro-ovoscopic and larvoscopic studies. Of the total number of 168,572 calves, the number of animals with diseases of the digestive system was 28,32-44,19%. Among mixed invasions in young cattle up to 6-8 months of age, Ostertagias were recorded in combination with Chabertias and esophagostomas. Calves at the age of 2-3 months often had additional eimeriosis. Among infectious diseases of young cattle, diseases of bacterial etiology amounted to 89,69-94,11% (50,98% - colibacillosis, 11,92% - proteus infection, 4,95% - salmonellosis, 4,53% - pasteurelliosis, 5,93% - pseudomonosis, 10,51% - streptococcosis, 2,10% - staphylococcosis, 0,47% - klebsiellosis). Laboratory tests of feed revealed microscopic fungi, but no mycotoxins were found. Mycotoxicosis in animals were not registered.

Discovery of novel fungal species and pathogens on bat carcasses in a cave in Yunnan Province, China

ABSTRACT Virulent infectious fungal diseases, in natural and managed landscapes, are increasing. Fungal diseases in humans, animals and plants have caused die-off and extinction events and have become a threat to food security. A caving expedition in Yunnan Province, China, revealed two bat carcasses covered in fungal mycelia. Eleven fungal isolates were obtained from these bat carcasses, and morphological observations and multigene phylogenetic analyses revealed they were Fusarium incarnatum, Mucor hiemalis and Trichoderma harzianum and four new species, Mortierella rhinolophicola, M. multispora, M. yunnanensis and Neocosmospora pallidimors. One of the more alarming findings is that a number of infections related to Neocosmospora, previously associated with human and animal mycotoxicoses, are reported to be increasing, and here we present a new species from this genus, isolated from dead bats. Due to the ecosystem services provided by bats, and the close relationship between bats and humans, future research should focus on the impacts and significance of N. pallidimors to human and animal health, examining its pathogenicity and secondary metabolites. Taxonomic descriptions, color images of the habitat, in situ samples, microstructures and cultures are presented. SEM photographs of microstructures and phylogenetic trees showing the placement of new and known species are also provided.

Investigation of antifungal activity of surfactin against mycotoxigenic phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium moniliforme and its impact in seed germination and mycotoxicosis

The mycotoxigenic phytopathogenic fungus such as Fusarium moniliforme contamination in maize kernels may not only affect seed germination but also negatively cause mycotoxicosis in animals and humans. There is no effective fungicides to control the growth of F. moniliforme on maize kernels. Hence, effective bioactive compounds are needed to prevent plant and animal diseases associated with F. moniliforme contamination in cereals. Surfactin is an well-known antimicrobial lipopeptide has strong antifungal activities against several phytopathogenic fungi and may have potential uses in agriculture. So, in this present study the antifungal activity of surfactin extracted from Brevibacillus brevis KN8(2) was investigated against F. moniliforme, further its impact in seed germination and mycotoxicosis was also studied. Our results showed that surfactin inhibited and damaged the hyphae of F. moniliforme in in vitro. The agarose gel electrophoresis, SDS-PAGE analysis and biochemical assay presented that surfactin damaged the DNA, protein and reduced the GSH content in F. moniliforme. Furthermore, surfactin prevent maize seed germination problem and mycotoxicosis in animal model associated with F. moniliforme via prevention of F. moniliforme contamination on maize kernels. These findings revealed that surfactin could be an effective bio-fungicide in the plant disease management.

The protective role of liver X receptor (LXR) during fumonisin B1-induced hepatotoxicity.

Fumonisin B1 (FB1), a congener of fumonisins produced by Fusarium species, is the most abundant and most toxicologically active fumonisin. FB1 causes severe mycotoxicosis in animals, including nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and disruption of the intestinal barrier. However, mechanisms associated with FB1 toxicity are still unclear. Preliminary studies have highlighted the role of liver X receptors (LXRs) during FB1 exposure. LXRs belong to the nuclear receptor family and control the expression of genes involved in cholesterol and lipid homeostasis. In this context, the toxicity of FB1 was compared in female wild-type (LXR+/+) and LXRα,β double knockout (LXR-/-) mice in the absence or presence of FB1 (10mg/kg body weight/day) for 28days. Exposure to FB1 supplemented in the mice's drinking water resulted in more pronounced hepatotoxicity in LXR-/- mice compared to LXR+/+ mice, as indicated by hepatic transaminase levels (ALT, AST) and hepatic inflammatory and fibrotic lesions. Next, the effect of FB1 exposure on the liver transcriptome was investigated. FB1 exposure led to a specific transcriptional response in LXR-/- mice that included altered cholesterol and bile acid homeostasis. ELISA showed that these effects were associated with an elevated FB1 concentration in the plasma of LXR-/- mice, suggesting that LXRs participate in intestinal absorption and/or clearance of the toxin. In summary, this study demonstrates an important role of LXRs in protecting the liver against FB1-induced toxicity, suggesting an alternative mechanism not related to the inhibition of sphingolipid synthesis for mycotoxin toxicity.

In vitro antitumor activity of patulin on cervical and colorectal cancer cell lines.

Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by some molds, especially Aspergillus and Penicilium, and is responsible for mycotoxicosis in animals and humans.There is still not very detailed data about the anti-cancer potency of patulin, but some reports demonstrated that it induces cellular apoptosis and toxicity. To determine the efficacy of patulin as a therapeutic strategy for cervical and colorectal cancers, we investigated its effects on HeLa,SW-48, and MRC-5 cell lines. Cell lines were exposed to various concentrations of patulin (i.e., 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 µM), then using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) assays, the rates of apoptosis and cell viability were determined. The obtained results showed a significant reduction in cell viability and apoptosis induction in a dose-dependent manner. Among all the cell lines, the highest growth inhibition rate was obtained at the 4 μM concentration of patulin. Our results suggested that patulin could significantly decrease tumor growth in human cervical and colorectal cancer models.

T-2 mycotoxin: toxicological effects and decontamination strategies.

Mycotoxins are highly diverse secondary metabolites produced in nature by a wide variety of fungus which causes food contamination, resulting in mycotoxicosis in animals and humans. In particular, trichothecenes mycotoxin produced by genus fusarium is agriculturally more important worldwide due to the potential health hazards they pose. It is mainly metabolized and eliminated after ingestion, yielding more than 20 metabolites with the hydroxy trichothecenes-2 toxin being the major metabolite. Trichothecene is hazardously intoxicating due to their additional potential to be topically absorbed, and their metabolites affect the gastrointestinal tract, skin, kidney, liver, and immune and hematopoietic progenitor cellular systems. Sensitivity to this type of toxin varying from dairy cattle to pigs, with the most sensitive endpoints being neural, reproductive, immunological and hematological effects. The mechanism of action mainly consists of the inhibition of protein synthesis and oxidative damage to cells followed by the disruption of nucleic acid synthesis and ensuing apoptosis. In this review, the possible hazards, historical significance, toxicokinetics, and the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects along with regulatory guidelines and recommendations pertaining to the trichothecene mycotoxin are discussed. Furthermore, various techniques utilized for toxin determination, pathophysiology, prophylaxis and treatment using herbal antioxidant compounds and regulatory guidelines and recommendations are reviewed. The prospects of the trichothecene as potential hazardous agents, decontamination strategies and future perspectives along with plausible therapeutic uses are comprehensively described.

Контамінація та ушкодження мікроміцетами зерна та кормів

Контамінація та ушкодження мікроміцетами зерна та кормів

ПОКАЗНИКИ АЗОТОВОГО ОБМІНУ КУРЧАТ–БРОЙЛЕРІВ КРОСУ РОСС–308 ЗА СУМІСНОЇ ДІЇ ОХРАТОКСИНУ А ТА ДЕЗОКСИНІВАЛЕНОЛУ

Mycotoxicoses of farm animals cause the huge losses on a global scale, therefore the development of new methods for their treatment and prevention mycotoxins entry to organism of animals is still priority in veterinary toxicology.Today the understanding that the vast majority of animals mycotoxicoses cases is the mixed mycotoxicoses, that are resulting toxic effects of complex set of different mycotoxins, which complicates their diagnostics and prevention and treatment.Most of animals mycotoxicoses is a chronic disease at which disturbed metabolism, and the most vulnerable are lymphoid organs, liver, ductless glands and central nervous system. Therefore, treatment of animals should be complex – antidote, pathogenetic and symptomatic,and the search for new tools in the fight against mycotoxicosis in animals is a topical research direction in modern veterinary medicine.The article presents the experimental data about joint action of ochratoxin A and deoxynivalenol on nitrogenous metabolism parameters of broiler chickens. Conditions of nitrogenous metabolism in the organism of broiler chickens were studied by content of total protein, albumin, urea and creatinine. Established that the joint action of ochratoxin A and deoxynivalenol to the broiler chickens manifested dysproteinemia, that is the result of liver protein synthesis function disorder and absorption of protein cleavage products from the small intestine, owing to mucous membrane lesions through toxins. Increase of urea and creatinine in the blood plasma of broiler chickens by combined effect of ochratoxin A and deoxynivalenol is a result of disorder of renal excretory function due to exposure to toxins.

RNA-Seq analysis implicates detoxification pathways in ovine mycotoxin resistance.

Mycotoxin induced hepatoxocity has been linked to oxidative stress, resulting from either an increase in levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) above normal levels and/or the suppression of antioxidant protective pathways. However, few detailed molecular studies of mycotoxicoses in animals have been carried out. This study use current RNA-seq based approaches to investigate the effects of mycotoxin exposure in a ruminant model. Having first assembled a de novo reference transcriptome, we use RNA-Seq technology to define in vivo hepatic gene expression changes resulting from mycotoxin exposure in relationship to pathological effect. As expected, characteristic oxidative stress related gene expression is markedly different in animals exhibiting poorer outcomes. However, expression of multiple genes critical for detoxification, particularly members of the cytochrome P450 gene family, was significantly higher in animals exhibiting mycotoxin tolerance (‘resistance’). Further, we present novel evidence for the amplification of Wnt signalling pathway activity in ‘resistant’ animals, resulting from the marked suppression of multiple key Wnt inhibitor genes. Notably, ‘resistance’ may be determined primarily by the ability of an individual to detoxify secondary metabolites generated by the metabolism of mycotoxins and the potentiation of Wnt signalling may be pivotal to achieving a favourable outcome upon challenge.

Resistance in Maize Inbred Lines to Fusarium verticillioides and Fumonisin Accumulation in South Africa.

Fusarium ear rot of maize, caused by Fusarium verticillioides, is an important disease affecting maize production worldwide. Apart from reducing yield and grain quality, F. verticillioides produces fumonisins which have been associated with mycotoxicoses of animals and humans. Currently, no maize breeding lines are known with resistance to F. verticillioides in South Africa. The objective of this study, therefore, was to evaluate 24 genetically diverse maize inbred lines as potential sources of resistance to Fusarium ear rot and fumonisin accumulation in field trials at Potchefstroom and Vaalharts in South Africa. After artificial silk channel inoculation with F. verticillioides, Fusarium ear rot development was determined at harvest and fumonisins B1, B2, and B3 quantified. A significant inbred line by location effect was observed for Fusarium ear rot severity (P ≤ 0.001), although certain lines proved to be consistently resistant across both locations. The individual inbred lines also differed considerably in fumonisin accumulation between Potchefstroom and Vaalharts, with differentiation between susceptible and potentially resistant inbred lines only being possible at Vaalharts. A greenhouse inoculation trial was then also performed on a subset of potentially resistant and highly susceptible lines. The inbred lines CML 390, CML 444, CML 182, VO 617Y-2, and RO 549 W consistently showed a low Fusarium ear rot (<5%) incidence at both Potchefstroom and Vaalharts and in the greenhouse. Two of these inbred lines, CML 390 and CML 444, accumulated fumonisin levels <5 mg kg-1. These lines could potentially act as sources of resistance for use within a maize breeding program.

Efficacy of detoxification of deoxynivalenol-contaminated corn by Bacillus sp. LS100 in reducing the adverse effects of the mycotoxin on swine growth performance

Biodetoxification of mycotoxins is a novel strategy to control mycotoxicoses in animals. Bacillus sp. LS100, which transforms deoxynivalenol (DON) to a less toxic chemical de-epoxy DON (DOM-1), was evaluated for its efficacy in reducing the adverse effects of DON on swine growth performance. A feeding trial was conducted in growing pigs with four treatments: (1) corn meal without detectable DON served as control (Non-toxic Corn); (2) Fusarium-infected corn giving a toxic diet containing 5 µg DON g−1 (Toxic Corn); (3) Toxic Corn detoxified with Bacillus sp. LS100 giving a detoxified diet containing 5 µg DOM-1 g−1 (LS100-De-toxic Corn); (4) Non-toxic Corn treated with Bacillus sp. LS100 serving as bacterial control (LS100-Non-toxic Corn). During 9 days of exposure to the treatments, pigs on Toxic Corn showed a significant reduction in daily feed consumption, daily weight gain and feed efficiency by 29, 48 and 29%, respectively, compared to pigs on Non-toxic Corn. These parameters of the pigs fed LS100-De-toxic Corn diet were 45, 82 and 32% greater, respectively, than those of pigs fed Toxic Corn diet, and were similar to those pigs fed Non-toxic Corn and LS100-Non-toxic Corn diets. There were no significant differences between the treatments of LS100-Non-toxic Corn and Non-toxic Corn diets, implying that the bacterial isolate might not have significantly affected nutrition and palatability of the feed or had negative effects on the pig's feeding performance. The results have proved that microbial detoxification of DON in contaminated feed can eliminate negative effects of the mycotoxin, and the pre-feeding detoxification approach may be applied in the livestock industry.