Mycotoxin Adsorbent Research Articles

Productivity of young pigs in rearing when the use of feed additives ActivSorbent and PolyActiv as feed adsorbents of mycotoxins

Intensification of pig farming is directly related to the need to provide pig-producing farms with their own feed. Modern conditions of industrial pig farming impose increased requirements on the organization of complete feeding of pigs based on the use of high-quality feed, feed and biologically active additives. The purpose of the research was to study the productivity of young pigs during rearing when use feed additives ActiveSorben and PolyActive adsorbents of mycotoxins in feed. Research to identify the optimal dosage of mycotoxin adsorbents of feed ActiveSorbent and PolyActive and their effect on the metabolism and productive indicators of young pigs was carried out on fi rst-generation hybrid piglets (Large White × Landrace) during rearing, in the production conditions of the pig-breeding complex of Tavla LLC in the Kochkurovsky district of the Republic of Mordovia with a capacity of 12,000 heads per year. It has been found according to the results of industrial testing of the feed mycotoxin adsorbents ActiveSorbent and PolyActive that their use in doses of 1.750 kg/t of compound feed reduced the costs of producing 1 kg of live weight gain by 10.31 and 8.51 rubles, respectively. The level of profi tability in the experimental groups increased compared to the control group when using the additive ActiveSorbent by 18.93 abs.% and PolyActive by 15.24 abs.%. Thus, the inclusion of feed additives ActiveSorbent and PolyActive of feed mycotoxin adsorbents in the diet of rearing piglets under industrial pig farming conditions when recalculated for the resulting products contributes to increased productivity, reduced cost of production and an increase in the level of production profitability.

FATE OF MILK YIELD AND FERTILITY PARAMETERS IN HOLSTEIN DAIRY COWS SIMULTANEOUSLY EXPOSED TO ZEARALENONE, DEOXYNIVALENOL AND FUMONISIN B1 MYCOTOXICITY

This study was planned to investigate the effect of zearalenone (ZEA), deoxynivalenol (DON) and Fumonisin B1 (FB1) on blood metabolites, milk yield, estrous activity, pregnancy rate and uterine health in 486 heads of Holstein dairy cows. For this purpose, the data collected from the animals were divided into the four periods as follows: feeding with non-contaminated diet for 30 days (pre-contamination period), contaminated diet for 60 days (contamination period), contaminated diet supplemented with mycotoxin adsorbent for 30 days (adsorbent period) and the diet after removing the contaminated feedstuffs for 30 days (non-contamination period). Each feedstuff was analysed in contamination period and at the beginning of the non-contamination period to determine the presence or absence of ZEA, DON and FB1 in the diet. The blood metabolic profile was assessed in 21 animals in 1-10 days in milk, selected through cluster random sampling method while milk yield, estrous activity, pregnancy rate and prevalence of metritis/endometritis were compared among all four periods. The milk yield (P≤0.001) and milk fat (P≤0.05) in the contaminated period were low as compared to other periods. The concentrations of beta-hydroxybutyric acid (p≤0.001), non-esterified fatty acids (P≤0.05), gamma-glutamyl transferase (P≤0.05), and blood urea nitrogen (P≤0.001) parameters were significantly higher, while the glucose (P≤0.001) and triglycerides (P≤0.05) were lower in the contamination period, as compared to adsorbent and non-contamination periods. The pregnancy rate through artificial insemination decreased significantly during the contamination period (P≤0.05) as compared to pre-contamination period. The overall pregnancy rate in the pre-contamination period was also significantly decreased as compared to the adsorbent and non-contamination periods (P≤0.001). The percentage of type III anestrus were significantly lower during the non-contamination period (P≤0.05). The percentages of cows with metritis during the non-contamination period was significantly lower (p≤0.05) as compared to the contamination period. It was concluded that the routine feed analysis was necessary to determine the presence of ZEA, DON and FB1. Moreover, mycotoxin binder supplementation and/or removing contaminated feedstuffs from the diet under mycotoxicosis conditions may prevent the severe negative energy balance and improve the milk yield and fertility parameters. Keywords: DON, ZEA, Fuminosins, Metabolic Parameters, Milk Yield, Fertility, Holstein

Efficiency of the complex mycotoxin adsorbent "Galluasorb" in combined mycotoxicosis of pigs

The paper presents the results of studying the efficiency of the method for preventing T-2, afla-, DON- and zearalenone toxicosis in pigs using the complex mycotoxin adsorbent “Galluasorb”. It is shown that as a result of including “Galluasorb” in pig feed, naturally contaminated with four mycotoxins at once, at the rate of 2.5 kg per ton of feed, a protective effect was observed, which was expressed in an increase in weight gain, feed consumption, a decrease in its conversion, normalization of the clinical status and morpho-biochemical blood parameters. Thus, on the 30th day of the experiment, the absolute increase in live weight in piglets receiving the main diet with mycotoxins with the addition of “Galluasorb” was 13.7 kg, while in piglets of the toxic control group - 11.8 kg. The average daily live weight gain per animal in the same groups was 456.7 g and 393.3 g, respectively. In the toxic control group, feed consumption was reduced by 7.4% compared to the group of animals receiving the main diet with mycotoxins with the addition of “Galluasorb”. A decrease in the feed conversion ratio was also noted in the preventive group. Thus, the use of the complex adsorbent had a protective effect in the natural contamination of feed in the T-2 farm with toxin, aflatoxin, DON and zearalenone. The developed adsorbent also opens up prospects for the use of the natural mineral halloysite in combination with an antioxidant, hepatoprotector and organic sorbent in pig farming.

Effects of feeding mycotoxin-contaminated diets and the use of an adsorbent on the intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation, nitrogen balance and physiological parameters in the blood of Nellore steers

The study objective was to investigate the effects of mycotoxin contaminated diets and the use of an adsorbent (yeast cell wall extract; YCWE) on the intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation, nitrogen balance and physiological parameters in the blood of Nellore steers. Eight rumen-cannulated Nellore steers (initial BW = 417 ± 42 kg) were used in a 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design. A 2 × 2 factorial treatment structure was used to investigate the effects of mycotoxin contamination of the diet, the use of a mycotoxin adsorbent and their interactions. The dietary contamination consisted of: (1) diet without mycotoxins (CTRL), and (2) control diet added mycotoxins (MYCOT). The second factor was: (1) absence (YCWE–) or (2) presence (YCWE+) of YCWE. Mycotoxin contamination negatively affected dry matter intake during the first week of treatment application (P = 0.05) and tended to lower intake during the sampling period (P = 0.08). MYCOT resulted in lower (P = 0.03) digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and tended to lower (P = 0.08) ruminal pH compared with CTRL. There was MYCOT × YCWE interaction on the proportion of isovalerate (P < 0.01) and trend on the proportion of valerate (P = 0.08) in the rumen. There was also an effect of MYCOT (P = 0.04) and a trend of YCWE (P = 0.10) on the proportion of isobutyrate. Animals received MYCOT treatments had higher N excretion in the urine (P = 0.01), and consequently lower N retention (P = 0.05). There was MYCOT × YCWE interaction effect (P = 0.04) on the serum glucose concentration, where the MYCOT YCWE– treatment had a higher glucose concentration than the CTRL YCWE–, and the use of YCWE in MYCOT diet resulted in a concentration similar to CTRL treatments. The use of YCWE resulted in higher (P = 0.03) serum concentration of total proteins and lower (P < 0.01) proportion of ceruloplasmin. Animals fed mycotoxins had a lower (P < 0.01) proportion of IgA. MYCOT × YCWE effects (P < 0.01) on hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit were observed, where MYCOT had lower concentrations than the control and the use of YCWE in the contaminated diet resulted in values similar to CTRL. Animals fed mycotoxins tended to have lower (P = 0.08) number of lymphocytes and had lower (P = 0.02) lymphocytes: neutrophils ratios. This study suggests that mycotoxins may have negative impacts on certain physiological parameters that can influence health and performance of beef cattle, and the use of YCWE can mitigate some of these negative changes.

Dietary Effects of Mycotoxins Adsorbents Mycostop Premium® and Mycostop Duplo® on Piglets Productive Performance and Blood Serum Enzyme Activities

This study aimed to investigate the dietary effects of mycotoxin adsorbents Mycostop Premium® and Mycostop Duplo® on piglets' productive performance and serum enzyme activities. A total of 100 weaned piglets (28 days old) were randomly assigned to five dietary treatment groups (20 piglets in each group) for a duration of 42 days. The dietary treatments included: control group C with no mycotoxin adsorbent; group E1 supplemented with Mycostop Premium® adsorbent in amount of 1kg/t of feed; group E2 supplemented with Mycostop Premium® adsorbent in amount of 2.5kg/t of feed; group E3 supplemented with Mycostop Duplo® adsorbent in amount of 1kg/t of feed; and group E4 supplemented with Mycostop Duplo® adsorbent in amount of 2.5kg/t of feed. All diets were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous. The results revealed significant improvements in productive performance parameters, including average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR), in piglets fed diets containing mycotoxin adsorbents. Serum enzyme activities were also assessed to gauge the impact of mycotoxin adsorbents on piglets' health. The activities of liver enzymes aspartate transaminase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and gut health-related enzymes (amylase and lipase) were evaluated. Piglets consuming diets supplemented with mycotoxin adsorbents exhibited a reduction in the activities of liver enzymes, indicating lower hepatic stress, and an enhancement in the activity of gut health-related enzymes, reflecting improved nutrient digestion and absorption. In conclusion, the inclusion of mycotoxin adsorbents in piglet diets resulted in significant improvements in productive performance and serum enzyme activities.

Mycotoxins Adsorbents in Food Animal Production

Mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced by molds, pose a significant threat to food animal production, as they can lead to adverse health effects, reduced productivity, and economic losses. In response to this challenge, mycotoxin adsorbents have emerged as a promising solution to mitigate the harmful effects of mycotoxins in livestock. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the positive influence of mycotoxin adsorbents in food animal production. The review discusses the mechanisms by which mycotoxin adsorbents function, including adsorption, binding, and inactivation of mycotoxins. Various types of mycotoxin adsorbents are explored, encompassing natural adsorbents such as clays, zeolites, and activated carbons, as well as synthetic polymers. The influence of mycotoxin adsorbents on the immune system, gut health, and overall well-being of food animals is examined. Furthermore, the review delves into the challenges and limitations associated with mycotoxin adsorbents, including variability in mycotoxin contamination, dosage, and timing of administration. Strategies for optimizing their use, such as mycotoxin monitoring and mycotoxin binder selection, are discussed to ensure maximum effectiveness. In conclusion, the positive influence of mycotoxin adsorbents in food animal production cannot be understated. By offering a proactive and cost-effective means of mycotoxin management, mycotoxin adsorbents play a pivotal role in safeguarding animal health and the economic viability of livestock operations. This review underscores the significance of mycotoxin adsorbents as essential tools in ensuring the safety and productivity of food animal production systems.

Ameliorative Effects of Luteolin and Activated Charcoal on Growth Performance, Immunity Function, and Antioxidant Capacity in Broiler Chickens Exposed to Deoxynivalenol.

Deoxynivalenol (DON, Vomitoxin) is a threatening mycotoxin that mainly produces oxidative stress and leads to hepatotoxicity in poultry. Antioxidant dietary supplements dramatically boost immunity, safeguarding animals from DON poisoning. Luteolin (LUT) is an active plant-derived compound that poses influential antioxidants. This study explored the effectiveness of LUT in combination with activated charcoal (AC) in detoxifying DON in broilers. The 180 one-day broiler chickens were allocated into five different groups having six replicates in each group, provided with ad libitum feed during the trial period (28 days) as follows: in the control group, basal diet (feed with no supplementation of LUT, AC or DON); in group 2, a basal diet added with 10 mg/kg DON from contaminated culture (DON); in group 3, a basal diet augmented by 350 mg/kg LUT and DON 10 mg/kg (DON + LUT); in group 4, a basal diet supplemented by DON 10 mg/kg + AC 200 mg/kg (DON + AC); and in group 5, a basal diet supplemented by 10 mg/kg DON + 350 mg/kg LUT + 200 mg/kg AC (DON + LUT + AC). Concerning the control group, the DON-treated broilers demonstrated a significant decrease in growth performance (p < 0.05) and serum immunoglobulin (p < 0.05) contents, negatively changing the serum biochemical contents and enzymatic activities and an increase in histopathological liver lesions. Furthermore, DON substantially increased (p < 0.05) malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and decreased total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels in the serum and liver. The intake of AC and LUT to the DON-contaminated diet decreased DON residue in the liver and potentially reduced the adverse effects of DON. Considering the results, supplementation of LUT with mycotoxin adsorbent has protective effects against mycotoxicosis caused by DON. It could be helpful for the development of novel treatments to combat liver diseases in poultry birds. Our findings may provide important information for applying LUT and AC in poultry production.

Mycosorb A+® as a mycotoxin adsorbent in the diet on health and production in guinea pigs

Los alimentos destinados a los animales están contaminados por hongos filamentosos que producen micotoxinas. El estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto de Mycosorb A+® como adsorbente de micotoxinas en la dieta sobre la salud, producción y beneficio económico de cuyes en crianza comercial. Se utilizaron 80 cuyes en crecimiento de la raza Perú, entre machos y hembras, con un peso de 435,5 ± 35,5 gramos (g), distribuidos al azar en dos grupos de alimentación: dieta con Mycosorb A+® (experimental) y dieta sin Mycosorb A+® (control), realizado en el distrito de Ilabaya-Tacna, Perú, a 1.425 metros de altitud, durante 57 días. La dieta se elaboró con heno molido de alfalfa, maíz amarillo, afrecho de trigo, torta de soya, harina integral de soya y fuentes de minerales y vitaminas, ofrecida para consumo ad libitum, más 12,5 g·día-1 de alfalfa fresca (H° 78 %) por cuy. Los resultados indican que todas las variables evaluadas, excepto el consumo de materia seca, fueron significativas (P&lt;0,05): morbilidad 2,5 vs. 35,0 %; consumo de materia seca, 59,8 ± 2,1 vs. 58,0 ± 2,4 g·día-1; ganancia de peso vivo, 9,7 ± 1,4 vs. 7,8 ± 0,9 g·día-1; conversión alimenticia, 6,3 ± 0,9 vs. 7,5 ± 0,6; y relación beneficio-costo, 1,52 vs. 1,35, respectivamente. Se concluye que la inclusión de Mycosorb A+® como adsorbente de micotoxinas en la dieta tiene efecto positivo en la salud, producción y beneficio económico en la crianza comercial de cuyes.

Mycotoxin Adsorbent Improves the Performance and Health of Broilers Challenged Simultaneously with Aflatoxins and Fumonisins

Mycotoxin Adsorbent Improves the Performance and Health of Broilers Challenged Simultaneously with Aflatoxins and Fumonisins

Removal of Aflatoxin B1 and Zearalenone in Mixed Aqueous Solution by Palygorskite-Montmorillonite Materials In Situ Prepared from Palygorskite Mineral.

In view of the animal feeds inevitably contaminated by multiple mycotoxins, eco-friendly and efficient palygorskite-montmorillonite (Pal-Mt) materials were prepared to remove polar aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and weak polar zearalenone (ZEN) from mixed mycotoxins aqueous solution. The adsorption properties and bonding mechanisms between Pal-Mt materials and mycotoxins (AFB1 and ZEN) were investigated systematically. The as-prepared Pal-Mt showed excellent adsorption capacity for AFB1 and ZEN in single- and binary-mycotoxin systems, indicating the effectiveness of Pal-Mt acting as multiple mycotoxin adsorbents. The kinetics of adsorption for ZEN was fast due to the adsorption on the external surface (film and intraparticle diffusion), while AFB1 molecules permeated into mesopores after the external adsorption for the more planar structure. Adsorption isotherms demonstrated that heterogeneous surface adsorption appeared between Pal-Mt and AFB1, and monolayer adsorption occurred on Pal-Mt and ZEN for different polarities of mycotoxins. Thermodynamic parameters illustrated that the adsorption process of both AFB1 and ZEN onto Pal-Mt was spontaneous and endothermic. The adsorption mechanism studies suggested that hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attraction, calcium bridging linkage, and ion-dipole played fundamental roles in the interaction between Pal-Mt and these two mycotoxins.

Comparative Assessment of Different Yeast Cell Wall-Based Mycotoxin Adsorbents Using a Model- and Bioassay-Based In Vitro Approach.

Frequently reported occurrences of deoxynivalenol (DON), beauvericin (BEA), and, to a lesser extent, ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CIT) in ruminant feed or feedstuff could represent a significant concern regarding feed safety, animal health, and productivity. Inclusion of yeast cell wall-based mycotoxin adsorbents in animal feeds has been a common strategy to mitigate adverse effects of mycotoxins. In the present study, an in vitro approach combining adsorption isotherm models and bioassays was designed to assess the efficacy of yeast cell wall (YCW), yeast cell wall extract (YCWE), and a postbiotic yeast cell wall-based blend (PYCW) products at the inclusion rate of 0.5% (w/v) (ratio of adsorbent mass to buffer solution volume). The Hill's adsorption isotherm model was found to best describe the adsorption processes of DON, BEA, and CIT. Calculated binding potential for YCW and YCWE using the Hill's model exhibited the same ranking for mycotoxin adsorption, indicating that BEA had the highest adsorption rate, followed by DON and CIT, which was the least adsorbed. PYCW had the highest binding potential for BEA compared with YCW and YCWE. In contrast, the Freundlich isotherm model presented a good fit for OTA adsorption by all adsorbents and CIT adsorption by PYCW. Results indicated that YCW was the most efficacious for sequestering OTA, whereas YCWE was the least efficacious. PYCW showed greater efficacy at adsorbing OTA than CIT. All adsorbents exhibited high adsorption efficacy for BEA, with an overall percentage average of bound mycotoxin exceeding 60%, whereas moderate efficacies for the other mycotoxins were observed (up to 37%). Differences in adsorbent efficacy of each adsorbent significantly varied according to experimental concentrations tested for each given mycotoxin (p < 0.05). The cell viability results from the bioassay using a bovine mammary epithelial cell line (MAC-T) indicated that all tested adsorbents could potentially mitigate mycotoxin-related damage to bovine mammary epithelium. Results from our studies suggested that all tested adsorbents had the capacity to adsorb selected mycotoxins in vitro, which could support their use to mitigate their effects in vivo.

Influence of different dosages of feed additive "AktivSorbent" in the diets of piglets on the morphological and biochemical status of blood

The article presents data from experimental studies on the effect of new feed additives of mycotoxin adsorbents "AktivSorbent" in the diets of growing piglets on hematological parameters. It has been established that the use of feed additives "AktivSorbent" in the feeding of young pigs on rearing at a dose of 1.750 kg / t of compound feed improves the morphological and biochemical parameters of blood.

ASSESSMENT OF MYCOTOXIN CONTAMINATION OF COMPOUND FEED AND ITS COMPONENTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS

Mycotoxins, being secondary metabolites of mold, represent a serious food safety problem, cause intoxication in animals and reduce their productivity. In this regard, it is necessary to know the toxicity and biotransformation of mycotoxins in different&#x0D; species of animals and humans in order to prevent the possibility of infection as well as their inactivation or harm reduction when morbidity is unavoidable. The article contains the results of studying the degree of mycotoxin contamination of feed and&#x0D; compound feed raw materials in the Republic of Belarus for the period 2011-2021. Materials for the study were 11089 samples of compound feed and its components. The results of studying the quality of cereal crops, soybean, sunflower and rapeseed&#x0D; meals and cakes, bran and fodder in total for mycotoxin content in dynamics over the last decade prove the necessity to use mycotoxin adsorbents in compound feed.

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&#x0D; 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,&#x0D; 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.

THE EFFECT OF A NEW COMPLEX SORBENT OF MYCOTOXINS IN PIGS DIETS ON THEIR GROWTH PERFORMANCE, FATTENING AND MEAT TRAITS

Compliance with feed safety in livestock production requires pork producers to add mycotoxin-binding adsorbents to pig diets. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of two complex sorbents added to the diet of fattening pigs on their performance. The experiment included 90 pigs, which were kept in LLC “Tavriyski svyni” in the Kherson region. According to the principle of analogues, experimental animals were divided into three groups of 30 animals each: I – the control group of pigs consumed the basic diet “Grower”, and “Finisher”; pigs of experimental group II consumed the basic diet “Grower”, “Finisher” with the addition of 0.15% by weight of feed of a commercial analogue of mycotoxin adsorbent; animals of experimental group III received the basic diet “Grower”, “Finisher” with the addition of 0.15% by weight of feed of the complex preparation “Hepasorbex”. Animals that consumed feed containing adsorbents of mycotoxins had a higher live body weight, and average daily weight gain, reaching weights of 100 and 120 kg with lower feed conversion earlier compared to analogues of a control group. It was found that the introduction of “Gepasorbex” in the diet of store pigs of experimental group III at a pre-slaughter weight of 100 and 120 kg resulted in an increase in: slaughter yield, half-carcass length, muscle eye area, the weight of the hind third of the half-carcass and a decrease in the thickness of the fat compared to the control group. In terms of chemical composition, the meat of animals of experimental groups, both at slaughter in 100 kg and in 120 kg, met the requirements for pork of normal quality (NORMAL). At a live weight of 100 and 120 kg, pigs of experimental group III had significantly lower moisture content, higher protein, fat and ash content in meat. Due to the complex composition of “Gepasorbex” ingredients, the nutrients in the feed remained and were absorbed by the pig’s body, which is confirmed by higher productivity indicators and significantly reduces the cost of the main expense item of pig farms in pig production technologies – “Feed”. Therefore, this research is useful for specialists in pork production and processing in developing strategies for feeding pigs and obtaining quality raw materials for processing enterprises, which opens up ways to ensure food security in the country

Silage mycotoxins

The silage process consists of preserving green forage. However, errors in operations during harvesting, or even at the opening of the silo, can result in colonization of fungi and production of mycotoxins. Therefore, it is important to develop strategies to mitigate the negative effects of mycotoxins in the feeding of dairy cows. The objective was to review the literature on the contamination of silage by mycotoxins, including predisposing factors for contamination and ways of prevention and mitigation. The main environmental conditions that favor mycotoxin synthesis are temperature, pH and water activity. In addition, factors linked to the operation, such as delayed harvesting, delays in sealing the silo, the density of compaction or the use of damaged seals also favor fungal growth. The control of these processes in silage aims to avoid contamination by toxinogenic fungi. However, current control strategies are not entirely effective. Some safe and relatively economical measures are the use of mycotoxin adsorbents or bacterial inoculants, which can be used to reduce the absorption of mycotoxins in the gastrointestinal tract.

Effect of a new complex mycotoxin adsorbent on growth performance, and serum levels of retinol, tocopherol and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in pigs fed on mycotoxin-contaminated feed

Effect of a new complex mycotoxin adsorbent on growth performance, and serum levels of retinol, tocopherol and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in pigs fed on mycotoxin-contaminated feed

Protective effect of a new generation of activated and purified bentonite in combination with yeast and phytogenic substances on mycotoxin challenge in pigs.

The study aimed to investigate the efficacy of new mycotoxin adsorbents based on purified and activated bentonites combined with yeast and phytogenic compounds in fattening pigs. The experiment involved 96 pigs (31.2±2.4 kg). Control (C) group was fed a diet naturally contaminated with mycotoxins (5 mg/kg deoxynivalenol, DON) without an adsorbent. Treated groups received the feed with mycotoxin adsorbents: purified and activated bentonite (T1), purified and activated bentonite, yeast derivatives, phytogenic substances (T2), and purified, activated, and sulphurated bentonite with phytogenic substances (T3). Evaluated parameters involved growth performance, organ weight, small intestine and liver histopathology, complete blood count, serum biochemistry, antioxidant status of the organism and total and free DON content in urine. In all treated groups, an significant increase in intestinal GSH and GSH/GSSG ratio was observed when compared to C. No significant effects on liver and kidney weight, complete blood count, serum or intestinal malondialdehyde concentration, or total/free DON content in urine were observed. All adsorbents improved histopathological findings in the liver when compared to C. Moreover, T1, and T2 groups showed no presence of inflammatory reaction or necrotic changes in the livers. Although, mycotoxin adsorbents investigated in this study had no significant impact on pig growth performance, they reduced the oxidative stress, and on the tissue level they protected the jejunal tissue and liver parenchyma under deoxynivalenol challenge.

In-situ preparation of palygorskite-montmorillonite materials from palygorskite mineral via hydrothermal process for high-efficient adsorption of aflatoxin B1

Due to the threats of mycotoxin-contaminated animal feeds to livestock farming, food safety and human health, Palygorskite-Montmorillonite (Pal-Mt) materials with different functional groups and microstructures have been studied as an effective mycotoxin adsorbent. In this study, Pal-Mt materials were controllably regulated from Pal mineral via hydrothermal process by adjusting the hydrothermal temperature. Along with the increase of hydrothermal temperature, the microstructure of Pal showed a gradual transformation from fiber to layer, which led to a fiber-layered structure. Batch aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) adsorption experiments were conducted at different conversion rates of Pal. The optimized Pal-Mt with 50% conversion of Pal exhibited satisfactory adsorption capacity of 13.17 mg/g and removal rate of 95.65% and 91.33% (only 33.09% and 26.27% for Pal) from 2 mg/L of AFB1 phosphate buffer solution at pH 3.5 and 6.5, respectively. The increasing adsorption capacity was mainly attributed to the synergistic effect of cations in the interlayer of Mt and the high specific area of Pal, resulting in a larger proportion of available adsorption sites (e.g., Ca2+, –OH), which favored bonding with AFB1 molecules. This work provides a new material regulated from abundant Pal mineral, which is effective and promising for adsorption of AFB1.

Efficacy of a Modified Clinoptilolite Based Adsorbent in Reducing Detrimental Effects of Ochratoxin A in Laying Hens.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of modified clinoptilolite (Minazel Plus®, MZ) as a mycotoxin adsorbent for preventing the negative the effects of ochratoxin A (OTA) on performance, pathohistological changes, and OTA residue in the eggs of laying hens. Methods: Forty eight (n = 48) laying hens (27 weeks old) were equally divided into six groups and depending on the type of addition were allocated to the following experimental treatments for 7 weeks: E-I group-1 mg/kg OTA; E-II group 0.25 mg/kg OTA; E-III group 1 mg/kg OTA + 0.2% of MZ; E-IV group 0.25 mg/kg OTA + 0.2% of MZ; MZ group supplemented with 0.2% of the adsorbent; and control (K, without feed additive). Results: Overall, the addition of 0.2% MZ to laying hen feed mitigated the harmful effects of OTA on target organs and reduced the presence of OTA residue in eggs. The groups that received 0.2% of MZ achieved better production results in terms of body weight, number of eggs, and feed consumption, compared to the other treatments. Conclusions: The current findings confirm the efficacy of MZ in preventing performance losses in laying hens exposed to OTA, as well as for improving the welfare and health of food producing animals.