Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxins produced by fungi. They reside in organic matter, commonly food. These toxins can result in severe illnesses and is considered a serious sanitation concern. However, the scope of caution does not only cover human food but also animal feed. Especially since our food systems rely on livestock, animals are just as vulnerable to these toxins.

There are many types of mycotoxins that tend to attack different species of animals and reside in their foods. Horses are susceptible to the life-threatening fumonisins produced by F. proliferatum, Fusarium verticillioides, and other Fusarium fungal species, usually found in their corn or maize. Pigs are threatened by zearalenone, deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin), ochratoxin, fumonisin, T-2 toxin, and ergot. In one study, a laboratory examined 60 dog food samples for 11 diverse mycotoxins. At least one of four Fusarium mycotoxins occurred in each of four brands of dry grain foods. Similarly, a study that examined 64 extruded cat foods from Italy, found the following mycotoxins: deoxynivalenol, fumonisin B1 and B2, ochratoxin A, aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2, zearalenone, T-2 and HT-2 toxins.

With the issue being so widespread, technology innovations have introduced a new generation of tests that are simpler to perform and safer to use. These tests, available at Haes Bros, utilize a water base solvent, replacing the ethanol or methanol solvents used by its predecessors. This eradicates the need for shipping, handling, and getting rid of dangerous materials, allowing full focus testing for mycotoxins: aflatoxin, deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisin, and zearalenone.

Original Article :https://www.charm.com/mycotoxins-in-animal-feed/