Every year mycotoxins affect feed and raw materials used in animal nutrition. Once ingested these secondary metabolites produced by toxigenic fungi have harmful effects for the animals so their presence has a great economic impact on farms.

There are several types of mycotoxins and different factors can favour its proliferation such as the origin of the grain, weather conditions and feed preservation.

Samples analysed by Global Vet’s Lab during last semester of 2021 showed high contamination by aflatoxins and fumonisins in Africa; in Latin America there is a notable presence of fumonisins and deoxynivalenol; and, in Europe, contamination by zearalenone, aflatoxins and ochratoxins was found.

In general, cross-contamination has been detected in most of the samples analysed. That is a proof that most of the grains and feed have been contaminated by more than one mycotoxin, simultaneously.

Causes and impact of mycotoxins in animal feed

Weather conditions are related with the increase of mycotoxin in raw materials and feed. For example, prolonged droughts across the old continent have affected crops of these grains. Thus, the reproduction of fungi has increased under certain conditions that favor the appearance of mycotoxins.

The presence of these toxic metabolites in animal feed is related to multiple diseases in poultry and pigs that affect their reproduction, performance, and production. On the other hand, they are considered prohibited contaminants in milk, so ruminants should not consume feed contaminated with mycotoxins.

Prevention of mycotoxins in raw materials with Silicoglycidol

The use of mycotoxin binders is one of the best solutions to reduce the impact of mycotoxins in the animals.

Alquerfeed Antitox, product developed by Biovet S.A., is based in the patented molecule Silicoglycidol. This mycotoxin binder has a broad spectrum of action and protect the animals against all the fungal toxins present in feed.

Siliccoglycidol binds mycotoxins by forming stable bonds with them, so that they do not irritate or are absorbed at the gastrointestinal tract.

In addition, the product has a high selectivity for mycotoxins, so it does not affect other molecules such as vitamins, enzymes, amino acids or drugs.

In vitro and field trials have showed that it can bind up to 84,5% of the DON mycotoxin, 80% of fumonisn B1 and 74,2% of zearalenone. In this way, Alquerfeed Antitox is a key tool for the control of mycotoxins that can contaminate feed for animal production.

Additionally, in 2020 Biovet S.A. obtained the ECO certification for Alquerfeed Antitox so it is available for organic manufacturing.