Some fungi, zearalenone and other mycotoxins in chicken rations, stock feedstuffs, lucerne and pasture grasses in the communal farming area of Rhenosterkop in South Africa

Mycotoxins may be present in feeds without any visible signs of mould contamination. There is a need for rapid and accurate measurement of mycotoxins for purposes of continual monitoring and identification of high risk commodities. Samples from commercial chicken feed (maize kernels), cattle feed (lucerne, grass and hay) and milk were analysed for the presence of certain mycotoxins and cultured for fungi. Results of fungal profiles showed that most samples were contaminated by moulds belonging to the genera, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Mucor, Phoma and Rhizopus. All the chicken feed samples tested contained mycotoxins either below the recommended safe levels for poultry or below the detection limits of the ELISA tests. However, samples of grass contained levels of zearalenone greater than the allowable concentration for dairy and beef cattle (250 ppm), which may be linked to the presence of Fusarium scirpi identified in the fungal profiles. The levels of AFMI were below the detection limits of the ELISA tests, which may be attributed to the low levels of aflatoxins found in the feed (grass) samples. The presence of the fungus in samples analysed is not evidence for the presence of mycotoxins.     

A comparative study of feeding behavior and digestive function in dairy goats, wool sheep and hair sheep

An intake and digestibility study was conducted with three groups (six animals per group) of yearling wether dairy goats (four Toggenburg, two Alpine), wool sheep (Targhee X Dorset) and hair sheep (St. Croix). Body weight (BW) ranged from 42 to 52 kg, averaging 47 kg. All animals were penned individually and given ad libitum access to a mixture of alfalfa-smooth bromegrass hay in pelleted, chopped or long form. Each group contained three ruminally cannulated animals. There were no apparent differences in the composition of feed consumed among goats, wool sheep and hair sheep, and no significant animal type X forage form interactions for any of the variables evaluated. Significant differences were observed in dry matter intake (DMI) between wool sheep, hair sheep and goats: 3.17%, 2.66% and 2.23% of BW, respectively (P less than .05). Daily water intake (WI) was greatest for wool sheep (P less than .05), but not different between hair sheep and goats. Total digestibility of dry matter (DM) and all fiber fractions were similar among animal types. For the cannulated animals, ruminal content weight and total ruminal volume were greatest for wool sheep (P less than .05). Ruminal acid detergent lignin (ADL) turnover was greater in wool and hair sheep than goats (P less than .05), but no differences were apparent for dry matter or neutral detergent fiber (NDF) turnover. For all animals, DMI, DMI/BW, digestible DMI and WI were greater for pelleted than chopped and long hay (P less than .05). Total ruminal volume, contents weight (on an absolute or BW basis) and fluid volume were lower in the cannulated animals consuming pelleted hay (P less than .05). Ruminal DM turnover rate was faster on pelleted than long hay, while DM turnover rate on chopped hay was intermediate. Turnover of ADL was faster on pelleted than chopped or long hay (P less than .05), but there were no differences among forage forms in NDF turnover rate. Fluid turnover rate was faster on pelleted and chopped than on long hay (P less than .05). Under the conditions of this study, no apparent differences were observed among animal types in the nutrient composition of feed consumed, ruminal or total tract digestibilities or rate of passage for dry matter. However, feeding behavior or selectivity differences under natural grazing conditions may deviate from what has been observed in confinement.     

Mycotoxins in animal feedstuffs and tissues in Western Canada 1975 to 1979.

Results of analyses of specimens of plant or animal origin for various mycotoxins are presented. Analyses for aflatoxins, ochratoxins and zearalenone were most frequently requested. Aflatoxin B1 was found in one of 474 specimens at a level of 60 ppb in a sample of hay. Ochratoxin A was detected in four of 148 specimens of grains and two of 19 specimens of corn at levels up to 500 ppb. Trichothecenes were qualitatively found in two of 108 specimens of forage, three of 182 specimens of feeds and one of 148 specimens of grains. Ergot was detected qualitatively in three specimens of rye and one of forage. An overall detection rate of 3.8% of potent mycotoxins suggests that acute or chronic mycotoxicoses may occasionally occur in farm livestock or poultry.     

Vomitoxin and amino acid supplements in rat feed

In Finland grain has during some years contained considerable amounts of mycotoxins depending on the weather conditions, harvesting and preservation methods. The most common of these mycotoxins are Fusariumtoxins: zearalenone and trichotechenes. The trichotechene group is large, but only a few of the toxins are of practical interest in that they cause health disorders to farm animals. The most common toxin of the trichotechenes is deoksinivalenol or vomitoxin (DON), which causes, especially in pigs, vomiting and reduction in feed palatability.     

电化学生物传感器在真菌毒素检测中的研究进展

真菌毒素是真菌在食品或饲料中生长所产生的代谢产物,这些低分子质量化合物既是天然存在的,同时也是无法避免的。真菌通过两种途径进入食物链,一方面可以直接从受真菌毒素污染的植物性食品成分进入食物链;另一方面也可以通过食物中产毒真菌生长的间接污染进入食物链。真菌毒素广泛存在于成熟的玉米、谷物、大豆、高粱、花生和饲料作物中。食用受真菌毒素污染的食物或饲料会对人和动物造成急性或慢性毒性。真菌毒素除了有直接食用受霉菌毒素污染的食物和饲料造成的不良影响外,还有因为摄入动物源性食品,如肉类、牛奶或鸡蛋,含有真菌毒素的残留物或代谢物而引起的公众健康问题。目前虽然已经鉴定出超过400种真菌毒素,但食物中广泛存在的6种毒素：黄曲霉毒素、赭曲霉毒素、玉米赤霉烯酮、伏马菌素、呕吐毒素及T-2毒素,已在世界范围内引发了持续的食品安全问题。该论文总结了6种真菌毒素的毒性,重点分析了近年来电化学生物传感器在这几种真菌毒素检测中的研究进展,旨在通过一系列的总结分析去展望其在真菌毒素检测方面的发展前景。     

An investigation of the concentrations of selected Fusarium mycotoxins and the degree of mold contamination of field-dried hay

The levels of selected mycotoxins and mold contamination of Ontario field-dried hay from 10 performance horse farms were examined. The farm owner, trainer or manager was questioned regarding their opinion of the quality of the hay. Half of the hay sampled showed potentially significant levels of mycotoxins, mold and actinomycete contamination. Subjective opinion did not correlate to objective analysis. Deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin), T 2 toxin and zearalenone were measured with vomitoxin present in the highest amounts. Vomitoxin is among the mycotoxins most frequently found as contaminants in cereal crops, in temperate climates, in North America. It can be concluded that the levels found in this study could potentially have an influence on the health of horses consuming such hay.     

Endocrine alterations associated with ergopeptine alkaloid exposure during equine pregnancy.

Ergopeptine alkaloid exposure is common in pregnant mares. Many mares live in geographic areas where Neotyphodium coenophialum-infected tall fescue is the dominant grass in pastures and hay. A variety of grasses and cereal grains can be infected by Claviceps purpurea, and fungal sclerotia can contaminate forage and especially ground and pelleted feed. An understanding of the endocrine alterations associated with ergopeptine alkaloid exposure during pregnancy is necessary for the diagnosis of potential exposure to these compounds and for eective prophylaxis and therapy.     

Mycobiota and mycotoxins contamination in raw materials and finished feed intended for fattening pigs production in eastern Argentina

The aim of the present study was to determine the mycobiota and natural levels of mycotoxins such as zearalenone, fumonisin B₁, aflatoxin B₁ and ochratoxin A present in raw materials and finished fattening pig feed. Samples were examined for total fungi and genera distribution. Zearalenone, FB₁, AFB₁ and OTA contamination were determined using high pressure liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatography. Milled maize and finished feed samples showed fungal contamination over than 1 × 10⁴ CFU/g. All samples contained at least one of the main mycotoxigenic genera Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium. A. flavus and F. verticillioides were the most prevalent species. Only some Aspergillus section Nigri strains from suckling pig to growing pig samples were able to produce OTA. A. flavus strains from milled maize, wheat bran, suckling pig to growing pig samples were able to produce AFB₁. All samples were positive for FB₁. Sucking pig, piglet, growing and boar feed samples showed ZEA natural contamination. AFB₁ and OTA contamination were not detected. There was a 100% correlation between FB₁ and ZEA contamination in sucking pig, piglet, growing and boar feed samples; 50% piglet samples and 67% suckling pig samples showed ZEA levels over the recommended limits. The present study has shown the occurrence of two mycotoxins, FB₁ and ZEA in feed intended for fattening pig consumption. In animal production, the simultaneous presence of toxicogenic fungi and low dietary levels of mycotoxins in field conditions can cause possible health impacts and lost performance in pigs from feeding spoiled feeds.     

Mycotoxins in fungal contaminated samples of animal feed from western Canada, 1982-1994.

Feed samples from 94 cases involving fungal contamination and suspected mycotoxicosis of farm animals in western Canada were examined during 1982-1994 to assess the incidence of mycotoxins. Samples were analyzed for aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, citrinin, sterigmatocystin, and the fungal estrogen zearalenone. Samples infected with Fusarium fungi were additionally assayed for nivalenol, deoxynivalenol, fusarenone-x, 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, diacetoxyscirpenol, HT-2 toxin, and T-2 toxin. Mycotoxins were found in 21 feed samples from 17 cases (18% of the reported cases), generally at levels far below those needed to induce symptoms under laboratory conditions. HT-2 toxin and other type-A trichothecenes were detected in 5 samples, deoxynivalenol and other type-B trichothecenes in 13, ochratoxin A in 5, and citrinin in 2. In 9 cases, symptoms observed in the animals were consistent with the known effects of the mycotoxin(s) found in the particular feed samples.     

Mycotoxins as a risk factor for the origin of diseases and production decreases in swine facilities--an epidemiologic study]

Feed samples checked for the mycotoxins zearalenone and ochratoxin A from the harvest 1987 were positive at a markedly higher percentage (37.5%) compared to previous years, which is explained by the especially unfavourable harvesting conditions of 1987. In certain herd problems affecting the digestive or respiratory tract, mycotoxins could be detected with a much higher frequency (64.7% and 50.0% respectively). The mean level detected in feed samples by thin layer chromatography ranged within 30.3 ppb for zearalenone and within 58.3 ppb for ochratoxin A. In most cases there was a history of infertility. Considering the clinical situation, which is presented comparatively in herds with positive mycotoxin results, the possible involvement of mycotoxins in the disease, even at very low concentrations, is pointed out. In this context, zearalenone is incriminated of being an indicator of a multitoxic process besides its own direct effects. According to own experiences low levels of zearalenone in the range of 20-50 ppb in the feed have to be considered hazardous. If changing of pig feed in cases of herd problems will be recommended, a level of less than 10 ppb of zearalenone, especially in sow and piglet rations, should not be exceeded. Same may be valid to ochratoxin A.     

基于体外细胞模型的霉菌毒素毒性评价

霉菌毒素是由多种真菌产生的次级代谢产物,广泛存在于食品和饲料中。霉菌毒素污染的粮食和饲料会给畜牧业生产和畜产品质量安全带来极大隐患。研究霉菌毒素致毒机理,为今后研究其对动物及人的影响开展更深入更全面的研究提供理论依据。细胞模型作为一种常用的体外试验方法广泛用于毒理学研究中。本文简述了黄曲霉毒素B_1(AFB_1)、赭曲霉毒素A(OTA)、脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇(DON)、玉米赤霉烯酮(ZEA)和展青霉素(PAT)的一般特性,并综述了利用细胞模型进行AFB_1、OTA、DON、ZEA和PAT毒性、联合毒性及致毒机理研究的进展。     

贮藏年限对裸燕麦种带真菌和真菌毒素的影响

为明确贮藏年限对裸燕麦种带真菌和真菌毒素的影响，对同一产地收获后贮藏于相同环境下1、2、3和5年的3个裸燕麦品种分别进行了带菌情况和毒素含量检测。结果表明：随贮藏年限的延长，裸燕麦种子带菌量总体表现为降低趋势，孢子负荷量的变化范围为0.60~8.40 cfu；带菌率介于2.75%~28.50%。不同品种的带菌情况差异很大，同一品种的带菌种类和分离率随贮藏年限的变化也明显不同。从3个裸燕麦品种中共检出真菌17属33种，优势属为曲霉菌属、青霉菌属和链格孢菌属，优势种因贮藏时间和品种不同而异。裸燕麦种子的毒素含量随贮藏年限的延长则呈先升后降的趋势，3种真菌毒素中检出量最高的是细交链孢酮酸，为16.88~348.67 μg·kg^-1；桔青霉素的含量最低，变化范围为0.01~1.04 μg·kg^-1。综上，贮藏年限对裸燕麦种子的带菌情况和真菌毒素检出量影响显著。     

Mycotoxins and reproduction in domestic livestock.

Molds are parasitic plants that are ubiquitous in livestock feedstuffs. Even though molds themselves reduce the quality of grains, their synthesis of chemical substances termed mycotoxins causes the greatest monetary loss to the animal industry. Five major mycotoxins that impair growth and reproductive efficiency in North America are aflatoxins, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, ochratoxin, and ergot. Aflatoxins are produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Consumption of grains containing aflatoxins by swine affects reproduction indirectly by reducing feed intake and growth. In swine, aflatoxins impair liver and kidney function, delay blood clotting, increase susceptibility to bruising, and interfere with cellular humoral immune systems. Ruminants are comparatively resistant to aflatoxicosis, but presence of aflatoxins in milk of dairy cows is closely monitored for human safety. Depending on environmental conditions, Fusarium roseum can produce either zearalenone or deoxynivalenol. Days 7 to 10 postmating seem to be a critical period of gestation for zearalenone to exert its detrimental actions on early embryonic development. Presence of deoxynivalenol in swine feedstuffs decreases feed intake, causes feed refusal, and induces occasional vomiting. Several species of Penicillium and Aspergillus produce ochratoxin, a mycotoxin that causes necrosis of kidney tissue. Ergot alkaloids produced by Claviceps purpurea on wheat can cause reproductive problems and are associated with lactational failure in swine. Various methods have been developed to remove mycotoxins from infected feedstuffs. Chemical analyses in laboratories as well as diagnostic kits suitable for use at the elevator or farm can be used successfully to identify which mycotoxins are present in suspect feedstuffs.     

2006~2007年中国饲料及饲料原料霉菌毒素污染调查报告

作者评估了2006年和2007年上半年我国饲料原料和全价饲料中6种主要霉菌毒素的检出水平和分布特点,得出如下结论：①我国饲料原料和全价饲料中超标率和检出水平最高的霉菌毒素是玉米赤霉烯酮、烟曲霉毒素和呕吐毒素（田间型毒素）。人们一直重视的黄曲霉毒素（仓储型毒素）超标率和检出水平均比较低;②饲料原料和全价饲料中多种霉菌毒素往往同时存在,由于不同毒素间具有协同作用,将加剧毒素的毒性作用和中毒症状的严重程度;③副产品原料,特别是玉米副产品如干燥酒糟（DDGS）和玉米蛋白粉中霉菌毒素的污染非常严重;④与单一能量和蛋白质饲料原料相比,全价饲料中的多种霉菌毒素的检出水平才是相对比较准确和客观的控制指标;⑤控制霉菌毒素危害的最经济有效的措施是控制原料质量和使用有效的霉菌毒素吸附剂。     

饲用草产品主要真菌毒素污染检测、风险评估与控制研究进展

饲用草产品在收获、加工、贮藏及运输过程中易遭受雨淋、干燥不完全或装卸挤压时造成叶片脱落发生真菌性病害,引起品质劣变,不仅直接带来经济损失,而且部分真菌毒素会对家畜及人类健康造成安全隐患。真菌毒素是继农药残留、病虫害、无机污染物后,影响饲用草产品质量安全的关键风险因子。饲用草产品中真菌毒素的污染状况、检测方法、限量标准和风险评估的研究对于其质量安全具有重要意义。本研究系统阐述了饲用草产品中主要真菌毒素：黄曲霉毒素、赭曲霉毒素、玉米赤霉烯酮、脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇、T-2毒素、伏马毒素的污染状况及毒性,分析和总结了其检测方法及限量标准,对饲用草产品中真菌毒素风险评估及脱毒方法进行了概述;在此基础上,对饲用草产品真菌毒素的研究方向进行了展望,以期为该领域后续的研究提供参考。     

Comparative study of three feeding methods for draught horses of the Swiss army

Three feeding methods were compared in 36 4- to 6-year-old Franche-Montagne horses during the military school of St-Luzisteig (GR) of Spring 1992. The horses were separated into 3 groups: a group with the traditional oats-hay ration (OH), a group with a pelleted feed and hay ration (PFH), and a group with the complete diet (CD). Feed analyses were performed and food consumption, eating behavior and digestibility were studied. The horses received their daily amount of feed in 3 portions covering the requirements for a medium work: OH = 8 kg hay and 3 kg oats, PFH = 8 kg hay and 3 kg pelleted feed and CD = 10 kg of the complete diet. For the 3 rations, the amount of digestible crude protein for horses was higher than the reference value for the requirement of a 600 kg horse with a medium work. In the 3 diets, the calcium content was higher than the required 32 g per day (g/d). Not enough sodium (OH: 1.2 g/d; PFH: 7.3 g/d; CD: 9.6 g/d) and too much potassium (OH: 140.3 g/d; PFH 153.0 g/d; CD: 167.5 g/d) were present in the diets, both without consequences for the blood parameters. In 3 meals of 60 minutes, the horses of the group OH, PFH and CD ingested 82%, 89% and 92%, respectively, of the daily ration. The complete diet was ingested more quickly than the hay. The number of mastications per minute was smaller for the complete diet than for the hay. Ingestion times were similar for oats and pelleted feed. However, the number of mastications per minute was smaller for the pelleted feed. The digestibility of nutrients was not influenced by the method of feeding. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that the 3 types of ration studied here are adequate for the swiss army horses if sodium is added to the diet. However, despite the fact that both PFH and CD correct excessive supply or deficiencies of nutrients and despite the fact that these two feeding methods offer nutrients in amounts that are closer to the requirements of the horse, the method PFH was introduced in 1994.     

奶牛养殖中霉菌毒素的危害和脱毒技术

霉菌毒素是真菌产生的有毒的二级代谢产物,经常在奶牛饲料及其原料中发现。最常见的霉菌毒素是黄曲霉毒素（AF）、伏马菌素（FB）、玉米赤霉烯酮（ZEN）、脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇（DON）、T-2毒素和赭曲霉毒素A（OTA）。当饲料中霉菌毒素的浓度超过一定水平时,会导致奶牛发生免疫抑制、肝肾毒性、繁殖障碍等诸多健康问题。奶牛饲料原料在生长、收获、加工和储藏过程中不可避免受到霉菌毒素的污染,应用脱毒方法是预防霉菌毒素危害奶牛健康的关键控制点。物理、化学和生物脱毒是实现霉菌毒素脱毒的常见技术措施。其中,物理吸附和生物降解脱毒具有安全、绿色、去除率高、不破坏饲料营养物质等诸多优势,是国内外研究的重点和方向。本文主要介绍了奶牛饲料中常见霉菌毒素的生物特性、致病机理及其对奶牛的危害和物理、化学、生物脱毒方法,为防控霉菌毒素污染,实现健康养殖提供参考。     

霉菌毒素对动物肠道功能的影响及其作用机制研究进展

霉菌毒素属于霉菌次级代谢产物,具有种类多、分布广、毒性大的特点。霉菌毒素作为畜牧业中的“隐形杀手”,不仅严重降低了饲料品质,而且常存在于饲料原料中,影响动物机体健康,直接或间接造成食品安全问题。肠道作为消化吸收的主要场所,对霉菌毒素的刺激具有强烈的抵御和免疫作用,同时也深受霉菌毒素的损伤。玉米是主要的饲料原料之一,而黄曲霉毒素、脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇和玉米赤霉烯酮是玉米中主要出现的霉菌毒素,因此了解这3种霉菌毒素的毒性机制显得尤为重要。本文综合国内外研究进展,主要以这3种霉菌毒素为例,就霉菌毒素对肠道屏障、免疫机能、抗氧化功能、微生态平衡和营养物质代谢等的影响及其作用机制研究进行综述,为降低饲料中霉菌毒素的危害和开发降解霉菌毒素产品提供新的思路和理论依据,同时也对提升我国畜禽肉品质和粮食战略安全具有重要意义。     

The influence of contamination with separate mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, citrinin, patulin, penicillic acid or sterigmatocystin) on the in vitro dry matter and organic matter digestibilities of some roughages (berseem hay and wheat straw).

In vitro study on berseem hay and wheat straw was undertaken to investigate the the effect of mycotoxin contamination on dry matter and organic matter digestibilities. The data revealed a negative effect of most studied mycotoxins on the materials digestibility. Among the investigated mycotoxins, penicillic acid with its two concentrations (5 and 10 nmol) was the most negative, affecting digestibilities of both feed materials. Wheat straw digestibility was more influenced than berseem hay by the ochratoxin A, citrinin and sterigmatocystin (besides the penicillic acid) particularly with their high level (10 nmol). Yet, some mycotoxins act as antibiotics which may affect only the harmful flora but encourage the rumen microflora resulting in slight improvement of digestibility. The rumen conditions were able to metabolize or deform the used levels of all mycotoxins studied. Thus, there were no detectable residues of these mycotoxins in the digestion media after the in vitro fermentation.     

Simultaneous detection of multiple mycotoxins in broiler feeds using a liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry

Mycotoxins are secondary fungal metabolites that are typically present in grain and feed ingredients used for animal feeds. An analytical method using LC-ESI-MS/MS was developed to quantify nine mycotoxins, consisting of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), AFB₂, AFG₁, AFG₂, T-2 toxin, deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), zearalenone (ZEA) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in broiler feeds. In total, 100 samples of broiler feeds were collected from poultry farms in Central Thailand. The survey found that AFB₁ and ZEA were the most prevalent mycotoxins in the feed samples at percentages of 93% and 63%, respectively. The limit of detections (LODs) of investigated mycotoxins was 0.20–0.78 ng/g. AFB₂, DON, AFG₁, NIV and T-2 toxin were also detectable at low contamination levels with percentages of 20%, 9%, 7%, 5% and 1%, respectively, whereas OTA and AFG₂ were not detected in any of the feed samples. These results suggest that there is a very low level of risk of the exposure to mycotoxins in feeds obtained from broiler farms in Central Thailand.