RUMINANTS INFORMATION by SPECIES
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Are ruminants affected by mycotoxins? The presence of mycotoxins in feed influences animal growth and, in case of ruminants in particular, on the quality of milk.
What types of mycotoxins mainly affect ruminants?
Aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2) Ochratoxin A (OTA) y/o Citrinina Trichothecenes Group A: Toxina T-2 Group B: Doxynivalenol (DON or also vomitoxin) Zearalenone Fumonisinas (FB1, FB2)
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At what stage of production do mycotoxins create most problems?
In dairy production, one of the
In addition, ruminant livestock is
biggest risk comes from dairy cattle
also affected by Zearalenone and
fed with AFB1 contaminated feed
Trichothecenes, while being poorly
and it results in milk contaminated
sensitive to Ochratoxin A.
with Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1). Aflatoxin B1 is metabolized by enzymes found primarily in the liver, to AFM1 which is excreted through urine and milk.
Which organs mycotoxins affect and what are the pathologies produced? AFLATOXINS (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 AFG2) Carcinogenic effects Hepatic injury Decrease in milk production Poor alimentation efficiency
OCHRATOXIN A (OTA) Reduced sensitivity to Ochratoxin
ZEARALENONE Decrease in milk production Infertility Reproductive disorders Decreased food intake
FUMONISINS (FB1, FB2) Histological lesions of severe interlobular pulmonary edema
TRICHOTHECENES Type A (TOXIN T2) Immunosuppression in calves Decrease in milk production Decreased protein content of milk
Liver apoptosis and biliary retention Increased serum levels of AST, GGT and bilirubin
Lower intake
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In which raw materials the main mycotoxins affecting ruminants are found?
Aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2)
Ocratoxin A (OTA) y/o Citrinin
Trichothecenes Group A: Toxina T-2
Trichothecenes Group B: Doxynivalenol (DON or also vomitoxin)
Zearalenone
Fumonisins (FB1, FB2)
Corn Cotton Wheat Peanuts Sorghum Barley Rye Oats
What detection methods are used to detect mycotoxins in ruminants?
Mycotoxins in feed are commonly
CHROMATOGRAPHY AND
detected and quantified using
SPECTROMETRY
antibody-based assays and
( HPLC , GG/MS AND LC-MS/MS)
chromatography techniques.
High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas
ELISA TEST The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is an antibody-based assay that is commonly used for mycotoxins detection. There are several commercial ELISA kits available for Aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, Fumonisins, Ochratoxins and Zearalenone. ELISA is one of the most affordable methods for mycotoxins detection, but its limit of detection for many mycotoxins often exceeds 0.2 ppm.
chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) are two of the most commonly used methods for the detection and quantification of mycotoxins. HPLC and GC/MS, apart from having detection limit of <0.05 ppm for many mycotoxins, also require expensive equipment and technical support. LC-MS/MS is a system that covers all main mycotoxins, and can detect and quntify mycotxoins with increased sensitivity, precision and reproducibility level. Liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS) is nowadays the most commonnly used method for evaluation of mycotoxins and the most reliable way of their quantification.
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How do we prevent from and/or fight against mycotoxins in ruminants ?
Handling mycotoxin
The complete elimination of
contamination and health
mycotoxin contamination seems
consequences in animal
to be practically impossible.
production pose increasing challenges for food security and
Mycotoxins are always present,
safety systems of the consumer.
at least in small amounts, and the effects of the presence of
Prevention against mycotoxins
those small amounts of diverse
should start with the elimination
mycotoxins results in synergistics
or reduction of fungal growth
effects that can greater than the
in plants, without forgetting the
sum of the individual effects of
storage of grains. In addition
each type of mycotoxin.
to controlling temperature and humidity using aeration, it is
Prevention against mycotoxins
advisable to use fungal inhibitors
is necessary and the use of
and to use protection against
detoxifying or adsorbing agents
damage caused by insects and
in ruminant rations is essential.
rodents. Despite all the efforts made in order to reduce the level of mycotoxins in feed ingredients, there is always a certain degree of contamination that may pose a risk to livestock animals.
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