Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by strains of specific fungal species under suitable atmospheric conditions. Mycotoxins can contaminate feed during cultivation, storage, and transport, causing an impact on livestock that consume infected feed. Different mycotoxins are produced by the same fungal species that may have additive, synergistic, or antagonistic effects with other toxins and infectious agents. This reduces the productivity of animals and impacts the farm profits. Furthermore, certain mycotoxins can be transferred through animal-derived food products, posing a risk to human health.
According to the World Mycotoxin Survey, mycotoxin threats in livestock feed are a global concern. In the edition for January–December 2024, multiple mycotoxins were detected, with more economic impact than in the previous year. Notably, the global prevalence of T2 has increased from approximately 22% to 23%, while that of zearalenone has increased from 52% to 60%, leading to economic losses to farmers. Both ZEN and T-2 are highly stable compounds, capable of resisting heat, storage conditions, and standard feed processing techniques. Their ability to survive harsh environmental and industrial conditions makes them particularly dangerous, as they remain active in feed and continue to exert toxic effects on animals and eventually humans.
Zearalenone
Zearalenone is one of the critical toxins produced by Fusarium fungal species, mainly present in cereal grain-derived products. Zearalenone resembles estrogen and its derivatives and might interfere with estrogen receptors. This leads to decreased fertility, litter size, changes in serum progesterone levels in females, decreased spermatogenesis, libido, testosterone levels, and testicular weight in males. Zearalenone impacts conception, ovulation, implantation, the development of the fetus, and the viability of newborn animals at higher doses.
T-2 toxins
T-2 is from the trichothecene class of mycotoxins, and its toxicity depends on age, dosage, and species. The T-2 toxin produced by Fusarium tricinctum has been linked to a toxicosis in animals fed moldy feed. T-2 toxin inhibits protein and DNA synthesis and weakens immune responses. It mainly targets rapidly dividing cells in the immune system and gastrointestinal tract. Clinical symptoms include feed refusal, weight loss, growth retardation, diarrhea, intestinal hemorrhages, oral lesions, vomiting, and, in severe cases, death.
Management of zearalenone and T2 toxin
Zearalenone and T2 toxin are stable thermally and chemically, making it difficult to eliminate them from feed by using common mycotoxin management techniques, such as heating, fermentation, or irradiation. Other traditional methods, such as chemical degradation or physical separation, might lead to nutrient degradation, palatability issues, and feed safety. To overcome these challenges, mycotoxin binders are widely used in animal nutrition as a practical, safe, and economical solution.
A mycotoxin binder for animal feed is a substance that is used in small quantities to entrap mycotoxins in the gastrointestinal tract. They help to prevent the toxin from entering the animal’s bloodstream via the gut, preventing further damage to animal health. Mycotoxin binders can be inorganic or organic. Inorganic binders, like clays and activated carbon, primarily bind mycotoxins through electrostatic and van der Waals forces, while organic binders, such as yeast cell walls and cellulose, often utilize more specific binding mechanisms, like hydrogen bonding.
These binders trap harmful toxins without affecting feed nutritive value and animal health. Mycotoxin binders for animal feed are a cost-effective solution to minimize economic damage and improve livestock productivity.