New research validates mycotoxin detoxifiers for poultry feed safety

KENYA – A groundbreaking study by Ochieng et al., published in Mycotoxin Research Journal, shows that mycotoxin detoxifiers effectively mitigate the harmful effects of aflatoxins and fumonisins on laying hens.

Conducted under conditions mimicking small-scale farming practices in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi, Kenya, the research provides crucial insights for poultry farmers grappling with mycotoxin contamination.  

Mycotoxins, toxic compounds produced by fungi such as Aspergillus and Fusarium, are a significant challenge for poultry farming. 

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) often co-occur in contaminated feeds, posing severe risks to poultry health and productivity. 

The study highlights how these mycotoxins, when ingested, can impair immune responses, reduce egg production, and cause organ damage in laying hens. 

Notably, hens fed high levels of AFB1 (546 µg/kg feed) exhibited reduced egg production and increased liver, spleen, and heart weights, indicating systemic toxicity.  

Beyond direct productivity losses, AFB1 residues in eggs were detected, raising food safety concerns. 

While maximum residues remained below quantifiable limits, the potential for human exposure through consumption underscores the need for effective mitigation measures.  

Mitigating mycotoxin impacts with detoxifiers  

The study evaluated two mycotoxin detoxifiers: bentonite (BENT), a clay-based binder, and fumonisin esterase (FZYM), a biological modifier. 

These detoxifiers function in distinct but complementary ways: bentonite binds mycotoxins through ionic interactions, effectively preventing their absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, while fumonisin esterase enzymatically degrades fumonisins into less toxic metabolites, neutralizing their harmful effects. 

Together, these approaches tackle the dual challenge of preventing and reducing mycotoxin toxicity.

When added to diets contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin (FB), the detoxifiers not only improved egg production but also mitigated the adverse effects on organ weights, such as liver and kidney hypertrophy, and blood biochemistry, including elevated enzyme levels indicative of organ stress.

For instance, hens fed detoxified diets showed an increase in egg production rates by up to 15% compared to those without detoxifiers. These findings highlight the substantial productivity gains achievable through mycotoxin management.

Significantly, hens fed diets incorporating detoxifiers exhibited better health and productivity outcomes than those receiving only one detoxifier, underscoring the importance of multi-component strategies to combat co-contamination. 

Co-contamination is particularly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where diverse feed ingredients are often simultaneously exposed to multiple mycotoxins during improper storage and handling.

The study’s findings align with global research but provide region-specific validation tailored to SSA’s unique farming conditions. In SSA, small-scale farmers frequently rely on low-quality feed without adequate awareness of its risks. 

Mycotoxin contamination is exacerbated by limited access to proper storage facilities and a lack of regulatory enforcement, creating a critical need for effective mitigation strategies.

This study reinforces the integration of mycotoxin detoxifiers into feed management practices to safeguard poultry health, enhance productivity, and ensure food safety. 

By validating the efficacy of BENT and FZYM under SSA conditions, the research offers a valuable blueprint for addressing mycotoxin challenges in the region.

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