A study was conducted with an objective to compare the efficacy of bentonite (BT), Spirulina platensis (SP) and glucomannan mycotoxin binders (GMA) on aflatoxicosis in broiler breeders. Three levels of AF, three binders and combination of different levels of AF with binders were evaluated. The AF fed at the levels of 300, 400 and 500ppb for three periods, each with duration of three weeks in br...

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium fungi. ZEN primarily contaminates different cereals, and exerts a strong xenoestrogenic effect in animals and humans. ZEN is a fluorescent mycotoxin, although molecular interactions and microenvironmental changes significantly modify its spectral properties. During biotransformation, ZEN is converted into α-zearalenol (α-ZOL) and β-zearaleno...

The contamination of foods and feeds is a significant problem in worldwide. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of fungi, particularly by many species of Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Claviceps and Alternaria in many agricultural crops, especially in cereals and most oilseeds. Aflatoxins, ochratoxins, trichothecenes, zearelenone and fumonisins are the mycotoxins of greatest agro-economic...

This is the fourth in a series of peer-reviewed Practice tip articles, each including two or three fact sheets. Previous practice tips included fact sheets on acidifi ers and antibiotics in the September-October issue (J Swine Health Prod. 2009;17:270–275); on carcass modifi ers, carbohydrate-degrading enzymes, and proteases, and anthelmintics in the November-December issue (J Swine Health Prod...

• Molds are filamentous (fuzzy or dusty appearing) fungi that occur in many feedstuffs, including roughages and concentrates. • Molds can infect dairy cattle, especially during stressful periods when they are immune suppressed, causing a disease referred to as mycosis. • A wide range of different molds produce poisons called mycotoxins that affect animals when they consume contaminated feeds. •...