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BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey Program 2007 |
  (29 Sent)
Who saw this article? New!
Author: Ines Rodrigues, Product Manager - BIOMIN GbmH
Publication date: 02/15/2008
The term mycotoxin derives from the Greek words “mycos” and “toxikon” and refers to the secondary toxic substances that are produced by fungi under a wide variety of environmental conditions. There are approximately 100 000 species of fungi acknowledged so far however, only some of them are known to produce mycotoxins. The mycotoxin-producing fungi fall generally into two different groups: those that invade the plants on the field before harvest – the field fungi – and those that occur after harvest – the storage fungi. Despite the prevention methods which may be used, 95% of the mycotoxins existing in the feed are already produced in the field.
In particularly difficult years in terms of climate conditions (namely when droughts or intensive rains occur) the mycotoxin incidence and concentration in agricultural commodities tends to be higher, since plant stress seems to be the major predisposing factor for mycotoxin production. As mycotoxin research develops, more evidences exist on the hazardous impact of these substances in animals and humans. Moreover, legislation is getting stricter worldwide as regards to mycotoxin contamination limits for feedstuffs and feed, therefore increasing the monitoring needs. According to Food and Agricultural Organization estimations, up to 25% of the world’s food crops are significantly contaminated with mycotoxins. This report intends to continue with the pioneer activity which has been conducted for the last years by Biomin GmbH in collaboration with Romer Labs Singapore Pte Ltd. by showing the contamination of feedstuffs and feed not only qualitatively, but also quantitatively. Because we believe that the only way to successfully develop strategies to counteract mycotoxins, is to know, as accurately as possible, to what extent and at which quantities they are produced.
Data origin
Continuing the work that has been done for the last years, Biomin GmbH has kept the Mycotoxin Survey Program in collaboration with Romer Labs Singapore Pte Ltd.. From October 2006 until September 2007, a total of 4 649 analyses were carried out for the most important mycotoxins in terms of agriculture and animal production – aflatoxin B1 (AfB1), zearalenone (ZON), deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 toxin (T-2), fumonisin B1 (FUM) and ochratoxin A (OTA). In total, 960 samples were analysed. Samples tested were diverse, ranging from cereals such as corn, wheat and rice to processing by-products, namely soybean meal, corn gluten meal, dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) and other fodder such as straw, silage and finished feed.
Analyzing procedure
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) methodology was used for the analysis of all mycotoxins, except for T-2 toxin, for which Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) was applied. For the purpose of data analysis, non-detection levels are based on the detection limits of the test method for each mycotoxin: Total aflatoxins < 4 μg/kg (ppb); zearalenone < 32 μg/kg (ppb); deoxynivalenol < 50 μg/kg (ppb); fumonisin B1 < 100 μg/kg (ppb); T-2 toxin < 125 μg/kg (ppb); ochratoxin A < 2μg/kg (ppb).
Figure 1 - Mycotoxin occurrence between 2006 and 2007 in the analysed samples
Overall results
As can be seen in Figure 1, from all survey samples 25%, 36%, 55%, 58%, 1% and 38% tested positive for contamination with AfB1, ZON, DON, FUM, T-2 and OTA, respectively.
Results per geographical region
Due to the various origins of the different samples these were analysed and data were compiled into regions. North Asia, South East Asia, South Asia, Oceania and America (North and South America) were the regions to which the samples were allocated. North Asian samples comprise China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan, South-East Asia includes Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia samples and South Asia takes into account India, Pakistan and Bangladesh samples. Detailed data regarding mycotoxin prevalence in the different regions can be found in Table 1 (1a to 1e).
North Asia
More than 50% of the samples analyzed in this survey came from this region and, within this area, most of them were originated in China. The occurrence of mycotoxins in North Asia was very high in the case of DON for which 80% of the analyzed samples tested positive. In the case of FUM, ZON, OTA and AfB1, positive contaminations were found in 66%, 40%, 37% and 17% of the tested samples, respectively. T-2 toxin was present in only 1% of the total samples (541), nevertheless a finished feed sample from China was found to be contaminated with 426 ppb of this trichothecene-mycotoxin. The most highly contaminated samples of the whole survey in terms of DON (27 852 ppb) and FUM (21 484 ppb) respectively, originated from this region, a corn sample and a finished feed sample, both from China.
South-East Asia
For South-East Asian samples the contamination was lower for all mycotoxins, in comparison with North Asia, both in terms of extent of contamination (number of contaminated samples) and in terms of mycotoxin concentration, except for aflatoxins. The percentage of contaminated samples was 46%, 33% and 15% for AfB1, ZON and DON, respectively. T-2 toxin was not found in any of the 236 tested samples. The highest level of AfB1 contamination in the whole survey (1 023 ppb) was found in a corn sample from Vietnam. FUM was found in 54% of the samples (average contamination: 1 002 ppb). The highest contamination level found for FUM was 10 766 ppb in a corn gluten meal sample from Vietnam. Although OTA was found in 33% of the tested samples the average contamination was quite low (4 ppb) and the highest contamination level (10 ppb) was found in a finished feed sample from Malaysia.
South Asia
Although the number of samples received from South Asia was quite smaller than those coming from North and South East Asia, an interesting profile could already be seen for this region. From the 23 samples tested for AfB1, 74% were positive (average contamination of 136 ppb) thus verifying the higher incidence of this mycotoxin in this equatorial region. The highest contamination level for AfB1 was found in a corn gluten meal sample from India (872 ppb). All the samples analyzed for OTA (7 samples) were positive and the maximum OTA-contamination level for this region (90 ppb) was found in a corn gluten meal sample from India. 22% of the samples tested for ZON and DON were positive (average contamination of 53 and 244 ppb, respectively). 45% of the samples tested for FUM were positive and from these, one corn sample from India showed a contamination of 1 455 ppb, the highest FUM level found in this region.
Figure 2 - Prevalence of mycotoxins in different geographic regions
Click here to enlarge the image
Oceania
From the 50 samples analyzed for aflatoxins, only one wheat sample from Australia tested positive (5 ppb). Regarding ZON, DON and FUM, 29%, 18% and 10% of the tested samples were positive, with average levels of 2 857, 417 and 1 471 ppb, respectively. The highest ZON-contamination of the whole survey (26 728 ppb) was found in a straw sample from Australia. None of the samples tested for T-2 was positive. Samples from this region were not analyzed for OTA contamination.
America
Samples from America were originated in North (USA) and South America (90% Argentina, 10% Brazil). The most prevalent mycotoxin in the samples from these countries was FUM, for which 63% of the samples tested positive. Although more samples coming from North America showed FUM-contamination, the highest level of contamination was actually found in a soybean meal sample from Argentina (7 910 ppb). For both, T-2 and OTA, only one sample amongst all tested was found positive with a contamination of 133 ppb (corn sample from Argentina) and 2 ppb (corn from USA), respectively. AfB1 was present in 6% of the tested samples. The highest level of contamination (709 ppb) was found in a corn sample from Argentina. DON was present in 50% of the samples. The highest contamination was found in a soybean meal sample also from Argentina (2 708 ppb). ZON contamination was found in 33% of the samples, with the highest value of 291 ppb (corn from Argentina).
Results per commodity
Corn
As corn is a commodity commonly used for animal nutrition its analysis has great importance. The majority (78%) of the 185 samples tested for FUM were positive, with an average contamination of 1 526 ppb. The second most prevalent mycotoxin in corn was DON (65% of positive samples) whereas AfB1 and ZON contaminated around one third of the samples tested. The highest DON-contamination found was 27 852 ppb in a sample from China which was the highest DON contamination found amongst all commodities from all regions.
Soybean meal
In comparison with the results found for corn, soybean meal samples showed not only a lower prevalence of mycotoxins but also lower contamination levels. AfB1 and T-2 were not found in any of the samples tested. OTA was present in one third of the samples tested in relatively low levels (average and maximum contamination of 7 and 9 ppb, respectively). FUM, DON and ZON were present in 8, 18 and 20% of the tested samples, with average contaminations of 2 554, 379 and 66 ppb, respectively.
Wheat/bran
Wheat and bran analysed samples showed a high prevalence of DON as 87% of the tested samples were contaminated with an average of 337 ppb. Only one of the samples tested for OTA was found contaminated (20 ppb); however only three samples were analysed thus this result cannot be referred to as representative. FUM, AfB1 and ZON were found in 29, 14 and 13% of the tested samples with average contaminations of 450, 6 and 48 ppb. T-2 toxin was found in none of the 13 samples tested.
Corn Gluten Meal
Although only about 17 corn gluten meal samples were analyzed (depending on the mycotoxin tested), the results show important contamination mainly for DON, ZON and FUM, not only qualitatively but also quantitatively. DON and FUM were present in 94% of the 17 samples tested, with an average contamination of 1 222 ppb and 5 687 ppb, respectively. A corn gluten meal sample presented a FUM contamination of 21 132 ppb, one of the highest in the whole survey. An average of 1 867 ppb ZON was found in 81% of the samples tested. In the case of AfB1, more than half (63%) of the tested samples were contaminated (average: 145 ppb; maximum: 872 ppb). OTA was detected in only one sample of the two samples tested, at a low level (8 ppb). T-2 was not found in any of the 12 samples tested for this mycotoxin.
Rice/bran
T-2 and OTA were not found in any of the rice and bran samples tested for these mycotoxins. ZON and FUM, on the other hand, were found in 34% of the 32 tested samples with an average contamination of 81 and 241 ppb, correspondingly, although at least one sample has shown a contamination of 253 and 358 ppb, respectively. Almost 20% of the samples were contaminated with AfB1 (average: 13 ppb; maximum: 35 ppb). DON was found in only 6% of the tested samples at an average level of 138 ppb and a maximum level of 202 ppb.
DDGS
If incoming cereal contains 1 ppm of a mycotoxin, the resultant DDGS will contain approximately 3 ppm is a golden rule generally accepted for the industry. Therefore, mycotoxin screening in DDGS is also a matter of concern. Although OTA and T-2 were not present in any of the samples tested, FUM, DON, ZON and AfB1 were present and, in some cases, at high levels. FUM was present in 88% of the samples with an average contamination of 1 017 ppb and a maximum contamination of 4 057 ppb. DON contaminated 80% of the tested samples (average: 2 738 ppb; maximum contamination: 24 269 ppb). ZON accounted for 77% of the DDGS contamination (maximum of 2 465 ppb and average of 362 ppb). A lower contamination was found in the case of AfB1 for which only 14% of the samples were contaminated with an average level of 26 ppb (maximum 65 ppb).
Table 2 - Survey results by commodity
Other feed ingredients
Other feed ingredients tested include commodities such as copra meal and cake, palm meal and oil, cassava, fish meal and full fat soy, amongst others. T-2 was not found in any of the 70 samples tested. As regards to OTA, only 3 samples were analyzed, which cannot be considered as representative. Nevertheless, from the three samples tested, one was found to be contaminated with a low level (3 ppb) OTA. The most prevalent mycotoxin in these samples was ZON with 36% samples testing positive (average contamination: 413 ppb; maximum contamination: 2 444 ppb). DON, AfB1 and FUM were present in 33, 25 and 12% of the samples with average contamination of 2 172, 21 and 797 ppb, respectively. A level as high as 19 371 ppb DON was found amongst the samples tested.
Table 3 – Prevalence of mycotoxins in different commodities
Finished feed
A high number of finished feed samples was analyzed for mycotoxins, increasing the importance and the representativeness of the results. 70% of the finished feed samples were contaminated with FUM. Although the average contamination found was 1 395 ppb, at least one sample was found with a contamination of 21 484 ppb FUM. DON and OTA were the most prevalent mycotoxins after FUM with 63 and 55% of the samples testing positive for these mycotoxins (average contamination: 611 and 225 ppb, respectively for DON and OTA). ZON and AfB1 accounted respectively for 44 and 42% of the contamination found in these samples. ZON was present at an average level of 241 ppb (maximum 2 162 ppb) and AfB1 at an average level of 26 ppb (maximum 317 ppb). Although T-2 toxin was only present in 2% of the tested samples, one sample was found with a high contamination of 426 ppb.
Straw/Silage
Interesting values were found regarding straw contamination with ZON. The highest ZON value of the whole survey (26 728 ppb) was found in a straw sample from Australia, even if in total ZON was only present in 19% of the tested samples. Half of the straw and silage samples were DON-contaminated (average level 242 ppb and maximum contamination of 1 256 ppb). As regards to FUM 12% of the samples were found positive for this mycotoxin with an average and maximum contamination of 498 and 989 ppb, respectively. AfB1 was present in only 1% of the 191 samples tested at relatively low levels (average: 27 ppb; maximum: 29 ppb). T-2 and OTA were not found in any of the tested samples, although only 3 samples were tested for OTA. Further analyzes would be needed to obtain conclusive results for this mycotoxin.
Table 4 – Overview of the survey
Summary
Table 4 shows an overview of this survey in which a total of 4 649 analyses were performed to feedstuffs and feed. Although sometimes average contamination data are not so high, maximum contamination levels are quite disturbing and one should always consider their potential effects to the animals ingesting these amounts of toxic substances. This report confirmed not only the results of previous ones, but also data from literature. Mycotoxin contamination varies amongst geographical regions and between commodities. As it has been shown, contamination extend varied from 1% of the samples as in the case of T-2 toxin, to 58% of the samples for Fumonisin B1. As regards to the levels of contamination, these vary from 0 µg/kg - in the case of non-contaminated samples - to values as high as 27 852 µg/kg, for example in the case of DON.
With basis on these irrefutable results and on the known negative impacts mycotoxins cause in animals, these substances should be considered with precaution by professionals on the agricultural, animal production and feed sectors. Analyzing commodities and feed is crucial to monitor mycotoxins’ presence, as these substances are invisible, odourless and tasteless. The use of mycotoxin deactivating products to counteract the hazardous impacts of these toxins on animal health and performance should be considered as a preventive measure.
Author: Ines Rodrigues, Product Manager - BIOMIN GbmH
Publication date: 02/15/2008
(29 Sent)
Who saw this article? New!
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