Mycotoxins are harmful substances produced by molds. Under favorable environmental conditions, when temperature and moisture are conducive, molds proliferate and produce mycotoxins, which are released under stress and act as a natural defense mechanism for them. Over 500 mycotoxins have been identified so far, and this number is increasing steadily. There may be higher mold count, but no mycotoxin and similarly, mycotoxin can be present without mold too.
Factors influencing mold and mycotoxin development
Mycotoxins are not just a problem at one point — they creep in at every stage of the feed supply chain – from the moment crops are cultivated, harvested to the time feed reaches the animals. Below are the Factors influencing mould and mycotoxin development.
Most common mycotoxins and their harmful effects
Mycotoxins are the root cause of numerous problems, like feed intake reduction or refusal,
digestive disorder, reproductive issues, compromised fertility, reduced performance, suppression of the immune system, damage to internal organs, and reduced eggshell quality in birds.
| Mycotoxin type | Produced By (Fungi) | Effects on Poultry | Effects on Dairy | Effects on Beef |
| Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) | Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus | Liver damage, reduced growth, and immunosuppression | Reduced milk yield, liver damage, and aflatoxin M1 residues in milk | Liver damage, reduced weight gain, and immune suppression |
| Ochratoxin A (OTA) | Aspergillus, Penicillium | Kidney damage, immune suppression | Kidney damage, decreased feed intake, reduced milk yield | Kidney damage, reduced growth, carcass quality loss |
| T-2 toxins (HT-2, DAS) | Fusarium species | Oral lesions, reduced feed intake, gut damage | Digestive tract irritation, reduced milk yield | Reduced feed intake, mouth ulcers, poor weight gain |
| Deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin) | Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum | Vomiting, feed refusal, gut irritation | Feed refusal, reduced dry matter intake, lower milk yield | Decreased feed intake, reduced average daily gain, gut irritation |
| Zearalenone (ZEN) | Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum | Estrogenic effects, reproductive issues | Infertility, irregular estrous cycles, abortions | Reproductive problems, reduced fertility, swollen udders in heifers |
| Fumonisins (FB1, FB2) | Fusarium verticillioides, F. proliferatum | Liver and immune dysfunction, reduced performance | Liver damage, reduced fertility, and immune suppression | Liver damage, lung edema, and reduced growth performance |
| Citrinin | Penicillium citrinum, Aspergillus | Kidney damage, reduced hatchability | Nephrotoxicity, reduced milk production | Kidney damage, reduced growth |
| Ergot alkaloids | Claviceps purpurea (ergot fungus in grains) | Reduced egg production, poor hatchability | Reduced milk yield, agalactia (no milk), heat stress sensitivity | Reduced weight gain, gangrene of extremities, and poor fertility |
| Sterigmatocystin | Aspergillus versicolor, A. nidulans | Liver toxicity, immunosuppression | Carcinogenic risk, reduced milk yield | Liver toxicity, immune suppression |
| Patulin | Penicillium expansum (fruits, silage) | Gut irritation, poor growth | Reduced feed intake, milk contamination | Diarrhea, reduced weight gain |
| Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) | Aspergillus flavus, A. tamarii | Liver and muscle damage, poor growth | Reduced feed efficiency, liver damage | Muscle weakness, reduced growth |
At Alltech, we believe that testing feed for mycotoxins should be simple, smart, and seamless. Having the right information at the right time is crucial for you to make the most effective mycotoxin control decisions.
Alltech® RAPIREAD™ integrates advanced testing technology with user-friendly digital tools to deliver real-time insights into mycotoxin risks. By connecting portable test devices with a powerful online portal, Alltech RAPIREAD™ provides rapid, reliable data to support informed decisions for feed quality and animal health on site and in real time.
Alltech® RAPIREAD™ is designed for use on-farm or in the feed mill and is suitable for testing individual grains, forages and select complete feeds. Six key mycotoxins can currently be quantified – Aflatoxin, Ochratoxin, DON, T2/HT-2, Zearalenone and Fumonosins.
The Alltech® RAPIREAD™ system consists of:
- Easy-to-use Alltech® RAPIREAD™ app
- Rapid Testing Device
- Data Sync Tool
- Online Mycotoxin Management Portal
- Risk Equivalent Quantity (REQ)
- Performance loss indicator
Alltech® 37+is an option for more in-depth testing and utilizes UPLC-MS/MS Technology and is accredited with ISO/IEC17025:2005, an international standard that recognises the competence of testing laboratories.
37+ labs are in Lexington, Kentucky and Dunboyne, Ireland. 37+ provides a comprehensive overview of the mycotoxin risk in animal feeds by:
- Testing 54 individual mycotoxins
- Risk Equivalent Quantity (REQ)
- Online Mycotoxin Management Portal
- Potential multi-mycotoxin challenge
Along with on-site, real-time testing offered by RAPIREAD™, it provides accurate and actionable information you need to combat the mycotoxin threat.
Risk Equivalent Quantity (REQ)
Risk equivalent quantity (REQ) measures the total toxicity of a mycotoxin mixture, using Aflatoxin B1 as a reference.
Through REQ number, each report provides how much risk is present in the sample – giving farmers and feed managers clear, actionable insight to protect animals, optimize feed, and safeguarding profitability
But testing alone is not the solution. Once risk levels are identified, strategies to mitigate them must follow. By binding and reducing the impact of harmful mycotoxins in the animal’s gut, Alltech’s proven solutions, safeguards animal performance and supports long-term profitability.
Mycosorb® FS is composed of select plant cell wall carbohydrates to help producers combat the ongoing threat from multiple mycotoxins. Mycosorb FS has been designed for feed producers who need regular protection from the ever-present risk of mycotoxins in feed, under low to moderate risk conditions.
Mycosorb® is composed of specific cell wall carbohydrates and Mycosorb® A+ is a premium solution with yeast cell wall carbohydrates and algae,
Mycosorb® and Mycosorb® A+ are proven solutions to reduce overall mycotoxin risk by binding multiple mycotoxins, enhancing gut health, boosting immunity and reducing organ damage for stronger animal performance.
For more information or queries, please contact
Dr. Fatema Tuz Zuhra
Marketing Executive
Email: Fatema.Zuhra@alltech.com
Alltech Biotechnology Pvt. Ltd.
