Mycotoxins, metabolites generated by different species of fungi, are able to affect the productive parameters in weaned piglets. These include deoxynivalenol (DON), also known as vomitoxin, produced by the fungi of the genus Fusarium.

The DON belongs to the group of tricotecenes, epoxide is their active group and it cause the reduction of food consumption, stunted growth and vomiting, even at low concentrations.

Silicoglycidol is a molecule obtained from a hydrated aluminum-sodium-calcium silicate after a specific treatment at high temperatures and ion exchange. This structural modification allows to improve the ability of this molecule to adsorb mycotoxins in the digestive tract.

1. Objective

Evaluate the effect of Silicoglycidol on the production parameters of weaned piglets using feed contaminated with deoxynivalenol (DON).

2. Material and methods

A total of 64 DLY piglets were used, from 6 to 10 weeks of age and with an initial weight of 10-12 kg (day 42 of life). Two experimental groups were established, both contaminated with DON:

1. Control group: standard diet, contaminated with DON (2.4 ppm).
2. Experimental group: standard diet, contaminated with DON (2.6 ppm) + Silicoglycidol at dose of 0.5 kg/t.

There were eight replicates (pens) per treatment, with 4 animals/pen. A single diet was used throughout the trial and the animals were feed ad libitum.

3. Results

The results obtained throughout the trial in both experimental groups, in relation to the weight of animals, are shown below:

No significant difference was observed between the two groups, obtaining a final weight of 26.24 kg in the control group and 26.05 kg in the group with Silicoglycidol. Feed intake and conversion rate were assessed in both experimental groups.

It was observed that the animals in the control group consumed a greater amount of feed throughout the trial, however, the conversion rate was significantly worse in the control group, 1.66 versus 1.49 in the experimental group.

At the same time, the values of liver enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), were analyzed. When the physiological functioning of an organ is affected, it increases its enzymatic secretion, therefore, the enzymatic quantification allows us to assess the organic state, in this case, the state of the liver.

Lower values were observed for both enzymes, with a reduction of 2.5% for TSA and 0.75% for ALT, in the experimental group supplemented with Silicoglycidol, indicating a better liver status compared to the control group.

4. Conclusion

The presence of DON in feed, even in small quantities, affects the productive parameters of pigs, reducing food intake and vomiting and increasing the feed conversion rate.

The addition in the feed of Silicoglycidol, allows to adsorb those mycotoxins and avoid their effects on growth, improve the feed conversion rate and ensure the functioning of organs, such as the liver.

Silicoglycidol is marketed under the name Alquerfeed Antitox by Biovet S.A.