Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi, capable of causing disease and death in animals and human. They can appear in food chain as a result of fungal growth in crops that are used to feed the animals. They are resistant to decomposition, temperature treatments and digestion conditions, so the most effective solution to avoid their effects on animals is to use a mycotoxin binder.

Fumonisin B1

Fumonisin B1 is one of the most prevalent mycotoxins. It is produced by several species of Fusarium molds that mainly grow in maize (corn), wheat and other cereals. In animal, Fumonisin B1 has hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects and is the known cause of porcine pulmonary oedema syndrome, which involves disturbed sphingolipid metabolism and cardiovascular dysfunction.

Binding mycotoxins with Silicoglycidol 

Several trials were conducted to test the mycotoxin binding ability of Silicoglycidol, a molecule patented by Biovet, S.A. with high adsorption efficiency and low desorption rates.

Results

Conclusions

At pH 3, fumonisin B1 adsorption is 99.96%.

At pH 5, 9.86% of all fumonisin B1 binded by Silicoglycidol is detached from the binder.

At pH 9, 6.62% of the fumonisin B1 binded by Silicoglycidol is detached from the binder.

The effective binding % of fumonisin B1 in all the digestive tract, taking into account the desorption rate at basic pH, is 83.48%.

Silicoglycidol is available as Alquerfeed Antitox (Silicoglycidol alone), Alquerfeed Binmold and Alquerplus Asinol (silicoglycidol combined with feed preservatives) and Alquerfeed Antitox Plus (Silicoglycidol combined with probiotics).

Picture:”Food Mycotoxins—An Update“(2006) at www.ift.org