Mycotoxins are harmful secondary fungal metabolites and are of key concern to food and feed safety globally. In addition to compromised performance, mycotoxins negatively impact animal health. Although classic signs such as decreased feed intake and vomiting are known in the field as indicators for exposure, mycotoxins act as predisposing factors for diseases by immune suppression, causing inflammation, and modulating the gastrointestinal environment, even at low levels. This survey presents mycotoxin levels of corn samples from the 2018 harvest and compares these levels with those in previous years. New crop corn samples from various sources, were submitted starting from mid-August 2018, and consisted of corn (70%), corn silage (18%), and corn byproduct (12%). Samples were analyzed utilizing the liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for six major mycotoxin groups: aflatoxins (Afla), type A trichothecenes (A-Trich), type B trichothecenes (B-Trich), fumonisins (FUM), zearalenone (ZEN), and ochratoxin-A (OTA). Data are presented for major mycotoxin classes in Table 1. The majority of samples contained at least 1 detectable mycotoxin with co-occurrence (≥ 2 mycotoxins) similar to 2017, and less than 2016. Prevalence of B-Trich has decreased compared with previous years, but average ppb is similar to 2017. Prevalence and average ppb of ZEN are similar to 2017, while FUM has increased in both prevalence and average ppb. Alfa prevalence has increased and average ppb is numerically higher than the previous two years. The preliminary results from the 2018 corn harvest suggest a continued risk from mycotoxins produced by Fusarium fungal species, and a potential increased risk of Afla compared to previous years. Because of the risk of multi-mycotoxin contamination in corn samples thus far, multiple mitigation strategies are needed beyond just adsorption, including biotransformation support of the immune system and liver function.
Initial survey of standing pastures in the southern United States investigated the occurrence of mycotoxins in grasses. Zearalenone (ZEN), an endocrine disruptor, was the most prevalent mycotoxin and is a potential threat to reproductive performance in grazing livestock. The ongoing survey expanded to cover a greater geographic area and additional grass species, as well as hay and preserved forages, were included in the survey to further investigate the presence of mycotoxins in US grasses. Fresh pasture samples were hand-plucked (25–30 subsamples per pasture) to simulate cattle foraging behavior and composited for analysis. Baled forages were sampled using a probe and other preserved forages were collected via grab samples from the face of bags or silos. Samples were screened for the presence of mycotoxins at Activation Laboratories (Ancaster, Ontario, Canada; 16 mycotoxins) or Romer Labs (Union, MO; 17 mycotoxins) via liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method. Parameters of the main mycotoxins detected are presented on a dry basis in parts per billion (ppb) in Table 1. A total of 415 samples were collected March 2016 through February 2019 primarily from southern states (FL, TX, AL, GA, LA). One or more mycotoxins were detected in 286 samples (68.9%). ZEN was detected most frequently across all samples (60.0%; 1428.4 ± 181.3 ppb) with type A trichothecenes (A-Trich; including T-2 toxin & HT-2 toxin; 16.6%; 1139.5 ± 647.2 ppb) and type B trichothecenes (B-Trich; including deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, and fusarenon X; 9.6%; 1230.9 ± 522.9 ppb) being the next most prevalent toxin group. These survey results suggest a variety of mycotoxins occur in multiple grass species and can be detected from fresh pasture as well as in hay and other preserved forages. The types and concentrations of mycotoxins detected may pose challenges to livestock reproduction, health, and performance even when consuming high forage diets.
Mycotoxins are harmful secondary fungal metabolites and are of key concern to food and feed safety globally. These toxins are detrimental to animal health and can compromise animal performance even at low levels. Classic signs such as decreased feed intake and vomiting used as indicators for exposure overlook other costs of mycotoxicosis, including increasing the frequency and severity of disease via immune suppression, inciting inflammation, and modulating the gastrointestinal environment. This survey examines initial samples of the 2019 crop with previous year trends. New crop corn samples were submitted from September 2019 and consisted of corn (46%), corn silage (50%), and corn byproduct (4%). Samples were analyzed utilizing the liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for six major mycotoxin groups: aflatoxins (Afla), type A trichothecenes (A-Trich), type B trichothecenes (B-Trich), fumonisins (FUM), zearalenone (ZEN), and ochratoxin-A (OTA). Data are presented for major mycotoxin classes in Table 1. Fewer samples are available thus far compared to the fall of 2018 (50 samples in 2019 vs. 135 samples in 2018), thus risk profile of this crop year is likely to change as the sample pool expands. Co-occurrence (≥ 2 mycotoxins) has decreased compared to 2018. The prevalence of B-Trich decreased compared with previous years, but levels are similar to 2018. Prevalence and levels of ZEN decreased from 2018, and are similar to 2017, while FUM is similar in prevalence to 2018, but average ppb numerically increased. As of yet, no Alfa has been detected; however, corn stored with higher moisture content has increased the risk for storage toxins. Mycotoxin risk of this harvest season is still coming into focus as harvest delays have affected sample submission. Due to continued risk of multi-mycotoxin contamination, multiple mitigation strategies are needed beyond just adsorption, including biotransformation, support of the immune system and liver function.
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