Assessment of the potential of a boron–fructose additive in counteracting the toxic effect of Fusarium mycotoxins

Abstract

Trichotecenes are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium sp., which may contaminate animal feeds and human food. A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of a fusarotoxin-contaminated diet, and to explore the counteracting potential of a calcium fructoborate (CFrB) additive on performance, typical health biochemistry parameters and immune response in weaned pigs. A naturally contaminated maize, containing low doses of deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, fumonisins and T-2/HT-2 toxins (1790, 20, 0·6 and 90 parts per billion), was included in a maize-soyabean meal diet, and given ad libitum to eight weaned piglets (two groups: four pigs/group) for a period of 24 d. CFrB was administered to one of the contaminated groups and to another four piglets as a daily supplement, following the manufacturer's recommendation. A decrease in performance was observed in contaminated animals at this concentration of feed toxins, which was ameliorated by the dietary CFrB supplementation. Fusarium toxins also altered the pig immune response by increasing (P, 0·05) the ex vivo peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation (111·7 % in comparison with control), the respiratory burst of porcine granulocytes (15·4 % for responsive cells v. 5·1 % for unstimulated cells and 70·95 v. 22·65 % for stimulated cells, respectively), the percentage of peripheral T, CD3þ CD4 þ and CD3 þ CD8 þ subsets and the synthesis of IL-1b, TNF-a and IL-8 (123·8, 217·1 and 255·1 %, respectively). The diet containing the CFrB additive reduced these exacerbated cellular immune responses induced by Fusarium toxins. However, consumption of CFrB did not counteract the effect of mycotoxins on biochemistry parameters, and increased plasma IgM and IgG of contaminated pigs.

Effects of a diet containing dried grape pomace on blood metabolites and milk composition of dairy cows

“…Feeds and milk were sampled for further analyses on periodical basis (each month). The feeds were analysed for crude protein, cellulose, crude fat, ash, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber, according to ISO methods …”

“…The feeds were analysed for crude protein, cellulose, crude fat, ash, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber, according to ISO methods. 18 At the end of the experiment, blood samples were aseptically collected from 2 × 7 cows (the closest to the milk production average of each group), from the jugular vein. The blood samples were aseptically collected into 9-mL Vacutainer tubes containing 14.3 U mL −1 of lithium heparin (Vacutest, Arzergrande, Italy) and then separated by centrifugation at 2564 × g for 25 min at 4 ∘ C and stored at -80 ∘ C until the analysis (biochemistry and total polyphenols).…”

Natural feed contaminant zearalenone decreases the expressions of important pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators and mitogen-activated protein kinase/NF-κB signalling molecules in pigs

“…A total of ten TOPIGS-40 cross-bred weanling piglets ( n 5 per group) with an initial average body weight of 9·5 ( sem 0·6) kg and age of 35 d were studied for 18 d. The piglets that were individually identified by ear tags were divided into two groups ( n 5 piglets/group per pen) and housed in pens and were allocated to the following two dietary treatments: (1) control (maize–soyabean meal basal diet only) ( 33 ) and (2) ZEA (control diet contaminated with 250 parts per billion (ppb) ZEA). Feed samples were taken at the beginning of the experiment and were analysed for Fusarium mycotoxin and nutrient content.…”

Mycoflora and Ochratoxin A Control in Wheat Grain Using Natural Extracts Obtained from Wine Industry By-Products

“…Substances which do not directly interact with mycotoxins, i.e. , antioxidant agents and immunostimulatory agents, may be very efficient in reducing the toxicity of mycotoxins [16–18]. Substances with preservative action are often added to moist cereals, especially those for animal feed [18].…”