Mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxins in animal feed in South American countries

MAGNOLI C.E; CAVAGLIERI L.R; ROSA C.A.R; DALCERO A.M

Mycotoxins in Food, Feed and Bioweapons

Springer Verlag

Lugar: Berlin Heidelberg; Año: 2010; p. 229 - 250

Animal feed industry is an integral and growing segment of the food supply chain in Latinamerica Argentine. It supplies the necessary feed ingredients to produce healthy animals which provide food protein and energy that are essential for human beings. When fungal toxigenic species are present in raw materials used for food elaboration, there is a significant risk of contamination with the secondary metabolites of these fungi called mycotoxins, which are various molecules that may be harmful to animals and humans. Pre- and post-harvest contamination of food and feed crops by mycotoxigenic fungi is a common problem. Although there are geographic and climatic differences in the production and occurrence of mycotoxins, exposure to these substances is worldwide (Kuiper-Goodman, 2004). The development of modern agricultural methods together with large-scale processing has increased the problem resulting in both acute diseases called mycotoxicoses and chronic conditions, often recognized as situations involving mycotoxins and impaired negatively in the health of animal (Dutton 1996, Binder et al 2007). The mycotoxins that present the most significant risks of mycotoxicosis in different animals (chickens, hens, ducks, turkeys, pigs, dairy cows, pets and rabbits) and humans are produced by species of Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium genus. The most significant from the first genera are aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OTA), from Fusarium mycotoxins, zearalenone (ZEA), vomitoxin or deoxynivalenol (DON), diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), fumonisins (FBs), T-2 toxin, monoacetoxyscirpenol, triacetoxyscirpenol, and escirpentriol, and from Penicillium genus citrinina and OTA. Patulin belongs more to the Penicillium mycotoxins, must be taken into account given that it presents a risk for humans. However, there is not sufficient evidence in order to classify this mycotoxin as a high risk for animal (Morgavi and Riley, 2007, CAST, 2003). Fungal species such as A. fumigatus, Byssochlamys nivea, Monascus spp., Penicillium roqueforti and Trichoderma spp. are the most frequent contaminants on ensilaged feed (Boysen et al. 2000, El-Shanawany et al. 2005, Garon et al. 2006, González Pereyra et al. 2007). Mycotoxins produced by A. fumigatus include tremorgens, clavine alkaloids that appear to be responsible for abortions and gliotoxin that affect immune systems (Belkacemi et al. 1999, Land et al. 1993, Moreau 1979, Yamada et al. 2000). A. fumigatus with toxin producing abilities are the predominant fungi in silage from Argentina (Cavaglieri et al. 2005, Pereyra et al. 2007. The presence of certain species of Acremonium, Phomopsis and Pithomyces in feeds has been associated with mycotoxins capable of trigger specific disorders in farm livestock, particularly ruminants (D´Mello and Macdonald, 1997). In addition, mycotoxins occur in the spores of many fungi, including Stachybotrys spp. A.fumigatus and Alternaria spp and inhalation therefore represents another route of entry into the body. The prevalent environmental conditions in the certain region of Argentina and some countries of South America together with inadequate feed storage provide suitable conditions for fungal development. The purpose of this chapter is to present information on the mycoflora, toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins in raw materials ingredients and ready animal feed in Argentina and other various South American countries.