Continuous Fermentation Systems as an Alternative Technique for studying mycotoxin effects on nutrient digestion in ruminants. Advances in research on toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins in south America ensuring food and feed

TAPIA, M. O.; ROIGÉ, M. B.; SORACI, A. L.

Villa Carlos Paz, Córdoba, Argentina

Conferencia; Myco-Globe Argentina 2006 - Conference; 2006

Univ. Nac. Río Cuarto, UBA, Univ. Nac. de Luján

Alterations in the rumen digestion of dry matter or production of microbial end products have adverse effects on the production and health of the ruminant animal. Continuous culture fermentation systems that simulate ruminal environment have been developed to study factors affecting ruminal microbial ecology and digestion of nutrients. Advantages of these systems compared with in vivo measurements include decreased cost, time and variation among experimental units. Advantages over other in vitro systems such as the batch culture are addition of substrate and removal of end products, regulation of saliva, temperature, flow rates, pH and anaerobic conditions. Effects of mycotoxins on rumen fermentation are measured using volatile fatty acids, ammonia and microbial production, and in vitro fiber digestion. So far, in our laboratory, this in vitro system has been successfully used to study the toxic effects of patulin on rumen fermentation.