The mycotoxic risk : danger and health impact in animal production

Abstract

Animal exposure to mycotoxin contaminated feeds demonstrates the effect of these natural contaminants on animal performances and on safety of food products of animal origin. Aflatoxine B1, fumonisin B1 and deoxynivalenol have been found to alter immune response in pigs with putative consequences in terms of susceptibility to infections. The same toxins modulate liver biotransformation enzymes, leading to possible changes in the normal fate or action of xenobiotic or endogenous compounds. In poultry, high exposure to fumonisins leads to lower duck or turkey production. Tissue residues of fumonisins have been detected in hepatic or renal tissues of these animals when exposed to levels corresponding to the upper limit of the European tolerance for maize. In ruminants, gliotoxin, patulin, roquefortin C and mycophenolic acid have been investigated as possible contaminants of fodder. All these toxins disturb ruminal fermentations. Through a national survey, residues of aflatoxin M1 and ochratoxin A have been detected in commercial milks. However, the measured concentrations are below the European regulatory level for each toxin.