Mycotoxin threats rising worldwide.

The threat of mycotoxins are rising worldwide according to a survey recently conducted by Biomin. Corn, soy and finished feed saw a rise in mycotoxin contamination levels in the first quarter of 2017, with deoxynivalenol (DON) the most prevalent mycotoxin, according to Biomin’s Mycotoxin Survey. Mycotoxin contamination levels have risen in Europe and throughout the western hemisphere, with elevated risk levels also in Asia. Then DON,then the fumonisins (FUM) are the most prevalent mycotoxin worldwide, the survey showed, with DON detected in 80 percent of samples and FUM in 71 percent. The survey also found that 76 percent of feed and raw commodity samples contained two or more mycotoxins. Multiple mycotoxin contamination of feed presents additional problems, as certain combinations of mycotoxins are known to have synergistic effects that aggravate the negative consequences for animals. The main fusarium mycotoxins are frequently related to subclinical symptoms which are not so obvious but usually have a greater economic impact for the industry. The Symptoms of DON contamination in animals include reduced feed intake and feed refusal. According to Biomin, research has shown the combination of DON and FUM in animal feed severely impair vaccine response and gut health.