Mold inhibitors versus mycotoxin binders
Swine diets consisting primarily of corn have the highest risk of mycotoxin exposure from spoilage in the fields or storage of the corn. Mycotoxins thrive in the presence of mold on the corn itself, so areas of the country that have higher humidity are at higher risk for mycotoxin introduction.
Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi that grow on crops in the field, during handling and storage. Molds produce mycotoxins under a wide variety of conditions. They enter the animal production system through feed (concentrate, silage or fodder) or through bedding. Some toxins tend to be more common in temperate or tropical climates, but most fungi and mycotoxins are found throughout the world. Mycotoxins non-constructively affect animal performance, animal health and product quality.
Mycotoxin control is critical to production economics and product quality. Mycotoxins show their effects in four different ways:
1. Reduced consumption or rejection of food
2. Alteration in the nutrient content of the feed in terms of nutrient absorption and metabolism
3. Effects on the endocrine and exocrine systems
4. Immune system suppression
Mycotoxins show a variety of biological results:
1. Liver and kidney toxicity
2. Central nervous system malfunction
3. Fertility and reproduction problems
4. Effect on immunity
5. Mycotoxins are also deposited in the food supply chain (eg milk, eggs, meat) and therefore pose a risk to human health.
Long-term goals should be to decrease mycotoxin exposure amounts through the use of mold inhibitors and control of their food sources. It is important to remember that mold inhibitors cannot destroy mycotoxins.
Mold inhibitors are used as feed additives to reduce the level of mold growth in grain storage facilities, thereby minimizing the risk of mycotoxin-producing grains spreading through the feed. The most commonly used are propionic acid and other organic acids. However, preventing mold growth does not really address existing mycotoxins present in contaminated food.
Mycotoxin binders are substances that actually capture mycotoxins in the mold grain exposure system and prevent them from being absorbed into the gut and bloodstream of the animal. If other mold containment attempts have failed, a mycotoxin binder will fix the problem.
If it is too costly to routinely check for mycotoxins or mold exposure, the regular addition of a mycotoxin binder will keep cattle free of mycotoxicosis.
T-BINDTM has been shown to capture more than just aflatoxins like most other competitor products and will resist other mycotoxins such as vomitoxin.