Ing. Jaromír Stryk, Ing. Jiří Adrýsek, PhD – Addicoo Group s.r.o.
Currently, there are no practical methods available for detoxification of feed and feed ingredients contaminated with mycotoxins that would be applicable on a large scale and at the same time affordable. One of the most practical methods is the addition of adsorbent materials to animal feed. These adsorbents reduce the absorption of mycotoxins in the digestive tract of animals. Clays represent an important group of products that are used worldwide to reduce the incidence of mycotoxicosis; at the same time, all “anti-mycotoxin” preparations and mycotoxin inactivators are mainly based on clays.
Complex aluminosilicates (HSCAS)
Clays are complex and highly diverse aluminosilicates that have a variety of functional properties. Clays are often lumped together into one category of substances. However, this can be very misleading as there are many different types of clays. Most types of clay are not able to bind mycotoxins; some are able to bind water, others ammonia and only certain clays are able to adsorb mycotoxins.
The first effective mineral adsorbent was called hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS), and this nomenclature is used for other types of these compounds. Since the name HSCAS is generic, it does not completely define the specific material used. Most of the compounds capable of binding mycotoxins are defined as bentonite, which belongs to the phyllosilicate group.
Not all clays capable of adsorbing mycotoxins are equally effective in protecting animals against the toxic effects of mycotoxins. Some adsorbents such as montmorillonite are not always the best. Furthermore, the adsorption capacity of some clays can vary depending on their geological origin.
In addition to origin, formation mechanism and structure, also chemical composition, surface acidity (pH), electrical charge (polarity), distribution of exchangeable cations, porosity and extensibility determine the mycotoxin binding potential.
Efficacy supported by in-vitro and in vivo testing
The effectiveness of mycotoxin adsorbents is tested using in vitro and in vivo tests, which allow obtaining statistically significant effectiveness in preventing mycotoxicosis. The dose of adsorbent, the concentration of mycotoxins, pH and reaction time in these tests must always be stated in the test protocol and results interpretation. It is also necessary to demonstrate the harmlessness of the product in the absence of mycotoxins.
Clays and aflatoxin adsorption
Most clay-based preparations are effective in preventing aflatoxins. These are clays that are produced by a simple manufacturing process, i.e. grinding, drying and final packaging. Most of these clays, which significantly reduce the toxic effects of aflatoxins, are effective at a dose of 2 – 5 kg/t of feed.
Fortisorb Premium – purified and activated phyllosilicate
In recent years, several processes have been developed for the production of purified and activated phyllosilicate (bentonite-montmorillonite type), with the trade name Fortisorb Premium. The aim of the modifications was to achieve the highest possible adsorption efficiency for binding fusarium toxins, such as zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, fumonisin and T-2 toxin, but also aflatoxins. This is a very complex production process, during which the physicochemical characteristics of the clay as surface, particle side, cation exchange capacity etc. are changed. This process leads to achieving fast and high adsorption efficiency of a wide range of toxins at a very low dose of 0.5 to 1 kg/t of feed in pH.
Conclusion Clay-based products are the most effective adsorbents of mycotoxins. However, they come in different forms with different properties. Most can bind only aflatoxins, some absorb water, others ammonia. Only modified phyllosilicates produced with sophisticated purification and activation process can adsorb a wide range of mycotoxins. Efficacy of Fortibac Premium has been verified in over 20 in vitro tests and 8 in vivo scientific and field studies.