MOLDY GRAINS,

MYCOTOXINS AND FEEDING

PROBLEMS
Dr.KEDAR KARKI
 Introduction
• Fungi produce an array of chemical
products known as secondary metabolites.
 Introduction
• Penicillin is an example of a secondary
metabolite with medicinal applications.
 Introduction
• Unfortunately, not all secondary
metabolites are as useful as penicillin.
 Introduction
• Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of
fungal origin that are toxic to animals and
humans.
 Introduction

• Disease that results from ingestion of

mycotoxin-contaminated feed or food by
animals or humans is called
mycotoxicosis.
 Introduction
• Common examples of mycotoxicosis are
mushroom poisoning and ergotism.
 Introduction
• Among the thousands of species of fungi, only
about 100 are known to produce mycotoxins.
Under favorable environmental conditions, some
toxigenic molds can produce mycotoxins on
agricultural commodities during plant growth, or
after harvest in storage and shipment. Some of
the agricultural commodities affected are cereal
grains, soybeans, peanuts and forage crops.
Mycotoxin-contaminated feeds are of critical
importance due to their potential hazard to
livestock and poultry. Additionally, contaminated
food grains can affect human health.
 Introduction
• , the most common feed sources with
mycotoxin contamination problems are
corn, wheat, forage and silage crops.
However, producers should be aware that
mycotoxin problems can be associated
with grains and grain products purchased
off the farm or mixed in feed rations.
Mycotoxin problems are often aggravated
by poor storage conditions
 symptoms of mycotoxicosis
• General symptoms of mycotoxicosis in
domestic animals are: loss of appetite,
poor weight gain, feed refusal, diarrhea,
bleeding and unthriftiness.
•
 Mycotoxicosis
• Mycotoxicosis is generally characterized by the
following features:
• The disease is not contagious
• Antibiotics and drugs have little effect in
controlling the disease
• Outbreaks are often seasonal
• The problem is associated with a specific feed
• Analytic assay of the feed indicates the
presence of toxic metabolites
 PREVENTIVE PRACTICES

• Prevention is the best method to control

mold growth and possible toxin formation.
The following practices can help minimize
mold growth and subsequent toxin
production in storage
 Preharvest

• Clean inside and outside of grain bins and

dryers.
• Prior to storage, check the condition of the bin
for possible water leaks, and clean it properly by
removing dust, dirt, leftover grain and other
foreign material.
• Crop rotation in many regions or tillage can
reduce the risk of Gibberella ear rot in corn and
Fusarium head blight of wheat. These practices
have little effect on other corn ear rots.
 Post harvest

• The crops should be allowed to mature in

the field to the following moisture contents:
shelled corn, 23-25%; ear corn, 20-25%;
small grain, 12-17%; and soybeans, 11-
15%.
• Upon storage, dry the grain to 13-14%, if
possible, within 48 hours. Long-term storage can
be achieved at a uniform moisture of 18% for
ear corn; 13% for sorghum, wheat and shelled
corn; and 11% for soybeans.
• After drying, store under cool temperatures (36-
44° F).
• Every few weeks check the condition of the grain
for temperature, wet spots and insects.
 Grain treatments

• Antifungal treatments can be applied to

grain to reduce mold growth in storage.
These products, such as proprionic acid,
do not kill the mold already present nor do
they reduce toxins already present in the
grain. Do not use antifungal agents on
stored grain unless you are certain the
grain can be marketed after treatment.
 Grain treatments

• Hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate

(HSCAS) (Novasil) can reduce the effects
of aflatoxins when fed to swine, cattle, or
poultry. HSCAS at 10 lb./ton provides
substantial protection against dietary
aflatoxins.
 Common mycotoxins important
for Livestock
• AFLATOXINS
• Toxin Characteristics
• Aflatoxins, secondary metabolites produced by
some strains of Aspergillus flavus and A.
parasiticus, are the most commonly occurring
mycotoxins in feedstuffs worldwide.
• Aflatoxins are a group of highly toxic metabolites
that includes specific forms designated as B1,
B2, G1, G2, M1 and M2.