Mycotoxin sequestrants: selective action and side effects

Feeds containing toxic metabolites of microscopic fungi pose a potential health hazard to animals and reduce their productivity. The purpose of the review is to summarize the experience of using sequestrants both for reducing the content of mycotoxins in feed and prevention of mycotoxicosis. The most numerous and widely used class of sequestering agents are sorbents. By chemical nature and origin, carbon sorbents, aluminosilicates, complex indigestible carbohydrates, and synthetic polymers are distinguished. Carbon sorbents exhibit adsorption activity toward substances of low and medium molecular weight. Zoocarb binds aflatoxins B1 by 89.6%, activated carbon adsorbs DON (deoxynivalenol) from a liquid medium by about 90%, and zearalenone by 100%. Clays and zeolites bind mainly aflatoxins. Bentonites in an acidic environment adsorb fumonisin B1. Alfalfa fibers bind zearalenone and T-2 toxin. Micronized wheat fiber effectively adsorbs ochratoxin A and reduces its content in liver and kidney tissues in laboratory animals. Red grape pomace can simultaneously adsorb aflatoxin B1, zearalenone, ochratoxin A and fumonisin B1. Glucomannans derived from the cell walls of the yeast of the genus Saccharomyces are effective against a wide range of mycotoxins. Cholestyramine in vitro binds ochratoxin A, fumonisins and zearalenone. Many of probiotic bacteria are also capable of adsorbing mycotoxins. When using inorganic sorbents, the problem is the increased intake of microelements contained in them into the animal body. In addition, the ion exchange process can lead to the adsorption of minerals, vitamins and nutrients from the feed. Currently, modifiers that can increase the efficiency of adsorption and reduce adverse side effects of sorbents are already underway.