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Feed Ochratoxins Solution

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Sources of Ochratoxins Ochratoxin Hazards Feed Ochratoxins Solutions Service Workflow Why Choose Us?

Ochratoxins (OTs) are a group of mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium species, which have a wide presence. Among these mycotoxins, Ochratoxin A (OTA) is identified as a potent nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, and teratogenic compound. Contamination of animal feed with OTA in farm animals can adversely impact their health and productivity, potentially leading to the presence of OTA in animal-derived products. BioVenic has engineered a comprehensive platform dedicated to researching feed ochratoxins. Our solutions encompass ochratoxin detection, the development of animal feed additives, and the establishment of biological processes to mitigate the harmful effects associated with feed ochratoxins.

Sources of Ochratoxins

The sources of ochratoxins consist of three classes: Ochratoxin A (OTA), Ochratoxin B (OTB), and Ochratoxin C (OTC), all originating from Aspergillus and Penicillium species, predominantly A. ochraceus, A. carbonarius, A. niger, and P. verrucosum. These various ochratoxins are frequently produced simultaneously. Of these, OTA holds the greatest prevalence and significance as a fungal toxin, while OTB and OTC are of lesser importance.

Fig. 1 Ochratoxin A from Aspergillus sp. (Reddy, 2010)Fig. 1 Ochratoxin A from Aspergillus sp.1

Ochratoxin Hazards in Animals

Concerning the hazards of ochratoxins in animals, OTA displays nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, and carcinogenic properties across all mammalian species, with pigs and poultry being particularly vulnerable to OTA toxicity. Ruminant animals demonstrate more resilience to OTA toxicity compared to monogastrics. The detrimental impacts of OTA on the health and performance of diverse animals are elaborated in the subsequent table:

Table. 1 Adverse effects of dietary ochratoxin A in various animals

Animal Type Effects
Pigs
  • Considered highly sensitive to OTA nephrotoxicity.
  • Sub-chronic exposure in pigs can lead to OTA accumulation in feed materials and subsequently in meat products.
  • It impairs kidney and liver function and structure in piglets, affecting the growth performance of growing pigs in the long term.
Chickens
  • Reduction in egg production and egg weight in laying hens.
  • Impaired immune function in chicks.
  • Increased liver and kidney weight, decreased thymus weight, and liver lesions in growing chickens.
Fish
  • Decline in zootechnical performance, heightened intestinal permeability, and hepatopancreatic tissue changes in various juvenile herbivorous fish species.

Feed Ochratoxins Solutions

Our solutions for addressing ochratoxins in animal feed encompass the detection of ochratoxins, investigating their effects on animals, and aiding researchers in developing feed additives and biological processes to counteract the adverse impacts of ochratoxins.

  • Ochratoxin Analysis Solutions

Efficient and precise detection of ochratoxin levels is crucial for ensuring feed safety and forms the foundation for various studies related to ochratoxins. The predominant determinative method is reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with fluorescence detection (excitation 330-340 nm, emission 460-470 nm) or more recently, tandem mass spectrometry. Additionally, ELISA methods are also available. Beyond offering ochratoxin analysis services, we assist in devising innovative approaches for ochratoxin detection across diverse sample types.

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  • Feed Additive Development for Ochratoxins

Numerous feed additives exist to alleviate the detrimental effects of consuming ochratoxin-contaminated feed. Some of these additives are outlined in the table below. By integrating feed testing technologies with animal models, our Feed Additive Development for Mycotoxins solutions support animal nutrition researchers in formulating novel feed additives to counteract the harmful effects of ochratoxins in specific animal species.

Table. 2 Feed additives for the mitigation of ochratoxins

Additives Descriptions
Trichosporon mycotoxinivorans Inclusion of 0.5 to 2.0 g/kg of Trichosporon mycotoxinivorans (TR) in contaminated feed (OTA, 0.15 to 1.0 mg/kg) effectively suppressed the immunotoxicity of OTA in broiler chicks.
Curcumin Ducks exposed to 16% mouldy corn (OTA at 2 mg/kg) with curcumin at 400 mg/kg for 21 days displayed noteworthy changes in body weight, with average daily feed intake and gain akin to normal ducks.
Bentonite clay Supplementation of bentonite clay in OTA-polluted feed positively influenced the immune system of broilers.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae Saccharomyces cerevisiae lessened the effects of OTA in sheep.
Esterified-glucomannan The OTA-contaminated diet supplemented with esterified-glucomannan exhibited increased body weight gain in broilers.
  • Development of Biological Detoxification for Ochratoxins in Animal Feed

Two primary biological detoxification strategies exist for managing ochratoxins in animal feed: enzymatic biodegradation and microbial biosorption. Our Feed Biological Detoxification Development solutions assist animal nutrition researchers in creating enzymes that degrade ochratoxins and evaluating the efficacy of microbial fermentation in reducing ochratoxin levels. Instances of biological detoxification of OTA are highlighted in the table below:

OTA Detoxification Microorganisms OTA Detoxification Enzymes
  • Bifidobacterium animalis and Lactobacillus acidophilus
  • Oenococcus oeni
  • Aureobasidium pullulans
  • Lachancea thermotolerans
  • Metschnikowia pulcherrima
  • Rhodococcus erythropolis
  • Pichia guilliemonodiior
  • Carboxypeptidase
  • Lipase (potential)
  • Peptidase
  • Enzymes from several microorganisms such as Phenylobacterium immobile, Trichosporon, Rhodotorula, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus japonicus
  • Animal Study Solutions for Ochratoxins

Our repertoire includes a diverse array of in vitro and in vivo models tailored for a spectrum of animal studies related to ochratoxins. Our animal nutrition and metabolism analysis and omics techniques can dissect proteins, metabolites, and microbial compositions within various animal samples. These models and techniques serve as valuable tools for investigating toxin hazards, the efficacy of additives in mitigating ochratoxin toxicity, the impact of biological detoxification processes, toxicity mechanisms, and provide a theoretical foundation for crafting suitable applications.

Service Workflow of Feed Ochratoxins Solution

Fig. 2 Service workflow of feed ochratoxins solution (BioVenic Original)

Why Choose Us?

With extensive experience in mycotoxin research pertaining to livestock and companion animals, our team matches products and services precisely to your research requisites.

Covering a wide range of animals like pigs, chickens, cattle, small ruminants, and companion animals, we offer solutions encompassing in vivo and in vitro testing.

We possess an array of feed testing and animal nutrition-related metabolite testing technologies, enabling a multi-faceted examination of feed ochratoxin effects on animals.

BioVenic's advanced ochratoxin analysis technologies and animal models in vivo and in vitro cater to the specific needs of animal species like pigs and chickens. For those seeking ochratoxin solutions in animal feed development, we provide technical support and product development services for ochratoxin detection in feed and other samples. We aid in developing feed additives and biological detoxification methods to alleviate the adverse effects of feed ochratoxins on animal health. Contact us with your research requirements for innovative solutions and tailored services.

Reference

  1. Reddy, Lalini, and Kanti Bhoola. "Ochratoxins-food contaminants: impact on human health." Toxins vol. 2,4 (2010): 771-9. Under Open Access license CC BY 3.0, without modification.
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