Biotransformation strategies for effective mycotoxin deactivation

Abstract

Occurrence of mycotoxins is ubiquitous which is why it represents a worldwide problem for the animal industry. Even with the use of prevention techniques in the field or during storage, it is actually impossible to avoid their presence in agricultural commodities. Due to modern analytical methods and thanks to a growing interest in this field of research, more than 300 different mycotoxins have currently been differentiated. The toxicity of different mycotoxins brings serious risks upon humans and animals. Mycotoxicoses are animal or human diseases caused by mycotoxin ingestion, inhalation or skin-contact. In animals, these range from immunosuppression and performance effects to hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, neurotoxic, dermal, carcinogenic, reproductive, teratogenic and gastro-intestinal effects depending on animal-, environmental- and toxin-related factors. The most applied method for protecting animals against aflatoxicosis is the utilization of clay minerals mixed with feed which are supposed to bind the mycotoxins efficiently in the gastro-intestinal tract. Binders are only very specific for aflatoxins but not for other toxins and that is why a novel strategy to control the problem of mycotoxicoses in animals had to be developed. It is the application of microorganisms capable of biotransforming mycotoxins into non-toxic metabolites. Biotransformation and biodegradation are mycotoxin-specific methods which rely in microorganisms and enzymes’ capacity of metabolization or degradation of mycotoxins into less or non-toxic metabolites prior to their absorption in the gastro-intestinal tract. Some microorganisms have shown biotransformation capacity both in vitro and in vivo, representing effective tools for counteracting negative effects of mycotoxins in animal feed.