German researchers have found mycotoxins in all 62 commercial horse feeds sampled in a recent study.
The researchers, from the Justus Liebig University in Giessen and the Ludwig Maximilians University in Oberschleissheim, in Germany, found deoxynivalenol (DON) in all 62 samples they tested.
All samples were analysed for six different mycotoxins (mycotoxin groups): deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), fumonisin B1 (FB1), T-2 toxin (T-2), sum of T-2 + HT-2 toxin (T-2/HT2), ochratoxin A (OTA), and total ergot alkaloids (GEA).
All samples contained DON, T-2/HT-2, and T-2. ZEA was detected in 98% of the samples. Most samples (94%) were positive for FB1. Ergot alkaloids were detected in 61% of samples, and OTA was found in 42% of samples.
Most concentrations were, according to the researchers, well below the levels which are usually considered critical or even toxic.
The highest mycotoxin concentrations were mostly found in single-grain cereal feed: the maximum values for DON and FB1 were found in maize, the highest T-2/HT-2 toxin concentrations were found in oats, and the highest concentration of ergot alkaloids was found in barley.
• North American feed manufacturer Alltech has opened a toll-free mycotoxin hotline.
Concerns over mycotoxin contamination, particularly toxins produced by Fusarium molds including DON (vomitoxin), zearalenone, and fusaric acid, have arisen because of delays in the North American corn harvest.
This led Alltech, which makes Mycosorb and Mold-Zap, to establish the hotline, which is free to call in the US, on 866-322-3484.
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