IMPACT OF USING SOME BINDING MATERIALS TO REDUCE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF MYCOTOXINS IN LACTATING ANIMAL DIETS

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate the ability of Egyptian clay minerals (Montmorillonite, Bentonite) to bind mycotoxins (AFB1 & ZEN) in feed. The study consisted of two main parts; Part 1 is the in vitro study was divided into two trials; the first was a survey trial aiming to determine mycotoxins (AFB1 & ZEN) in feed ingredients which are commonly used in animal feeds (especially corn) to detect the possibility of contamination in feeds. The second in vitro trial was a comparative study for the ability of some sorbent materials such as Egyptian clay minerals (Montmorillonite, Bentonite) and imported (HSCAS and Zeolite) to bind AFB1 and ZEN in aqueous solution and determination the best ratios of sorbent materials used based on the results of previous trial. Part 2 is the in-vivo study which was carried out to apply the best results of the in vitro study and assess their effectiveness in the adsorption of AFB1 and ZEN from animal feed and the effects on the productive performance of lactating goats. This trial was conducted at a private farm station of animal production, Damanhur, Beheira governorate, Egypt and Laboratory of Milk Production, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt during the period of May 2014 and lasted for three months. Fifteen lactating crossed (Nubian x Baladi) goats of about 2-2.5 years old with an average body weight of about 19-21 kg in the first week of lactation were used in the presented study. The animals were randomly assigned among three experimental treatments (five animals each). The whole feeding period of this trial was 90 days. The experimental samples have been collected every 30 days. Animals were fed three experimental treatments: Control: 60% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) + 40% berseem hay. Bentonite: 60% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) + 40% berseem hay + 2% Bentonite clay as a percentage from concentrates. Montmorillonite: 60% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) + 40% berseem hay + 2% Montmorillonite clay as a percentage from concentrates.