BLOGS > MYCOTOXIN MANAGEMENT: FROM ANALYSIS TO FEED PROTECTION

Why mycotoxin analysis matters

Mycotoxins are a global concern in agricultural commodities used for animal feed. A ten-year monitoring study, published in 2019 [1], showed that 88% of 74,821 feed and raw material samples collected from 100 countries were contaminated with at least one mycotoxin. The presence of mycotoxins in agricultural commodities intended for animal feed can have significant negative effects on animal health. This includes immune suppression, liver and gastrointestinal damage, reduced fertility, and decreased productivity. [2]

This makes feed analysis an important first step. Without knowing which mycotoxins are present, and at what concentration, it becomes difficult to select the most suitable feed protection strategy.

The reason for our research

To address this challenge of mycotoxins negative effects on animal health, Olus developed the Olus®Tox portfolio of feed additives. These additives are designed to bind and/or deactivate relevant mycotoxins, helping to reduce their impact on animal health and performance. In addition to providing this solution, Olus aims to support customers with evidence-based advice.

Within the Olus®Tox portfolio, different variants are available for different mycotoxin challenges and practical feed situations.

The product recommendation depends on which mycotoxins are detected in the sample. Olus®Tox Bronze is designed for samples where AFLA, OTA, and/or ZEN are the main challenges. When DON, FUM, or T-2 are detected, Olus®Tox Silver or Olus®Tox Gold is recommended, depending on the overall mycotoxin profile and practical feed situation.

However, effective mycotoxin management starts before product selection. It starts with reliable insight into the feed sample.

That is why Olus wanted to investigate how feed sample analysis could be used to make more accurate and better substantiated recommendations for the use of Olus®Tox additives.

Materials & methods

During a 20-week research project, intern Ruben Minnema, who studies Biology and Medical Laboratory Research at Saxion University of Applied Sciences in Deventer, the Netherlands, investigated the use of a lateral flow assay (LFA) for the analysis of mycotoxins in agricultural commodities. LFA is a rapid screening analysis that provides practical insight into the presence and concentration range of selected mycotoxins. When more detailed confirmation is needed, additional laboratory analysis can be used.

The research was carried out in cooperation with Johannes Fuite, Nick Slagman, and laboratory technician Lidia Last.

The research focused on three main steps:

• Analysis method: the suitability of a lateral flow assay (LFA) was investigated. This method is based on the principle of a competitive immunoassay, in which mycotoxins present in the sample compete with added mycotoxin antigens for binding sites on specific labeled antibodies. The resulting antibody-antigen interactions generate a color reaction on the test strip.
• Measurement and validation: the intensity of this color signal is measured by a lateral flow device (LFD) and translated into a mycotoxin concentration. In this system, the color signal is inversely proportional to the concentration of mycotoxins in the sample. Validation measurements were used to assess whether the method is suitable for rapid analysis across different concentration ranges, such as low, moderate, and high levels.
• Interpretation and reporting: research was conducted into acceptable mycotoxin concentrations to correctly interpret the analysis results and place them in the proper context. A digital request procedure was also developed to process analysis requests efficiently, and a clear report format was created to present the analysis results and support practical recommendations.

Results and practical interpretation

The validation measurements indicated that the LFA method can be used as a rapid screening method to detect the six most common mycotoxins in agricultural commodities:

• Aflatoxin
• Deoxynivalenol
• Fumonisin
• Ochratoxin
• Zearalenone
• T-2 toxin

The results classify samples into practical concentration ranges, such as low, moderate, and high, and form the basis for a targeted Olus®Tox recommendation.

In addition, research was conducted into acceptable mycotoxin concentrations to correctly interpret the analysis results and place them in the proper context. A digital request procedure was also developed to ensure that analysis requests are processed efficiently, and a report format was created to present the analysis results clearly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Olus is now able to map the problem and provide analysis-based advice on the most suitable Olus®Tox variant, depending on which mycotoxins are present in an agricultural crop sample.

Together with an efficient analysis request procedure and a clear reporting system, this enables more accurate and well-informed recommendations regarding Olus®Tox. This means that mycotoxin analysis can be translated into a targeted feed protection strategy.

Want to translate feed analysis into a more targeted mycotoxin strategy? Contact our team to discuss the right Olus®Tox approach for your feed situation.

Sources

 [1] C. Gruber-Dorninger, T. Jenkins, en G. Schatzmayr, “Global Mycotoxin Occurrence in Feed: A Ten-Year Survey”, Toxins, vol. 11, nr. 7, p. 375, jun. 2019, doi: 10.3390/toxins11070375.

 [2] M. Lach en K. Kotarska, “Negative Effects of Occurrence of Mycotoxins in Animal Feed and Biological Methods of Their Detoxification: A Review”, Molecules, vol. 29, nr. 19, p. 4563, sep. 2024, doi: 10.3390/molecules29194563.

About the author

Ruben Minnema – Research Lab Intern

Ruben Minnema joined Olus in February this year as our Research Lab Intern. He is in the final year of his degree in Biology and Medical Laboratory Research.