The risks of mycotoxins in animal feed and their negative effects: A new and important review discussion

Abstract

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain filamentous fungi, such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium. These mycotoxins can contaminate animal feed, including grains, cereals, soybeans, and other crops, either directly from plant-based food components or through the growth of toxigenic fungi on food. The presence of mycotoxins in animal feed can have detrimental effects on animal health and performance, as well as pose a risk to human health through the consumption of animal-derived food products. Mycotoxins are toxic secondary fungal metabolites that can contaminate animal and poultry feed. These mycotoxins can have adverse effects on animal health and productivity when ingested through feed. Additionally, mycotoxins can be transferred into animal products such as meat, eggs, and milk, posing a risk to human health. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor the occurrence of mycotoxins in animal and poultry feed. To address mycotoxin contamination in feed, various regulatory guidelines and strict guidelines have been adopted by national and international public health and governmental. These guidelines aim to ensure the safety of animal feed and minimize the risk of mycotoxin exposure to animals and humans. Mycotoxins are toxic metabolites produced by fungi that can contaminate livestock and poultry feed, posing significant threats to animal health and productivity. Several mycotoxins have been reported to contaminate poultry feed and their ingredients, including aflatoxins (AFs), cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), fumonisins (FUMs), nivalenol (NIV), and zearalenone (ZEN). These mycotoxins can have destructive effects on animals, leading to various health issues.                                                                                  

Keywords: Contamination; fungi; Hygiene; mycotoxin