Aflatoxin Contamination in Animal Feeds May Harm Broiler Chicken Health and Production

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the Vietnam National University of Agriculture have discovered that aflatoxin contamination in animal feeds can negatively impact broiler chicken health and production. The study found that adding capable binding agents, such as * * Saccharomyces cerevisiae* *, can ameliorate and detoxify the adverse effects of aflatoxin. The researchers conducted a 3 x 2 factorial experiment to investigate the effect of aflatoxin B1 and * * Saccharomyces cerevisiae* * on growth performance, blood parameters, and carcass characteristics.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved 648 mixed-gender 1-day-old Ross-308 broiler chickens, which were randomly allocated to dietary treatments consisting of three levels of aflatoxin B1 (0, 20, and 60 g/kg) and with or without * * Saccharomyces cerevisiae* * (10[superscript]10 cells/kg) supplementation.
  • The results showed that both aflatoxin B1 and * * Saccharomyces cerevisiae* * increased average daily feed intake, with * * p* * = 0.009 for * * Saccharomyces cerevisiae* *.
  • The study found that dietary aflatoxin B1 increased the activity of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, with * * p* * = 0.009.
  • The researchers concluded that * * Saccharomyces cerevisiae* * can be used as a natural binder to reduce aflatoxicosis in poultry production systems.
  • The study was published in the journal Applied Microbiology, with the title "Dietary * * Saccharomyces cerevisiae* * Ameliorates the Adverse Effects of Aflatoxin B1 on Growth Performance, Haematological and Biochemical Parameters in Broiler Chickens."

Statistics:

  • A total of 648 broiler chickens were used in the study.
  • Three levels of aflatoxin B1 (0, 20, and 60 g/kg) were used in the experiment.
  • The supplementation of * * Saccharomyces cerevisiae* * (10[superscript]10 cells/kg) was also tested.
  • The average daily feed intake increased with the addition of * * Saccharomyces cerevisiae* * (* * p* * = 0.009).
  • The activity of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase increased with dietary aflatoxin B1 (* * p* * = 0.009).

Sources:

  • Vietnam National University of Agriculture
  • Life Science Weekly
  • Applied Microbiology (MDPI AG)
  • DOI: 10.3390/applmicrobiol5030099