January 18, 2017
BIOMIN's mycotoxin product ingredient receives positive scientific opinion from EFSA
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a positive Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of Biomin® BBSH 797 used in Mycofix® for the application in poultry feed.
EFSA acknowledged the efficacy of Biomin BBSH 797 in safely biotransforming trichothecenes into non-toxic compounds in the gastrointestinal tract of poultry, as demonstrated in numerous feeding trials.
"In vitro and in vivo studies showed that the inclusion of the additive at the recommended dose of 1.7 x 108 CFU/kg was effective in reducing contaminating DON in feed when given to avian species with a concomitant production of the less toxic de-epoxy metabolite," read the EFSA Opinion.
Besides in vitro and ex vivo studies, the efficacy was proven by in vivo studies in chickens and turkeys for fattening, and laying hens. In all three, the inclusion of the additive returned the concentration of DON in excreta to or below the level seen in the uncontaminated control group.
"This is a promising step in achieving an additional EU authorisation for Biomin BBSH 797. Stringent EFSA guidelines set a high bar for additive manufacturers. BIOMIN is the only company that has provided sufficient in vivo data to prove product efficacy and receive EU authorisation for mycotoxin deactivation," stated Ursula Hofstetter, Director Competence Center Mycotoxins at BIOMIN.
EFSA just recently published a positive scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of another Mycofix ingredient - FUMzyme® - for the application in feed for all avian species in November 2016: /contents/11-15-2016/865aa08e-52e3-4411-bb1d-9e23218efd13-a181.html
According to recently published scientific findings, more than 79% of 1,113 feed and raw commodity samples tested contained deoxynivalenol. Deoxynivalenol, a member of the trichothecene family also known as vomitoxin, is a well-known mycotoxin that has been linked to feed refusal, impaired gut health, diarrhoea and pasty vents, decreased resistance to environmental and microbial stressors and increased susceptibility to disease.
Biomin BBSH 797 was shown to be safe for birds. According to the Opinion, "Chickens for fattening, turkeys for fattening and laying hens show no adverse effects when the additive is added to diets at either x10 or x1000 the recommended dose." Furthermore, the "FEEDAP Panel concludes that the additive is safe for the consumer and environment."
Due to the molecular structure of trichothecenes, adsorptive substances, or binders, are not effective to counteract trichothecenes. Biomin BBSH 797 is the first-ever EU authorised microorganism that biotransforms trichothecenes into harmless metabolites.
