February 24, 2022
2021 DSM Mycotoxin Survey: A spotlight on Asia
The DSM Mycotoxin Survey constitutes the longest running and most comprehensive survey of its kind, using state-of-the-art analytic tools and compiling more than 112,000 analyses conducted on more than 24,000 samples worldwide.
This vast number of samples gives an overview of the main threats caused by the six main agricultural relevant mycotoxin groups including aflatoxins (Afla), zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 toxin (T-2), fumonisins (FUM) and ochratoxin A (OTA).
In Asia, DSM has conducted over 4,300 different analyses during 2021. Figure 1 illustrates the mycotoxin occurrence data for APAC as a percentage of all samples tested, as well as the percentage of samples that contained more than one mycotoxin, a phenomenon called co-contamination.
Figure 1. Prevalence of major mycotoxins in APAC. The graph on the left shows the prevalence in % per samples tested. The graph on the right shows how many samples contained more than one mycotoxin (>1mtx), as well as how many samples contained at least one mycotoxin (1) and how many contained mycotoxin concentrations below the limit of detection (<LOD).
The overall risk for Asia is high, with all major mycotoxins present at average concentrations that could negatively affect the health and productivity of livestock. The most prevalent mycotoxins in APAC are Fusarium mycotoxins such as DON, ZEN and FUM, followed by Afla. This pattern is conserved among all commodities worldwide.
The most contaminated commodities in APAC are corn and its by-products such as DDGS and corn gluten meal. The average levels of Afla in corn are worrisome for the dairy industry, given the need to maintain the levels of aflatoxin M1 below specific regulatory levels. Nearly 100% of corn samples and by products contain more than one mycotoxin.
The second most contaminated commodity is wheat and its by-products such as wheat bran, recording a high prevalence of DON, FUM, ZEN, T-2 and OTA. The average levels of DON represent a high risk for poultry and swine. Co-contamination in wheat and by products is higher than 70%, thus increasing the overall risk due to mycotoxin synergistic interactions.
The third most contaminated commodity is rice bran, recording a very high prevalence of ZEN (83%), FUM (69%), Afla (53%) and OTA (37%). Although the average concentrations represent a medium risk for poultry and swine, 84% of samples are co-contaminated, thus increasing the overall risk due to mycotoxin synergistic interactions.
The fourth most contaminated commodity is soybean, recording a high prevalence of ZEN (59%), FUM (48%), OTA (46%) and DON (44%). The average levels of DON represent a high risk for piglets and a medium risk for sow and poultry. Co-contamination in soyabean is 71%, thus increasing the overall risk due to mycotoxin synergistic interactions.
Australia
The country shows a low prevalence of all major mycotoxins except for FUM that was detected in 53% of samples analysed.
Despite the low prevalence, average risk levels of ZEN and FUM are high for all livestock and risk levels for DON are medium for poultry and swine. Co-contamination in Australia is 17%.
India
The country shows a high prevalence of all major mycotoxins, with Afla being the most prevalent (87%), followed by OTA (82%) and FUM (71%). Levels of FUM and DON represent a medium to high risk for poultry and the levels of Afla represent a severe risk for dairy.
Given a co-contamination of 93%, the overall risk assessment for India is high and producers are advised to implement mycotoxin deactivating strategies.
Indonesia
The most prevalent mycotoxin in Indonesia is FUM, detected in 89% of samples, followed by Afla (70%), ZEN (51%) and DON (36%). The average levels of Afla might represent a severe risk for dairy producers, whereas levels of DON and FUM represent a medium risk for poultry. However, given a co-contamination of 88%, the overall risk assessment for the country is high and producers are advised to implement mycotoxin deactivating strategies.
Japan
The most prevalent mycotoxin detected in Japan is DON (76%), followed by FUM (57%) and ZEN (45%). The average levels represent a medium risk for poultry and swine. The overall co-contamination is 60%, thus increasing the overall risk due to mycotoxin synergistic interactions.
South Korea
The country shows a high prevalence of FUM (77%) and DON (73%). The third most prevalent mycotoxin is ZEN (32%). The average levels represent a medium risk for poultry and swine. The overall co-contamination is 74%, thus increasing the overall risk due to mycotoxin synergistic interactions.
Malaysia
The country shows a high prevalence of FUM, which was detected in all samples analysed. DON is the second most prevalent mycotoxin (66%), followed by ZEN (34%) and Afla (24%). The average levels represent a medium risk for poultry and swine. The overall co-contamination is 79%, thus increasing the overall risk due to mycotoxin synergistic interactions.
The Philippines
The most prevalent mycotoxin detected in the country is FUM (97%), followed by Afla (83%). The average levels represent a medium risk for poultry and swine. The overall co-contamination is 93%, thus increasing the overall risk due to mycotoxin synergistic interactions.
Taiwan
Taiwan shows a high prevalence of FUM (94%). DON is the second most prevalent mycotoxin (63%), followed by ZEN (37%). The average levels represent a medium risk for poultry and swine. The overall co-contamination is 73%, thus increasing the overall risk due to mycotoxin synergistic interactions.
Thailand
The country shows a high prevalence of FUM (78%). Afla is the second most prevalent mycotoxin (42%), followed by ZEN (33%). The average levels represent a medium risk for livestock. The overall co-contamination is 58%, thus increasing the overall risk due to mycotoxin synergistic interactions.
Vietnam
The most prevalent mycotoxin detected in Vietnam is FUM (81%), followed by DON (61%) and Afla (47%). The average levels represent a medium to high risk for livestock. The overall co-contamination is 74%, thus increasing the overall risk due to mycotoxin synergistic interactions.
North and South American corn
US corn shows a high prevalence of DON (70%), followed by FUM (69%). ZEN is the third most prevalent mycotoxin (31%). The average levels represent a high risk for all livestock. The overall co-contamination is 59%, thus increasing the overall risk due to mycotoxin synergistic interactions.
Argentinian corn shows a high prevalence of FUM (64%), followed by DON (50%). ZEN was the third most prevalent mycotoxin (33%). The average levels represent a high risk for swine and a medium risk for poultry. The overall co-contamination is 55%, thus increasing the overall risk due to mycotoxin synergistic interactions.
Brazilian corn shows a high prevalence of FUM (88%), followed by DON (43%). T-2 toxin is the third most prevalent mycotoxin (40%). The average levels represent a high risk for swine and a medium risk for poultry, the high prevalence of T-2 might represent a higher concern for the poultry industry. The overall co-contamination is 45%, thus increasing the overall risk due to mycotoxin synergistic interactions.
South American soybean
Argentinian soybean shows a high prevalence of ZEN (75%), followed by Afla (61%). OTA is the third most prevalent mycotoxin (50%), and T-2 the fourth most prevalent one (41%). The average levels represent a medium risk for livestock, but the high prevalence of ZEN, T-2 toxin and Afla might pose a bigger threat to animals. The overall co-contamination is 58%, thus increasing the overall risk due to mycotoxin synergistic interactions.
Brazilian soybean shows a relatively low prevalence of mycotoxins. The most prevalent mycotoxin is DON (32%), followed by T-2 (22%), ZEN (16%) and OTA (11%). The average levels represent a medium risk for livestock. The overall co-contamination is 15%
Conclusion
The 2021 DSM Mycotoxin survey highlights a significant risk associated to mycotoxins in Asia. When evaluating any possible impact on feed and animal production, it is important to consider that mycotoxins occur in cocktails and combining different ingredients implies creating more complex mycotoxin cocktails that will increase the overall risk.
Testing raw materials and finished feeds on a regular basis, as well as using a broad-spectrum mycotoxin deactivator for the whole production cycle will protect feed quality and boost animal performance, thus ensuring a consistent revenue, especially in times of high feed prices.
The full 2021 DSM Mycotoxin survey report can be downloaded here: https://www.dsm.com/anh/products-and-services/tools/mycotoxin-contamination/biomin-mycotoxin-survey.html
- Michele Muccio, MSc. Regional Product Manager, Mycotoxin Risk Management, DSM
