March 3, 2011
Managing moulds and mycotoxins - Creating synergy for better results
Impextraco, in partnership with DKSH (Thailand), addresses Thai audience on oxidation control and prevention and elimination of moulds and mycotoxins, during a three-day event in Singapore, from February 17 - 19, 2011.
The seminar was attended by Impextraco and DKSH officers and technical personnel from various Thai feed millers.
On the last day, the seminar was focused on the prevention and elimination of moulds and mycotoxins in animal feed. Entitled "Managing Moulds and Mycotoxins", the key presenter was Dr Ir Anouck Witters, Technical Service Manager and R&D Assistant based in Impextraco Belgium (Antwerp), with additional insights from Dr William Chin, Technical and Marketing Manager for Impextraco Singapore.
Discussions on the topic included mould growth and mycotoxin production, associated risk factors, consequences of mould growth, mycotoxin indicators, effects on animal health, prevention of moulds by MOLDSTOP® and elimination of mycotoxins through ELITOX®.
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by moulds on the field or during storage. Currently, there are over 300 different mycotoxins harmful both to humans and animals. Mould prevention is important, though not an assurance of complete mycotoxin absence. In general, mycotoxins cause immunosuppression and reduction of animal performance. However, different types of toxins are associated with specific symptoms e.g. zearalenone affects the swine's fertility.
Asked whether most millers are aware of the threat mycotoxins pose and the need for prevention, Dhaouadi declared: "Definitely. There are plenty of questions that arose a while ago on how to prevent the development of the moulds or how to eliminate the mycotoxins once they are present. Unfortunately, we will never be able to avoid the development of moulds. It's a threat we have to deal with. We just need to bring the appropriate answer to overcome its drawbacks."
MOLDSTOP® brings the appropriate answer for prevention whereas ELITOX® acts as a cure. Theoretically, it could be said that MOLDSTOP® is also preventing mycotoxins. On the other hand, Dhaouadi clarified: "You could use ELITOX® both preventively and/or as a cure depending on the dose and the moment you are using it. The mode of action is different - MOLDSTOP® will work on moulds; ELITOX® focuses on the metabolites produced by moulds i.e. mycotoxins. It's a different approach. By using MOLDSTOP® in combination with ELITOX®, you are effectively preventing as many moulds as possible from growing in the feed - less moulds mean less mycotoxins - while eliminating at the same time mycotoxins produced by field-moulds prior to harvesting."
