April 23, 2015

In most of Asia, livestock production faces high threats from mycotoxins, according to BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey

Press Release

Mycotoxin-related threats to livestock production are high across Asia according to the latest BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey. North, South and Southeast Asia all registered three or more major mycotoxins at concentration levels known to cause harm in animals, while Oceania, facing moderate threats, registered two. The survey results provide insights into the incidence of the six major mycotoxins in the agricultural commodities used for livestock feed.

Main findings

• 86% of samples tested positive for the presence of at least one mycotoxin
   
• Deoxynivalenol (65%) and fumonisins (59%) were the most common mycotoxins in Asia with average values of 512 and 1399 parts per billion, respectively
    
• 64% of samples tested positive for 2 or more mycotoxins

Aflatoxin concentrations up from last year

Compared to the previous year, the number of samples positive for aflatoxins did not increase, though the average concentration nearly doubled to 104 ppb. Once again, over half of all Asian samples contained zearalenone, deoxynivalenol and fumonisins. Globally, the prevalence of Ochratoxin A was highest in Asia.

Multiple mycotoxin occurrence is common

A full 86% of samples analysed from Asia contained at least one mycotoxin. In nearly three out of four of those positive cases, samples contained two or more mycotoxins.

"The extensive contamination of feed by multiple mycotoxins, known as co-occurrence, highlights the need for mycotoxin risk management solutions that encompass several modes of action," said Dr. Shu Guan, technical manager at BIOMIN.

Asian survey data

More than 9,000 analyses were conducted on over 1,900 samples sourced from 17 countries throughout Asia.