August 2, 2024

dsm-firmenich survey highlights prevalence of fusarium mycotoxins in animal feed

dsm-firmenich has published the results of the World Mycotoxin Survey for the first half of 2024, conducted from January to June, which found that Fusarium mycotoxins, specifically deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and fumonisins, are the most detected contaminants, AquaFeed reported.

The survey analysed over 11,500 samples from 77 countries.

The regions with the highest concentrations of these mycotoxins include North and Central America, South Asia, Southeast Asia, China, and Taiwan.

The survey offers detailed information on detection methods, which includes information on Spectrum 380, the most advanced mycotoxin detection method used as a research tool at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU).

It also provided an overview of the most frequent mycotoxins, including their masked and modified forms, and emerging mycotoxins, based on data from Spectrum Top 50, the most comprehensive commercially available multi-mycotoxin method.

Additionally, the survey summarises global contamination levels of key byproducts and alternative feed components. These byproducts and components were tested for metabolites, providing insights into their prevalence.

Ursula Hofstetter, head of Mycotoxin Risk Management at dsm-firmenich, emphasised the ongoing threat posed by mycotoxins to animal welfare, productivity, and agricultural sustainability. She stated, "The persistent presence of mycotoxins continues to pose a threat to animal welfare, productivity, and sustainability in agriculture. These results once again underscore the critical need for effective mycotoxin management strategies. Implementing such strategies is crucial for maintaining the profitability of both the feed industry and animal protein production sectors."

-      AquaFeed