October 15, 2019

Innovad to provide new service for biomarker-based mycotoxin exposure

Innovad has concluded a four-year PhD research project with the University of Ghent (Belgium) on the use of biomarkers for mycotoxin exposure in livestock.

This research, conducted by Dr. Marianne Lauwers and sponsored by Innovad, has yielded three scientific publications in the highly-ranked journal 'Toxins'.

The first paper involved the necessary method development and the validation of the appropriate "Mycotoxin biomarkers for exposure" in several biological fluids (blood plasma, urine, faeces and excreta) in pigs and chickens. The aim of this was to select which mycotoxins and (Phase I and Phase II) metabolites should be targeted and detected (i.e. bio-monitored) for a specific animal species and a specific biological sample, as this relates directly to their unique metabolism for each animal species and each route of dissemination in vivo.

The second paper proved the in vivo efficacy of Escent^® S, Innovad's unique platform for stress and mycotoxin control, as a detoxifier.

Escent S is the only technology in the market that has shown so far: Effect on animal detoxification. Namely, systemic reduction of mycotoxins in blood, urine and faeces (or bird excreta); 50% reduction for DON (Deoxynivalenol) in chicken blood; 40% reduction for AFB1 (Aflatoxin B1) in chicken blood. The animals were contaminated with a blend of three mycotoxins (DON, OTA and AFB1) with the levels of OTA being 25x higher and AFB1 1,000x higher than the EFSA guidelines.

The findings are of great importance taking into account the direct toxicity of DON (and other mycotoxins) and their predisposing role in necrotic enteritis in chickens as well as a variety of diseases in different animal species.

Similar trends were found in pigs indicating thus, beneficial bioactivity.

The third paper refers to a successful transfer of the analytical methodology from (liquid) blood plasma to dried blood spots. In this case, only a drop of blood was collected on a filter paper. This has great advantages including: the sampling itself, reduced animal invasiveness, transportation without border restrictions and increased storage at room temperature.

Innovad is now in collaboration with the University of Ghent to translate this into a unique service for its clients that opens for the first time the possibility of measuring with high sensitivity in real field conditions the true impact of Escent S in animals.