October 03, 2016

04/10/2016: The truth about mycotoxin binders in feed

By Michele Muccio, Product Manager at BIOMIN

Binding, or adsorbing, specific mycotoxins to limit their negative effects in livestock is a well-established method for mycotoxin deactivation.
 
www.biomin.net
While a large number of binder products containing clay minerals such as bentonites are commercially available, there is a certain amount of confusion in the market regarding claims authorised by the European Commission.

This matters to many feed and livestock producers, since it relates to product safety and effectiveness, which in turn impacts animal performance and profitably. 

What can be bound? This can be answered on two levels: one answer being scientific and the other - purely legal. Starting from the chemistry, mycotoxins such as aflatoxins have a relatively flat chemical structure and can be trapped between the layers of bentonites; much in the same way as a slice of meat sits between two slices of bread in a sandwich. 

Once the mycotoxin enters the binder layers, the electric force generated by the atoms of both compounds tightens the bond. The not-so-flat chemical structure of other mycotoxins like deoxynivalenol (DON) or zearalenone (ZEN) results in less effective adsorption. Legally speaking, only aflatoxin binding claims are authorised in the EU.   

What makes a good binder?
A multi-year research project between BIOMIN and IFA Tulln, the world leader in research on fungi and mycotoxins, tested more than 300 different materials such as organic binders, cellular components, aluminosilicates, activated carbon, etc. for their ability to bind aflatoxins.

The researchers found that five key characteristics defined a successful material, namely: adsorption capacity, irreversibility, specificity, safety and in vivo biomarkers studies.

1. High adsorption capacity: The method developed by IFA and the BIOMIN Research Center requires that 200 grams of the adsorbent be able to bind more than 90 percent of 4,000 ppb of aflatoxin at a pH of 5.0. This is a rather high bar, as the chart below shows that only 3 out of 30 commercially available products tested met the requirements. The European Union Reference Laboratories (EURL) later adopted this set of requirements as a reference for testing adsorbent materials.

2. Irreversibility: It is important that the aflatoxin binding is strong e.g. not easily undone—otherwise the bound toxins could be released again and have a negative impact upon animal performance.

3. Specificity: Specificity means that only the targeted material (aflatoxins) is adsorbed. A material that is not specific would bind all sorts of other things, such as nutrients, and reduce the quality of feed—a particularly undesirable effect when it comes to feed additives. 

4. Safety: Any binder used in the food and feed chain should by definition be safe for animals, consumers and the environment. In practice, this means that the substance should be non-toxic and have no carry-over into meat and other animal products.

5. In vivo biomarkers studies: Data from a minimum of three in vivo studies performed in at least two different locations showing statistically significant effects must be provided to demonstrate efficacy at the lowest recommended dosage in a specific species. Demonstration of efficacy must be provided according to scientifically recognised biomarkers for target species.

And the winner is
These five criteria are reflected in the EU authorisation process that governs claims of mycotoxin deactivation. The BIOMIN – IFA project allowed researchers to identify a particular bentonite for its outstanding aflatoxin binding abilities.

This bentonite was scientifically evaluated by EFSA and obtained the EU authorisation for mycotoxin deactivation—a testament to its safety, efficacy and purity.

Read the full article HERE.
 

The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine GFMT
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.


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