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.
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.
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| www.biomin.net |
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.
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.
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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