Mycotoxins in Feed: Harm to Animals
A special issue of Toxins (ISSN 2072-6651). This special issue belongs to the section "Mycotoxins".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 August 2020) | Viewed by 74324
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Mycotoxins in feed constitute a great health risk to farmed animals, and may also involve human health concerns via the consumption of animal products. The mycotoxins in feed originate from moulds that infest and develop in the feed plants under field growth, or in the feed or feed materials after improper storage. Fusarium species are considered the most important mycotoxin-producing field fungi, whereas species within the genera Penicillium and Aspergillus are mycotoxin producers during storage. Data on the occurrence of mycotoxins in animal feed are important regarding the evaluation of risks, but are restricted.
Health disorders in animals are only known for a rather low number of mycotoxins. Fusarium mycotoxins in animal feed, such as DON and some other trichothecenes, are known to elicit gastrointestinal disorders and immune suppression, whereas zearalenone creates oestrogenic disturbances, and fumonisins manifest different disorders in animal species. The intake of ochratoxin, which is produced by Penicillium and Aspergillus moulds, may damage the kidneys particularly of pigs, and aflatoxins, produced by Aspergilli, are carcinogenic and toxic to the liver. Furthermore, ergot alkaloids, produced by Claviceps purpurea in the field, are neurotoxic and inhibit blood circulation. The dose–effect relations of these toxins in various animal species are of great value in risk assessments, but are scarcely known.
Beyond the most studied ones, the number of other mycotoxins and metabolites of potential, but largely unknown risk in animals, is formidable, and also, knowledge of combined exposure to mycotoxins in highly needed.
We look forward to receiving your contributions for this Special Issue, in the form of original research, case studies, or review papers, shedding light on perspectives on occurrence of various mycotoxins in feed, and their implications for disease developments in animals under realistic conditions.
Dr. Aksel Bernhoft
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- mycotoxins
- feed
- animal health
- risk assessment
- toxic effects
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