Animal Nutrition & Health

dsm-firmenich World Mycotoxin Survey Report

Impact on species

Effects of mycotoxins on animals are diverse and range from carcinogenicity, hepatoxicity and neurotoxicity to impaired reproduction, digestive disorders, immunomodulation and decreased performance. Clinical signs can be seen at high levels of mycotoxin contamination but more frequently we observe subclinical effects. Already moderate levels of mycotoxins, especially during chronic exposure, can negatively affect the animals. Mycotoxins influence the immune system, the integrity of the gut barrier and act as predisposing factors for disease. Use the filters to find out more on the negative impact of mycotoxins in the different species.

See results of the six well known mycotoxins in finished feed for poultry, swine and aquaculture as well as in TMR for ruminants in the different regions of the word.

Download the dsm-firmenich World Mycotoxin Survey January to June 2024 [PDF]

Until June, 11 520 samples were collected and analyzed from 77 countries around the world, and the report is now available for you to download.

Africa

Summary for Finished Feed Poultry in Africa from Jan 2024 to June 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples100100100100100100
% Contaminated samples24%95%92%1%66%3%
Average of positives (ppb)8019544112755
Median of positives (ppb)41931611653
Maximum (ppb)337126324711214111
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Middle East & North Africa

Summary for Finished Feed Poultry in Middle East & North Africa from Jan 2024 to June 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples545454545454
% Contaminated samples28%96%65%19%96%2%
Average of positives (ppb)121318174561
Median of positives (ppb)18295164371
Maximum (ppb)31247762821661
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Europe

Summary for Finished Feed Poultry in Europe from Jan 2024 to June 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples586577576554554553
% Contaminated samples33%67%81%17%77%16%
Average of positives (ppb)323228182383
Median of positives (ppb)112143141102
Maximum (ppb)444011365123296825
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Asia

Summary for Finished Feed Poultry in Asia from Jan 2024 to June 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples444444446444444414
% Contaminated samples69%49%37%44%95%56%
Average of positives (ppb)2078551127133514
Median of positives (ppb)1238283229306
Maximum (ppb)14718004769549311919579
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Latin America

Summary for Finished Feed Poultry in Latin America from Jan 2024 to June 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples59545959594
% Contaminated samples29%11%19%12%32%0%
Average of positives (ppb)67831832643-
Median of positives (ppb)54328030520-
Maximum (ppb)152945563819060
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Africa

Summary for Finished Feed Swine in Africa from Jan 2024 to June 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples272727272727
% Contaminated samples19%89%100%0%74%15%
Average of positives (ppb)2417342-1246
Median of positives (ppb)349222-556
Maximum (ppb)45822667073812
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Europe

Summary for Finished Feed Swine in Europe from Jan 2024 to June 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples598708692492502495
% Contaminated samples27%78%64%30%49%21%
Average of positives (ppb)623184182004
Median of positives (ppb)414907672
Maximum (ppb)2342533298892784218
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Asia

Summary for Finished Feed Swine in Asia from Jan 2024 to June 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples171175181171171157
% Contaminated samples28%75%79%1%100%11%
Average of positives (ppb)545244798502
Median of positives (ppb)33430196731
Maximum (ppb)372461558781445994
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Latin America

Summary for Finished Feed Swine in Latin America from Jan 2024 to June 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples1212122121
% Contaminated samples0%83%84%0%83%0%
Average of positives (ppb)-2741-184-
Median of positives (ppb)-3041-157-
Maximum (ppb)0404103430
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Africa

Summary for Finished Feed Ruminants in Africa from Jan 2024 to June 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples404040404040
% Contaminated samples5%78%80%0%40%3%
Average of positives (ppb)432473-352
Median of positives (ppb)410393-312
Maximum (ppb)549115320782
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Middle East & North Africa

Summary for Finished Feed Ruminants in Middle East & North Africa from Jan 2024 to June 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples272727272727
% Contaminated samples7%78%70%41%93%7%
Average of positives (ppb)15634652381
Median of positives (ppb)14127141751
Maximum (ppb)12191060107482
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Europe

Summary for Finished Feed Ruminants in Europe from Jan 2024 to June 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples301321316256257255
% Contaminated samples22%84%90%13%81%19%
Average of positives (ppb)570581291605
Median of positives (ppb)43038118882
Maximum (ppb)3413104211111148899
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Asia

Summary for Finished Feed Ruminants in Asia from Jan 2024 to June 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples646464646461
% Contaminated samples75%42%17%19%67%44%
Average of positives (ppb)48647205831714
Median of positives (ppb)36466825301319
Maximum (ppb)267249126529404765
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

North America

Summary for Finished Feed Ruminants in North America from Jan 2024 to June 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples196196196196196196
% Contaminated samples5%66%83%2%12%3%
Average of positives (ppb)21031200147464
Median of positives (ppb)272810143363
Maximum (ppb)4129016061138968
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Latin America

Summary for Finished Feed Ruminants in Latin America from Jan 2024 to June 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples86868686860
% Contaminated samples28%71%23%2%98%-
Average of positives (ppb)66157711178-
Median of positives (ppb)2161781406-
Maximum (ppb)618584752115861-
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Africa

Summary for Finished Feed Fish & Finished Feed Shrimp in Africa from Jan 2024 to June 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples202020202020
% Contaminated samples85%35%45%0%100%20%
Average of positives (ppb)2499-1401
Median of positives (ppb)2473-1331
Maximum (ppb)4819802292

This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Europe

Summary for Finished Feed Fish & Finished Feed Shrimp in Europe from Jan 2024 to June 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples333333333333
% Contaminated samples33%61%52%0%48%0%
Average of positives (ppb)2865-235-
Median of positives (ppb)1862-229-
Maximum (ppb)4149806900

This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Asia

Summary for Finished Feed Fish & Finished Feed Shrimp in Asia from Jan 2024 to June 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples333333333333
% Contaminated samples6%9%33%0%100%0%
Average of positives (ppb)16137221-81-
Median of positives (ppb)1654199-43-
Maximum (ppb)30329313011930

This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Synergistic effects of mycotoxins

Co-contamination of crops with several mycotoxins is very likely. This co-occurrence can lead to even more detrimental effects on the animals, so called additive (dashed black line) and synergistic (red line) effects (Abbreviation figure “Synergistic effects of mycotoxins”: FA – Fusaric acid; DAS – Diacetoxyscirpenol; CPA – Cyclopiazonic acid; MON – Moniliformin).

Poultry

Effects of mycotoxins on the health of poultry

T-2, HT-2, NIV, DAS, DON, AFB1, Ergots

  • Oral and dermal lesions
  • Inflammation of mucous membrane of oral cavity
  • Respiratory difficulties
  • Bad feathering

AFB1, T-2, DON, DAS, NIV, OTA, FUM

  • Fatty liver
  • Immunosuppression
  • Inhomogeneous flocks
  • Impaired feathering
  • Nervous syndrome

T-2, DON, FUM, Ergots

  • Gizzard lesions
  • Feed refusal
  • Decreased feed intake
  • Diarrhea
  • Vasoconstriction (necrosis)
  • Decreased performance

DON, FUM

  • 'Leaky gut‘ condition
  • Reduced nutrients absorption
  • Increased gut health issues (Necrotic Enteritis, Coccidiosis, Salmonella, E.coli

ZEN, DON, T-2, DAS, Ergots

  • Decreased hatchability
  • Decreased egg production
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Embryonic loss
  • Delayed sexual maturation

OTA

  • Damage of the kidneys
  • Increased water consumption

Egg: AFB1, OTA, T-2, DON, ZEN

  • Residues
  • Lower egg shell quality
  • Blood and meat spots
  • Creamy yolk

Meaning of abbreviations:

DON: Deoxynivalenol | ZEN: Zearalenone | AFB1: Aflatoxin B1 | FUM: Fumonisins | T-2: T-2 Toxin | HT-2: HT-2 Toxin | NIV: Nivalenol | DAS: Diacetoxyscirpenol | OTA: Ochratoxin A | Ergots: Ergot Alkaloids

Swine

Effects of mycotoxins on the health of swine

T-2, DON, Ergots

  • Decreased feed intake
  • Dermal and oral lesions
  • Feed refusal
  • Vomiting
  • Impaired growth

T-2, Ergots

  • Dermal and oral lesions
  • Vasoconstriction (necrosis)

T-2, DON, AFB1, OTA, FUM

  • Decreased performance
  • Immunosuppression
  • Pancreatic necroses

T-2, DON, AFB1, OTA, FUM, Endotoxins

  • Intestinal hemorrhages
  • Damage of the kidneys
  • Pale and fatty liver
  • Porcine pulmonary edema (PPE)
  • Increased water consumption
  • Fever - endotoxin-associated diseases

AFB1, T-2, OTA

  • Diarrhea
  • Blood in faeces and urine
  • Inflammation of bladder and kidneys

ZEN, T-2, DON, Ergots

  • Irregular heats
  • Abortion
  • Pseudo pregnancy
  • Low conception rates
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Embryonic loss
  • Tail necrosis
  • Nymphomania
  • Hypertrophy of the uterus
  • Shrunken udder/Agalactia
  • Stillbirths

Meaning of abbreviations:

DON: Deoxynivalenol | ZEN: Zearalenone | AFB1: Aflatoxin B1 | FUM: Fumonisins | T-2: T-2 Toxin | HT-2: HT-2 Toxin | NIV: Nivalenol | DAS: Diacetoxyscirpenol | OTA: Ochratoxin A | Ergots: Ergot Alkaloids

Ruminants

Effects of mycotoxins on the health of ruminants

ZEN, Ergot alkaloids, Trichothecenes (DON, T-2, etc.), Afla

  • Irregular heats
  • Low conception rates
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Embryonic Loss
  • Abortions
  • Low testicular development
  • Low sperm production

Afla, DON, NIV, T-2, HT-2, among others

  • Milk contamination
  • Decreased milk production
  • Mastitis

Trichothecenes (NIV, DON, etc.), FUM

  • Leaky gut
  • Decreased nutrient absorption
  • Inflammation

DON, NIV, T-2, Afla, ZEN, Ergot alkaloids, etc.

  • Impaired rumen function
  • Diarrhea
  • Lower volatile fatty acid production
  • Lower microbial protein production
  • Decreased rumen pH

DON, FUM, Afla, etc.

  • Increased liver enzymes
  • Liver toxicity

Ergot alkaloids, endotoxins, DON

  • Laminitis (lameness)

DON, NIV, T-2

  • Decreased feed intake
  • Decreased feed efficiency

Ergot alkaloids

  • Impaired thermoregulation
  • Convulsions

Meaning of abbreviations:

DON: Deoxynivalenol | ZEN: Zearalenone | AFB1: Aflatoxin B1 | FUM: Fumonisins | T-2: T-2 Toxin | HT-2: HT-2 Toxin | NIV: Nivalenol | DAS: Diacetoxyscirpenol | OTA: Ochratoxin A | Ergots: Ergot Alkaloids

Fish

Effects of mycotoxins on the health of fish

Trichothecenes (DON, T-2)

  • Reduced feed consumption
  • Decreased hemoglobin concentration, lower hematocrit value
  • Poorer feed conversion rate 

Aflatoxin B1

  • Highly carcinogenic
  • Liver tumors, liver lesions
  • Severe hepatic necrosis
  • Pale gills
  • Impaired blood clotting
  • Anemia
  • Pale yellow kidney lesions 

All mycotoxins

  • Reduced growth
  • Higher mortality
  • Lower weight gain 

Ochratoxin A

  • Poorer feed conversion rate
  • Severe histopathological lesions of liver and posterior kidneys
  • Liver necrosis
  • Pale, swollen kidneys

Fumonisins

  • Lower hematocrit value
  • Histopathological lesions
  • Lesions in the exocrine and endocrine pancreas
  • Lesions in inter-renal tissue

Meaning of abbreviations:

DON: Deoxynivalenol | ZEN: Zearalenone | AFB1: Aflatoxin B1 | FUM: Fumonisins | T-2: T-2 Toxin | HT-2: HT-2 Toxin | NIV: Nivalenol | DAS: Diacetoxyscirpenol | OTA: Ochratoxin A | Ergots: Ergot Alkaloids

Shrimp

Effects of mycotoxins on the health of shrimp

Trichothecenes (DON, T-2)

  • Reduced body weight
  • Inhomogeneous growth
  • Physiological disorders
  • Lower hematocrit value

Aflatoxin B1

  • Low digestibility
  • Negative effect on digestive enzymes
  • Physiological disorders and histological changes
  • Hepato-pancreatic damage
  • Lower hematocrit value
  • Reduced growth
  • Increased mortality 

All mycotoxins

  • Poor growth
  • Immunosuppression
  • Increased mortality 

Zearalenone

  • White Shrimp - reduced growth
  • Deposit in meat

Meaning of abbreviations:

DON: Deoxynivalenol | ZEN: Zearalenone | AFB1: Aflatoxin B1 | FUM: Fumonisins | T-2: T-2 Toxin | HT-2: HT-2 Toxin | NIV: Nivalenol | DAS: Diacetoxyscirpenol | OTA: Ochratoxin A | Ergots: Ergot Alkaloids

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