Mycotoxins produced by moulds are

a growing problem in animal feed

production worldwide. Analysing
mycotoxins is key in understanding
and controlling mycotoxin risks in
raw materials and feed. KAI-JENS
KUEHLMANN, RAMAKANTA NAYAK and
PIERRE VAN ZON* present Mycomaster
- a new user-friendly system that
TECHNICAL

Kai-Jens Kuehlmann Ramakanta Nayak Pierre van Zon

allows rapid and cost-effective analysis
of mycotoxins on-site, enabling raw
Rapid mycotoxin material quality screening before
purchasing or processing, as well as
analysis detecting mycotoxin contamination in
compound feed.

Mycotoxins - the problem

Mycotoxins are a structurally materials and feeds. For example, in and can vary significantly from one
diverse group of mostly small southern Vietnam, a survey on AFLA year to the next due to differences in
molecular weight compounds, (B1, B2, G1, G2) and ZEA was carried harvesting conditions or the origin of
produced mainly by the secondary out on 120 samples of cassava raw materials. Mycotoxin analysis is
metabolism of some filamentous chip, corn, rice bran, broken rice and therefore key in understanding and
fungi. Poor storage conditions, complete feeds for growing pigs managing mycotoxin levels in animal
high temperature and humidity are and sows using High Performance feed.
the main factors triggering mould Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and To reduce mycotoxin contamination
growth with concomitant mycotoxin Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent in feeds, an effective monitoring
development in plant raw materials, Assay (ELISA) methods resulting management needs to be
such as corn, wheat, barley, rice, in 83 to 100% contamination with implemented to enable on-the-spot
soy, canola, cassava and sunflower AFLA and ZEA for all samples. The analysis with a consequently practical
meals or DDGS (Distiller’s Dried high presence of mycotoxins found risk management program suitable for
Grains with Solubles) and feed. As in feedstuffs highlights the need for feed mills and farms.
these conditions commonly occur periodic monitoring and prevention
Mycomaster - rapid mycotoxin
throughout Asia, animals fed with of mycotoxins, not only in feeds, but
analysis
mycotoxin-contaminated feeds often also in food for human consumption,
show the effects of mycotoxins the authors concluded. Commonly used methods of
(Table 1). Mycotoxins are resistant analysing mycotoxins - HPLC and
Why analyse mycotoxins?
to temperature treatments (cooking, ELISA take several days until results
freezing) or decomposition during Not only is there a large number available for feed production, and
digestion. Thus, they remain in feeds of different mycotoxins affecting are relatively expensive (Table
and partially in human food without animal performance, they are also not 2). Thus, a quicker method of
the correct management measures. visible in the feed. Often, symptoms quantifying the most common six
caused by mycotoxin contamination mycotoxins aflatoxin (AFLA), (DON),
Prevalence of mycotoxins
such as poorer animal performance zearalenone (ZEA), ochratoxin
Several global mycotoxin surveys are not immediately recognised (OCHRA), fumonisin (FUM) and
have shown the ubiquitous presence as mycotoxin-related. Moreover, fusarium (T2-HT2) has been
of mycotoxins in animal feed raw mycotoxin levels are hard to predict developed - Mycomaster. The test

Table 1: Mycotoxins – general effects & symptoms.

Mycotoxin General effects & symptoms EU Guidelines*

Aflatoxin (AFLA) Immune suppression, liver damage, AFM1 in milk, reduced technical performance 20
Deoxynivalenol (DON) Immune suppression, reduced gut integrity, reduced feed intake, vomiting 900
T-2 Toxin (T2) Immune suppression, mouth and intestinal lesions, reduced egg production 250
Ochratoxin (OTA) Immune suppression, kidney damage, reduced gut integrity 50
Zearalenone (ZEA) Reproduction and fertility problems, prolapses, reduced feed intake 100
Fumonisin (FUM) Immune suppression, reduced feed intake, liver damage, reduced milk production 5,000

* EU guidelines in parts per billion (mg/tonne feed)

12 ASIAN FEED MAGAZINE – December 2015/January 2016

is easy-to-use, no on-site calibration
is needed and it can be operated at Table 2: Mycotoxin analysis method comparison.
storage or production sites without Mycomaster ELISA HPLC LC-MS
(m)ethanol. Mycomaster provides a
reliable quantitative reading of the On-site analysis yes possible no no
contamination levels in plant protein Indicative cost price per test 20-25% ±50% 100% ±250%
raw materials and complete feed.
The low cost, rapid and reliable Delivery time per test 15-20 minutes 2-4 days 4-6 days 4-6 days
results provided by Mycomaster at site at remote lab at remote lab at remote lab
allows for more frequent analyses,
compared with traditional analyses
methods. taken for proper sample preparation
This paper was presented at the
(sampling, grinding, dissolving,
Bringing the lab to the sample
centrifuging, filtering, extracting and
The complete equipment consists analysing), while the actual analysis
of two boxes (Figure 1), which can takes five minutes until the mycotoxin
easily be transported to the feed mill content [ppb] of the respective
in order to prepare the samples of raw material or feed sample is Ho Chi Minh City 9–10 April 2015
either plant protein raw material or determined.
finished feed on-the-spot for a rapid
Management and advantages is internet connected to the main
analysis - the laboratory is being
brought to the sample. The simple Nutreco also provides a mycotoxin data base (Figure 2). From here,
to use Mycomaster is well suited to profile comparison, with analysis all users have access to actual
operation by general laboratory and results in a central database, so mycotoxin contents of plant protein
feed mill staff. Mycomaster users can see world- raw materials. Smart decision makers
The estimated time needed to wide results. To assure best service would therefore be able to plan their
quantify one mycotoxin totals in and anonymous data transparency purchase based on least mycotoxin
about 15 minutes, of which 65% is among users worldwide, Mycomaster contaminations listed by country.
Additionally, the connected feed mill
Figure 1: The Mycomaster tool kit (balance, grinder, centrifuge, mycotoxin reader would enjoy interactive management
and disposables) is portable to each feed mill ready to analyse the most common service and guidance with Nutreco to
six mycotoxins within 15 minutes. keep raw feed materials and finished
feeds in best nutritive quality until
feeding.
Based on immediate mycotoxin
readings on the spot serviced with
a global internet data base access,
smart purchases can be drawn by
each joining feed mill to contribute to
high quality animal feed production.
Conclusion
Once the mycotoxin(s) present
have been identified and the level
of contamination determined with
Mycomaster, a customised mycotoxin
management program can then be
Figure 2: Analysed mycotoxin content is sent to the Nutreco centralised database implemented. This includes choosing
to update each user on mycotoxin levels worldwide. the most appropriate mycotoxin
binding smectite technology Toxo
product and inclusion rate for
each situation. This will not only
bind mycotoxins, but additionally
support the intestinal protection and
strengthen immune system for all
growth stages through a strong gut
wall integrity. AF

*Kai-Jens Kuehlmann is Technical Manager, Selko

Products, Feed Additives, Ramakanta Nayak is
Commercial Director Asia. Both work for Nutreco
Asia Co., Ltd, based in Thailand. Pierre van Zon
is Product Manager, Nutritional Feed Additives,
Selko BV, The Netherlands. A list of references is
available from the first author.

ASIAN FEED MAGAZINE – December 2015/January 2016 13