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Asian Journal of Animal Sciences

Year: 2011 | Volume: 5 | Issue: 1 | Page No.: 19-33
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Authors

O.O.M. Iheshiulor

B.O. Esonu

O.K. Chuwuka

A.A. Omede

I.C. Okoli

I.P. Ogbuewu

Keywords

Mycotoxins are low molecular weight secondary metabolites produced by certain strains of filamentous fungi such as Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium, which invade crops in the field and may grow on foods during storage under favourable conditions of temperature and humidity. They are regularly implicated in toxic syndromes in animals and humans. No region of the world escapes the problem of mycotoxins and its estimated that there are about 300 harmful mycotoxins. Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) estimates that about 25% of the world crops contain mycotoxins. Mycotoxins have been detected in various food commodities from many parts of the world and are presently considered as one of the most contaminants of food and feed. Mycotoxins causes mycotoxicoses and their toxicity depends on the amounts ingested, time-span of exposure, type of animal, their breed, age, sex, health status, but also other parameters such as density of animals, diseases and temperature. The mycotoxins of most concern due to their toxicity and occurrence are aflatoxin, vomitoxin, ochratoxin, zearaleone, fumonisin and T-2 toxins. They cause significant economic losses in animals due to reduced productivity, increased disease incidence, chronic damage of vital organs and decreased reproductive performance. Also, the productivity and nutritive value of infected grains and cereals drops after contamination by mould. Animals may have varying susceptibilities to mycotoxins depending on physiological, genetic and environmental factors. Preventing mould growth and subsequent mycotoxin production is essential to the feed manufacturer, livestock producer and for maximum animal performance.
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