MYCOTOXINS – NEW DANGER FOR HUMANS AND ANIMALS

Dr. Kedar Karki

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of molds that have adverse

effects on humans, animals, and crops that result in illnesses and
economic losses.

The worldwide contamination of foods and feeds with mycotoxins is a

significant problem. Aflatoxins, ochratoxins, trichothecenes,
zearelenone, fumonisins, tremorgenic toxins, and ergot alkaloids are
the mycotoxins of greatest agro-economic importance.

The majority of mycotoxins of agricultural importance are produced

mainly by three genera of fungi- Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium.
The reasons why fungi produce Mycotoxins are largely unknown, but
may be as a result of growing stress to the fungus, through harvesting
or the use of fungicides. The type and amount of mycotoxins produced
is influenced by many factors, including geographic location, climate
and agricultural practices. Prediction is complicated especially by the
fact that the toxins may persist long after the fungus is removed, and
also that a fungal infestation does not always mean that mycotoxins
contamination has occurred.

Some molds are capable of producing more than one mycotoxin and
some mycotoxins are produced by more than one fungal species. Often
more than one mycotoxin is found on a contaminated substrate.

Factors influencing the presence of mycotoxins in foods or feeds

include environmental conditions related to storage that can be
controlled. Other extrinsic factors such as climate or intrinsic factors
such as fungal strain specificity, strain variation, and instability of
toxigenic properties are more difficult to control.
Health implications

Given their wide variety of chemical structures and the synergy with
which various mixtures of Mycotoxins can occur in feed grains, it is to
be expected that they should exhibit a range of symptoms. Indeed,
the toxic effects can differ from animal to animal as well as between
species. In general terms, toxicity manifests itself as reduced feed
intake (can be as serious as anorexia), reduced growth and production
as well as immune and reproductive abnormalities.
The main organs affected are the liver, kidneys, reproductive tract and
upper alimentary tract. In poultry, the primary sites are the initial
contact organs- the skin around the beak and head, the mucosal
surfaces of the beak, and the digestive tract.

Thus, reduced feed intake, digestive disorders such as diarrhea, and

reduced growth rate, decreased efficiency and reduced rate of lay are
common. Liver damage, hemorrhage, kidney disorders and bone
lesions are often seen in cases of acute toxicity. The specific symptoms
have been found to depend on species, age, sex and especially on the
toxin(s) present. Aflatoxin B1 is one of the most potent animal
carcinogens found in nature. Young animals which consume 50-100
ng/kg feed on a regular basis can develop fatal liver cancer, though
older animals may show only minor symptoms. Susceptibility also
varies between species. Aflatoxin contamination of animal feed is not
only a hazard to animal health. Although contaminated feed corn
containing 100ppb aflatoxin can be fed to nonlactating animals
(300ppb for finishing cattle and 150ppb for finishing pigs) without
damage to the animals or without harmful toxin or its metabolites
appearing in the edible parts of the animals, lactating animals pose a
higher risk. Aflatoxin M1 is a metabolite of Aflatoxin B1, and appears in
milk at levels which are 3-5 percent of the level of aflatoxin B1 in the
feed consumed. Ochratoxin A has been found to appear in edible
tissues of animals that received contaminated feed shortly before
slaughter. Furthermore, it has also been detected in sausages, ham
and bacon. It is a further danger to human health in that after
ingestion it can be passed into the blood sera and milk.
Mycotoxins have various acute and chronic effects on humans and
animals (especially monogastric) depending on species and
susceptibility of an animal within a species. Ruminants have, however,
generally been more resistant to the adverse effects of mycotoxins.
This is because the rumen microbiota is capable of degrading
mycotoxins.
There has been problem of disease like Deg Nala in buffaloes in many
parts of tarai has been implicated due to moldy rice straw feeding in
Pakistan, India, and Nepal since 1939.Likewise there has been too
often reports about sudden death of mules in mountain area when
these animals are in rout during transportation which are mainly fed
grains like maiza, gram. Till dates finding had suggested the likely
cause might be due contamination of the grains with fungus like
Penicillium and Aspergillus.Likewise now a days commercial broiler
farmers in around Kathmandu valley are facing problems in their
grown up market age broiler dying suddenly during monsoon season
laboratory finding have indicated the cause may be due to
contamination of these bird’s feed by fungus like Penicillium and
Aspergillus.
First time in Nepal farmers in Midwestern parts in districts like Banke
immediately after monsoon last year have suffered the loss of goats
due to polyneuropathy causing the paralysis of goat on laboratory
investigation concern expert found the fodder in pasture in that area
was being heavily contaminated with fungus Penicillium.
In the light of above facts contamination of grains and livestock
products are in increasing trend and many new diseases in livestock
and poultry are being identified as fungal origin public consumption of
these product may pose a health concern. But how much we are aware
about it.

The economic impact of mycotoxins include loss of human and animal

life, increased health care and veterinary care costs, reduced livestock
production, disposal of contaminated foods and feeds, and investment
in research and applications to reduce severity of the mycotoxin
problem.

Although efforts have continued internationally to set guidelines to

control mycotoxins, practical measures have not been adequately
implemented.