Use of adsorbents to control mycotoxins in poultry production

Appropriate application of the solution guarantees the maximum performance of the bird's productive potential and brings profitability to producers and agribusiness

In nature, more than 350 types of mycotoxins have been identified, with Aflatoxin, Fumonisin, Ochratoxin and Trichothecenes being the most common and important in poultry farming. Mycotoxins invade crops in fields and crops and can grow in grains and feed, even during storage, and their presence directly affects the health and performance of the bird.

If found in food, mycotoxins can reach the animal's immune system, making it more susceptible to other opportunistic agents. The result is an increase in the mortality rate, economic losses related to low bird growth, reduced feed conversion, losses in yield and carcass quality, as well as a drop in egg production due to embryonic mortality.

In this scenario, unfortunately, the actions taken by agribusinesses to control and prevent the damage caused by mycotoxins are limited, as little can be done until the arrival of the grains in the feed mills, especially in relation to corn, which is the main ingredient in poultry diet.

“The use of methods for monitoring, both quantitative and qualitative, are essential to design mycotoxin control strategies. These tools provide the producer with conditions to select suppliers, as well as direct the ingredients with more challenges to specific phases and with less productive impact”, explains Matheus Calvo de Paula, veterinarian and National Poultry Manager at Yes.

Among the methods available on the market for monitoring are: NIR (Near-infrared spectroscopy), Elisa (or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, in Portuguese), Chromatography, Mass Spectrometry, among others. “NIR and Elisa are the most used methods in poultry farming. In the sector, as important as monitoring through these technologies is using these results and reports to help in decision-making”, adds Paula.

Building a history, assessing seasonality, comparing the challenges in the different grain-producing regions of the country and monitoring suppliers provide producers and agribusinesses with the possibility of minimizing losses caused by mycotoxins.

These measures can only become feasible when each company becomes aware that monitoring is the cornerstone of the mycotoxin control program. This action must be done through a consistent sampling program of the mass of grains received, or to be acquired, with periodic analyses. Only by analyzing the weekly sample data will it be possible to take control measures.

Another tool widely used in animal production to minimize and avoid production losses is through the use of adsorbents. There are several products available on the market, but the use of adsorbents that ensure a greater spectrum of action contributes a lot to the protection of birds. “That's because most of the time there is the presence of more than one mycotoxin acting in the productions. This synergy causes great damage to the squad”, explains Paula.

The specialist warns that it is necessary to pay attention to adsorbents that provide not only direct action on mycotoxins, but also have additives in their constitution that help in the strengthening and recovery of birds, and the main organ responsible for metabolizing this toxin, the liver.

Yes, a company that develops biotechnological solutions for effective, safe and sustainable animal nutrition, brings to the market a complete line of broad-spectrum adsorbents to control mycotoxins, capturing them within the body.

the line FIX, by Yes, is composed of products that combine active phosphorylated β-glucans, which are extracted from the yeast cell wall Saccharomyces cerevisiae and enzymatically microparticles, contain polycationic bentonite, activated charcoal, organic molecule, organic selenium and silymarin. “In addition to combating the main mycotoxins found in grains, its formulation also prevents the compromise of animal health”, explains Matheus.

"Keep in mind that the control of mycotoxins, regardless of the production segment, whether from breeders, commercial layers or broilers, in addition to actions focused on monitoring raw materials, mapping the challenges of the region and its suppliers, together with a solid program for the use of adsorbents will ensure that the bird performs its maximum production potential, bringing profitability to producers and agribusiness”, he concludes.

About Yes

Yes, a biotechnology company in animal nutrition, develops and produces nutritional additives such as mycotoxin adsorbents, prebiotics, organic minerals, blends and yeast derivatives with the objective of improving the performance and health of animals. All products comply with the strictest laws in world markets such as the United States and Europe. Founded in 2008, Yes has a head office in Campinas/SP, four production plants, one in Lucélia/SP, one in Novo Horizonte/SP, one in Borá/SP and one in Conceição da Barra/ES, a center for Logistics and Distribution in Lucélia/SP and another in Londrina/PR. It operates throughout Brazil, in addition to exporting to over 35 countries, being present in Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Since 2016 the company has been part of the investee portfolio of the Aqua Capital investment fund.

More information: https://yessinergy.com