ARTICLE FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE June 2023 57 Endotoxin can have detrimental effects on susceptible animals leading to an increase in illness, death rate and economic losses. Regular testing & monitoring of endotoxin levels in raw ingredients and finished feed can enhance animal welfare & improve livestock productivity. Developing endotoxin-specific binders would reduce the burden on animal health & provide financial benefits for the grower & farmer. Endotoxin and Animal Health; A HIDDEN THREAT IN ANIMAL FEED Dr Anas Sattar Co-founder & Senior Research and Innovation Scientist Molendotech Ltd ENDOTOXIN STRUCTURE AND POTENCY Endotoxin is a complex molecule consisting of lipid and polysaccharide moieties present on the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Endotoxin consists of 3 regions: O specific chain, core region and lipid A as shown in figure 1. Endotoxins are ubiquitously found in the environment, and their potency mainly depends on the molecular structure of Lipid A. Typically, lipid A consists of 6 acylated chains and two phosphate groups, as shown in figure 2. The changes in the chemical structure of Escherichia coli's lipid A (represented by red circles for phosphate and a red rectangle for the acyl group) and the approximate fold decrease in biological activity are also illustrated. SOURCES OF ENDOTOXIN CONTAMINATION Certain Gram-negative bacteria (such as Enterobacteriaceae, Bacteroidetes, and others) are present Lipid A Acyl chains Core Region O-specific chain Repeating polysaccharide Outer core Inner core Figure 1. Structure of endotoxin. Adapted and modified from Alexander and Rietschel (2001), cited in Sattar (2014).
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