ISSUE FOCUS 24 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE July 2023 “Mycotoxins pose a significant threat to food safety, animal health, and the overall well-being of both humans and animals. The global impact of climate change on mycotoxin prevalence is becoming increasingly evident, leaving a profound imprint on agricultural practices, and necessitating urgent attention.” Climate change is casting a dark shadow over agricultural landscapes. As temperatures rise, precipitation patterns shift and extreme weather events become more frequent, the prevalence of mycotoxins - toxic substances produced by fungi - is escalating. Three of the main mycotoxigenic fungi affected by climate change are from the genus Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium. The ability of mycotoxigenic fungi to respond to climate change has induced a shift in their geographical distribution and the pattern of mycotoxin occurrence. Mycotoxins pose a significant threat to food safety, animal health, and the overall well-being of both humans and animals. The global impact of climate change on mycotoxin prevalence is becoming increasingly evident, leaving a profound imprint on agricultural practices, and necessitating urgent attention. Research data has revealed that increased global temperatures, drought stress, and CO2 levels have a measurable impact on Aspergillus flavus resulting in higher Aflatoxin B1 production. Mycotoxin co-contamination occurs when different fungal species produce various mycotoxins, or when a single fungus produces multiple mycotoxins simultaneously. In a global study, 74,821 feed samples were collected from 100 countries from January 2008 to December 2017. Results of this survey indicate that co-occurrence of mycotoxins is the rule rather than the exception. Consequently, the toxicological effect of frequently detected mycotoxin mixtures [most importantly combinations of Deoxynivalenol (DON), Zearalenone (ZEA), and Fumonisins B1,2,3 (FBs)] should be investigated more closely. This is paramount for dietary exposure to concentrations commonly detected in feed. These combinations of mycotoxins can have detrimental consequences on animal health. Animal species vary in their susceptibility to different mycotoxins. Poultry is more susceptible to Aflatoxin B1,2, G1,2 (AFBs), T-2/HT-2 Toxins, Ochratoxin A (OTA) and FBs, while swine are most affected by AFBs, ZEA and T-2/HT-2 Toxins. Therefore, tailored feeds for different animal species are vital as they account for specific nutritional requirements, digestive physiology, and susceptibility to mycotoxins. To protect animal health, regulations have been DETECT AND PROTECT The urgent need for testing in the face of climate change's influence on mycotoxin occurrence Dr. Liberty Sibanda Applications Manager Randox Food Diagnostics Ltd.
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