dsm-firmenich World Mycotoxin Survey Report

Impact on species

Effects of mycotoxins on animals are diverse and range from carcinogenicity, hepatoxicity and neurotoxicity to impaired reproduction, digestive disorders, immunomodulation and decreased performance. Clinical signs can be seen at high levels of mycotoxin contamination but more frequently we observe subclinical effects. Already moderate levels of mycotoxins, especially during chronic exposure, can negatively affect the animals. Mycotoxins influence the immune system, the integrity of the gut barrier and act as predisposing factors for disease. Use the filters to find out more on the negative impact of mycotoxins in the different species.

See results of the six well known mycotoxins in finished feed for poultry, swine and aquaculture as well as in TMR for ruminants in the different regions of the word.

Download the dsm-firmenich World Mycotoxin Survey January to March 2024 [PDF]

Until March, 5,383 samples were collected and analyzed from 64 countries around the world, and the report is now available for you to download.

Africa

Summary for Finished Feed Poultry in Africa from Jan 2024 to Mar 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples454545454545
% Contaminated samples22%89%93%2%53%7%
Average of positives (ppb)4218274111085
Median of positives (ppb)8819711673
Maximum (ppb)21412613861153611
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Middle East & North Africa

Summary for Finished Feed Poultry in Middle East & North Africa from Jan 2024 to Mar 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples353535353535
% Contaminated samples34%97%49%20%97%0%
Average of positives (ppb)11729614433 
Median of positives (ppb)1629712437 
Maximum (ppb)31247182014040
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Europe

Summary for Finished Feed Poultry in Europe from Jan 2024 to Mar 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples272269269257257257
% Contaminated samples35%71%79%19%77%7%
Average of positives (ppb)328173142854
Median of positives (ppb)112124121552
Maximum (ppb)44401108351296825
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Asia

Summary for Finished Feed Poultry in Asia from Jan 2024 to Mar 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples197197197197197197
% Contaminated samples84%43%21%63%93%69%
Average of positives (ppb)204337629127511
Median of positives (ppb)1336270249866
Maximum (ppb)1471271835934590160
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Latin America

Summary for Finished Feed Poultry in Latin America from Jan 2024 to Mar 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples17171717171
% Contaminated samples0%24%12%6%6%0%
Average of positives (ppb) 10930830180 
Median of positives (ppb) 5430830180 
Maximum (ppb)0294490301800
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Africa

Summary for Finished Feed Swine in Africa from Jan 2024 to Mar 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples222222222222
% Contaminated samples23%91%100%0%82%18%
Average of positives (ppb)2419258 1346
Median of positives (ppb)349215 556
Maximum (ppb)4582663073812
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Europe

Summary for Finished Feed Swine in Europe from Jan 2024 to Mar 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples337403394265267266
% Contaminated samples26%81%63%37%46%15%
Average of positives (ppb)426200232554
Median of positives (ppb)416828723
Maximum (ppb)102533298892784215
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Asia

Summary for Finished Feed Swine in Asia from Jan 2024 to Mar 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples222222222222
% Contaminated samples27%23%36%0%100%27%
Average of positives (ppb)734186 2542
Median of positives (ppb)332131 601
Maximum (ppb)1846669015584
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Middle East & North Africa

Summary for Finished Feed Ruminants in Middle East & North Africa from Jan 2024 to Mar 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples191919191919
% Contaminated samples5%68%58%32%89%5%
Average of positives (ppb)15341533221
Median of positives (ppb)14134332591
Maximum (ppb)1219106057481
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Europe

Summary for Finished Feed Ruminants in Europe from Jan 2024 to Mar 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples180176171137138137
% Contaminated samples29%85%92%15%84%18%
Average of positives (ppb)465588191774
Median of positives (ppb)430342141273
Maximum (ppb)17444421185136229
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Asia

Summary for Finished Feed Ruminants in Asia from Jan 2024 to Mar 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples282828282828
% Contaminated samples86%29%0%11%50%36%
Average of positives (ppb)4532 3429519
Median of positives (ppb)3011 2030119
Maximum (ppb)23115706569020
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

North America

Summary for Finished Feed Ruminants in North America from Jan 2024 to Mar 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples444444444444
% Contaminated samples9%93%80%2%23%7%
Average of positives (ppb)153623105012
Median of positives (ppb)144491102102
Maximum (ppb)323021841021932
This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Europe

Summary for Finished Feed Fish & Finished Feed Shrimp in Europe from Jan 2024 to Mar 2024
 AflaZENDONT2FUMOTA
Number of samples212121212121
% Contaminated samples14%71%38%0%24%0%
Average of positives (ppb)3862 269 
Median of positives (ppb)2863 275 
Maximum (ppb)4149006900

This color indicates the risk posed to this species by the prevalence and concentration of each mycotoxin in all finished samples from this region (yellow=moderate to red=extreme)

Synergistic effects of mycotoxins

Co-contamination of crops with several mycotoxins is very likely. This co-occurrence can lead to even more detrimental effects on the animals, so called additive (dashed black line) and synergistic (red line) effects (Abbreviation figure “Synergistic effects of mycotoxins”: FA – Fusaric acid; DAS – Diacetoxyscirpenol; CPA – Cyclopiazonic acid; MON – Moniliformin).

Poultry

Effects of mycotoxins on the health of poultry

T-2, HT-2, NIV, DAS, DON, AFB1, Ergots

  • Oral and dermal lesions
  • Inflammation of mucous membrane of oral cavity
  • Respiratory difficulties
  • Bad feathering

AFB1, T-2, DON, DAS, NIV, OTA, FUM

  • Fatty liver
  • Immunosuppression
  • Inhomogeneous flocks
  • Impaired feathering
  • Nervous syndrome

T-2, DON, FUM, Ergots

  • Gizzard lesions
  • Feed refusal
  • Decreased feed intake
  • Diarrhea
  • Vasoconstriction (necrosis)
  • Decreased performance

DON, FUM

  • 'Leaky gut‘ condition
  • Reduced nutrients absorption
  • Increased gut health issues (Necrotic Enteritis, Coccidiosis, Salmonella, E.coli

ZEN, DON, T-2, DAS, Ergots

  • Decreased hatchability
  • Decreased egg production
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Embryonic loss
  • Delayed sexual maturation

OTA

  • Damage of the kidneys
  • Increased water consumption

Egg: AFB1, OTA, T-2, DON, ZEN

  • Residues
  • Lower egg shell quality
  • Blood and meat spots
  • Creamy yolk

Meaning of abbreviations:

DON: Deoxynivalenol | ZEN: Zearalenone | AFB1: Aflatoxin B1 | FUM: Fumonisins | T-2: T-2 Toxin | HT-2: HT-2 Toxin | NIV: Nivalenol | DAS: Diacetoxyscirpenol | OTA: Ochratoxin A | Ergots: Ergot Alkaloids

Swine

Effects of mycotoxins on the health of swine

T-2, DON, Ergots

  • Decreased feed intake
  • Dermal and oral lesions
  • Feed refusal
  • Vomiting
  • Impaired growth

T-2, Ergots

  • Dermal and oral lesions
  • Vasoconstriction (necrosis)

T-2, DON, AFB1, OTA, FUM

  • Decreased performance
  • Immunosuppression
  • Pancreatic necroses

T-2, DON, AFB1, OTA, FUM, Endotoxins

  • Intestinal hemorrhages
  • Damage of the kidneys
  • Pale and fatty liver
  • Porcine pulmonary edema (PPE)
  • Increased water consumption
  • Fever - endotoxin-associated diseases

AFB1, T-2, OTA

  • Diarrhea
  • Blood in faeces and urine
  • Inflammation of bladder and kidneys

ZEN, T-2, DON, Ergots

  • Irregular heats
  • Abortion
  • Pseudo pregnancy
  • Low conception rates
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Embryonic loss
  • Tail necrosis
  • Nymphomania
  • Hypertrophy of the uterus
  • Shrunken udder/Agalactia
  • Stillbirths

Meaning of abbreviations:

DON: Deoxynivalenol | ZEN: Zearalenone | AFB1: Aflatoxin B1 | FUM: Fumonisins | T-2: T-2 Toxin | HT-2: HT-2 Toxin | NIV: Nivalenol | DAS: Diacetoxyscirpenol | OTA: Ochratoxin A | Ergots: Ergot Alkaloids

Ruminants

Effects of mycotoxins on the health of ruminants

ZEN, Ergot alkaloids, Trichothecenes (DON, T-2, etc.), Afla

  • Irregular heats
  • Low conception rates
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Embryonic Loss
  • Abortions
  • Low testicular development
  • Low sperm production

Afla, DON, NIV, T-2, HT-2, among others

  • Milk contamination
  • Decreased milk production
  • Mastitis

Trichothecenes (NIV, DON, etc.), FUM

  • Leaky gut
  • Decreased nutrient absorption
  • Inflammation

DON, NIV, T-2, Afla, ZEN, Ergot alkaloids, etc.

  • Impaired rumen function
  • Diarrhea
  • Lower volatile fatty acid production
  • Lower microbial protein production
  • Decreased rumen pH

DON, FUM, Afla, etc.

  • Increased liver enzymes
  • Liver toxicity

Ergot alkaloids, endotoxins, DON

  • Laminitis (lameness)

DON, NIV, T-2

  • Decreased feed intake
  • Decreased feed efficiency

Ergot alkaloids

  • Impaired thermoregulation
  • Convulsions

Meaning of abbreviations:

DON: Deoxynivalenol | ZEN: Zearalenone | AFB1: Aflatoxin B1 | FUM: Fumonisins | T-2: T-2 Toxin | HT-2: HT-2 Toxin | NIV: Nivalenol | DAS: Diacetoxyscirpenol | OTA: Ochratoxin A | Ergots: Ergot Alkaloids

Fish

Effects of mycotoxins on the health of fish

Trichothecenes (DON, T-2)

  • Reduced feed consumption
  • Decreased hemoglobin concentration, lower hematocrit value
  • Poorer feed conversion rate 

Aflatoxin B1

  • Highly carcinogenic
  • Liver tumors, liver lesions
  • Severe hepatic necrosis
  • Pale gills
  • Impaired blood clotting
  • Anemia
  • Pale yellow kidney lesions 

All mycotoxins

  • Reduced growth
  • Higher mortality
  • Lower weight gain 

Ochratoxin A

  • Poorer feed conversion rate
  • Severe histopathological lesions of liver and posterior kidneys
  • Liver necrosis
  • Pale, swollen kidneys

Fumonisins

  • Lower hematocrit value
  • Histopathological lesions
  • Lesions in the exocrine and endocrine pancreas
  • Lesions in inter-renal tissue

Meaning of abbreviations:

DON: Deoxynivalenol | ZEN: Zearalenone | AFB1: Aflatoxin B1 | FUM: Fumonisins | T-2: T-2 Toxin | HT-2: HT-2 Toxin | NIV: Nivalenol | DAS: Diacetoxyscirpenol | OTA: Ochratoxin A | Ergots: Ergot Alkaloids

Shrimp

Effects of mycotoxins on the health of shrimp

Trichothecenes (DON, T-2)

  • Reduced body weight
  • Inhomogeneous growth
  • Physiological disorders
  • Lower hematocrit value

Aflatoxin B1

  • Low digestibility
  • Negative effect on digestive enzymes
  • Physiological disorders and histological changes
  • Hepato-pancreatic damage
  • Lower hematocrit value
  • Reduced growth
  • Increased mortality 

All mycotoxins

  • Poor growth
  • Immunosuppression
  • Increased mortality 

Zearalenone

  • White Shrimp - reduced growth
  • Deposit in meat

Meaning of abbreviations:

DON: Deoxynivalenol | ZEN: Zearalenone | AFB1: Aflatoxin B1 | FUM: Fumonisins | T-2: T-2 Toxin | HT-2: HT-2 Toxin | NIV: Nivalenol | DAS: Diacetoxyscirpenol | OTA: Ochratoxin A | Ergots: Ergot Alkaloids

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  • dsm-firmenich Mycotoxin Survey

    The dsm-firmenich Mycotoxin Survey constitutes the longest running and most comprehensive data set on mycotoxin occurrence. The survey results provide insights on the incidence of the six major mycotoxins in the agricultural commodities used for livestock feed in order to identify the potential risk posed to livestock animal production.

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