The detection and co-occurrence of mycotoxins in poultry feed using HPLC-MS/MS analysis

Authors: Pokoo-Aikins, Anthony; Hawkins, Jaci; Mitchell, Trevor; Adams, Lincoln; Shanmugasundaram, Revathi; Read, Quentin; Gold, Scott; Glenn, Anthony - Tony

Submitted to: International Poultry Scientific Forum
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/27/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites that pose problems when ingested by poultry including reduced appetite, suppressed growth, poor feed efficiency, compromised immune systems, predisposition to secondary infections, and ultimately poor production performance. Co-contamination of mycotoxins has been widely reported to exert negative synergistic effects as well. The objective of this surveillance study was to observe mycotoxin co-contamination in poultry feed and develop effective procedures to consistently quantify the mixed mycotoxin content of feed samples. We quantified the levels and combinations of Deoxynivalenol (DON), Zearalenone (ZEA), Aflatoxin (AFLA), and Fumonisins (FB’s) in 137 breeder (n=6), broiler (n=63), and layer (n=68) feed samples. Samples were analyzed via HPLC-MS/MS. Of those tested, 100% contained FB’s, 74% contained DON, 73% contained ZEA, and 13% contained AFLA. In terms of co-contamination per sample, 14% contained only FB’s, 16% contained 2 mycotoxins (DON+FB’s, ZEA+FB’s, and AFLA+FB’s), 66.4% contained 3 mycotoxins (DON+ZEA+FB’s and DON+AFLA+FB’s), and 3.6% contained all 4 mycotoxins. When samples were analyzed by feed type, the co-contamination levels in broiler vs layer feed were similar with the exception of AFLA, with 5% and 22% respectively. Additionally, the mean level of FB’s in the broiler feed was 2.5 ug/g, while the layer diets had a mean level of 0.4 ug/g. Approximately 45% of both broiler and layer feed samples had DON+ZEA+FB’s. Marginal means of mycotoxin concentration were estimated from a Gamma generalized linear mixed model. Comparisons were done using z-tests. The p-values were adjusted using the Tukey adjustment for multiple comparisons for all 4 mycotoxins, but only AFLA was significant between feed types. AFLA differed significantly between feed types ('25 = 32.6, p < 0.0001). We conclude that multiple mycotoxin contamination, particularly DON+ZEA+FB’s, is the rule in feed. All levels we observed were below FDA guidance for poultry. Because combinations of mycotoxins may be synergistic well below their individual guidance, as seen in previous studies with these combinations, knowledge of their co-occurrence and combined action is important for maximal poultry productivity and mycotoxin mitigation.