Mycotoxins

Alvaro Garcia

Molds that produce mycotoxins are present in the environment and will grow readily on feedstuffs given the right conditions. The production of these mycotoxins in feeds is expressed mainly under conditions of environmental stress. The three more prevalent genus of molds are Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium.

Fernando Diaz

Fungal species of Fusarium produce the mycotoxins deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, and zearalenone. The limits established for dairy cattle by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US for deoxynivalenol and fumonisin are 5 ppm and 30 ppm, respectively. Although the FDA does not suggest safety guidelines for zearalenone, the European Commission established 250 ppb as the maximum legal limit in complete feed for this mycotoxin.