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Aflatoxins

Many times the question is asked, "What is a mycotoxin?" A mycotoxin is a chemical which is a metabolic product from a fungus. There are over 100 fungi known to produce toxic metabolites under certain conditions, in either standing crops or stored feeds. However, only 20-30 of these fungi are associated with diseases of humans or animals.

To produce mycotoxins, fungi require nutrients, a particular moisture content of the substance, a certain relative humidity, proper temperatures, and neutral to slightly alkaline conditions. If all the conditions are correct for the fungus to grow, the fungus may produce the toxic metabolic product. The substances mycotoxins grow on are varied, but include corn, cottonseed, peanuts, pecans, walnuts and many others.

Aflatoxin is a common mycotoxin which may be found on animal feed stuffs such as corn, cottonseed and others. It can affect humans and animals and has a regulatory limit because of its potential health affects on people. The amount of aflatoxin is regulated in milk since it is important as a food. The levels of aflatoxin in beef cattle feed is higher than for dairy cattle. High aflatoxin levels fed for a long period of time may produce disease in cattle and other animals.

Other common mycotoxins include zeralenone, ochratoxin, fumonisin, DAS, DON and T-2 toxin to mention a few. The veterinary toxicologists at Garland, Bailey and Associates will be pleased to help you with cases involving mycotoxins.