Alltech South Africa’s Latest Weapon in the Fight against Mycotoxins

[PRETORIA, South Africa] Alltech has utilised almost 30 years of experience in the area of glycomics, the science of sugars, and its ownership and production of novel carbohydrate sources, along with real progress in the area of mycotoxin evaluation, to develop Mycosorb A⁺, the next generation mycotoxin binder. This, in addition to a revised and improved Mycotoxin Management Program, will revolutionise the mycotoxin management battlefield.

Mycosorb A⁺ reduces mycotoxin absorption within the animal, thereby negating the damaging effects of mycotoxins on its health. Looking back on  the 2012 harvest, one of the most difficult in living memory, this cutting-edge approach will augment the arsenal of producers around the world facing challenges from mycotoxins.

Historically, both the analytical and the commercial side of mycotoxin management has focused on identifying and addressing individual mycotoxins. In reality, forages and grains are naturally contaminated with multiple toxins. Effective mycotoxin management must reflect this.

Alltech’s 37⁺ analysis of the 2012 harvest has shown that 98% of samples tested globally were contaminated with mycotoxins and furthermore 93% were contaminated with multiple mycotoxins. “This highlights the extent of the broad spectrum challenge facing producers and the need to take action in order to safeguard the quality of their feed, the health of their animals and, ultimately, their profits,” said global technical manager for Alltech’s Mycotoxin Management Team, Dr. Swamy Haladi.

Dr. Alex Yiannikouris, global research director for Alltech’s Mycotoxin Management team, added “By redefining our approach to risk assessment - considering individual mycotoxin toxicity, their quantity and the synergy between toxins we can offer producers a far more relevant assessment of the risk they face. The total risk to the animal is quantified by our Toxic Equivalent Quantity (TEQ) – one number which summarises the overall challenge posed to the particular species. This TEQ redefines the way mycotoxin contamination in its entirety is approached.”

Understanding the nature of mycotoxins and their impact on the health and performance of animals at this level, was fundamental to the development of Mycosorb A⁺, a mycotoxin binder with improved binding efficacy against wider range of mycotoxins. “Mycosorb A⁺ offers producers a solution that limits the effects of more mycotoxins than ever before and mirrors far more closely the true challenge found in naturally contaminated feeds” Haladi said.