Mycotoxin testing doesn't have to be painful

Table

Turnaround time

False Positives

Certainty

With Dairyland

3-5 days in lab

None

with stable isotopes

Without Dairyland

2-3 weeks for HPLC-MS/MS analysis

Common in silages and TMRs with ELISA or TLC methods

Vulnerable to inaccuracy in mixed and soil-contaminated feeds without stable isotopes

Methods Matter

Why HPLC-MS/MS with stable isotopes?

SCIEX_Topaz_System-w

Other methods like ELISA and TLC kits are prone to false-positives, especially in silages and TMRs where pH variation and soil contamination is common. 

With HPLC-MS/MS methods false positives are eliminated by identifying mycotoxins based on their molecular weight before and after fracturing. 

SCIEX_Topaz_System-w

Forages uniquely challenge traditional  HPLC-MS/MS systems because they are complex mixtures of leaves, stems, kernels, and often soil contamination.  Each component can individually enhance or suppress the signal in an HPLC-MS/MS instrument, causing over or underestimation of the true mycotoxin content. 

By using stable isotopes, Dairyland corrects for this enhanced or suppressed signal on a per-sample basis instead of assuming all haylages, small grain silages, or corn silages are the same. 

SCIEX_Topaz_System-w

Other methods rely on feed-type specific "validation" or "matrix matching," but how can you validate a feed type that contains a mixture of any feed types on earth?

 

By utilizing stable isotopes, Dairyland avoids this problem and directly measures the amount of mycotoxin present in each sample, regardless of the feed types that went into the TMR. 

No More False Positives

Forage Proof

TMR Proof

Mycotoxin packages

Basic

$1750

Select

$2308

Complete

$30016

Any individual mycotoxin

$588

Basic

Select

Complete

Any individual mycotoxin

Mycotoxins included

Aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1, G2)
-
Vomitoxin (DON)
-
Zearalenone
-
T2/HT2
-
Fumonisin (B1, B2, B3)
-
Ochratoxin A
-
Roquefortine C
-
Fusaric Acid
-
-
3 & 15 Acetyl DON
-
-
Citrinin
-
-
Patulin
-
-
-
Fusarenon X
-
-
-
Nivalenol
-
-
-
Neosalaniol
-
-
-
DAS
-
-
-

Interpretation

Livestock responses to mycotoxin exposure vary depending on:

      • Species

      • Physiological status (pregnant, lactating, etc.)

      • The combination of mycotoxins present

      • Exposure to other stressors

        The table below summarizes concern and potentially harmful thresholds in total ration dry matter from various sources. 

Safe thresholds for individual feeds depend on the proportion of the diet a feed represents and the mycotoxin contribution from other feeds.

Aflatoxin ppb

*All species: 20

**Cattle: 20

**Swine: 20

**Equine: 20

Vomitoxin (DON) ppm

*All species: 0.3

**Cattle: 2.5

**Swine: 0.6

**Equine: 0.4

Zearalenone ppb

*All species: 250

**Cattle: 3,900

**Swine: 600

**Equine: NA

T2/HT2 ppb

*All species: 100

**Cattle: 700

**Swine: 700

**Equine: NA

Fumonisin ppm

*All species: 1

**Cattle: 6.7

**Swine: 11.1

**Equine: 7

Ochratoxin-A ppb

*All species: 250

**Cattle: 5,000

**Swine: 700

**Equine: NA

Roquefortine C ppb

*All species: 1,000

**Cattle: NA

**Swine: NA

**Equine: NA

Aflatoxin

Vomitoxin (DON)

Zearalenone

T2/HT2

Fumonisin

Ochratoxin-A

Roquefortine C

Unit

ppb

ppm

ppb

ppb

ppm

ppb

ppb

*All species

20

0.3

250

100

1

250

1,000

**Cattle

20

2.5

3,900

700

6.7

5,000

NA

**Swine

20

0.6

600

700

11.1

700

NA

**Equine

20

0.4

NA

NA

7

NA

NA

*Concern levels indicate enough mycotoxin that some types of livestock may experience performance decline. 
**Potentially harmful levels for specific types of livestock indicate probably performance decline and/or an FDA regulated level of mycotoxin. 

Learn more...

Aflatoxin

Major crops affected

Corn, corn silage, milo, sorghums, peanuts, and cottonseed

Associated mold

Aspergillus sp. (primarily Aspergillus flavus, A. nomius, and A. parasiticus)

Conditions favoring production

Heat and drought stress pre-harvest. Heat and humidity post-harvest

Symptoms

Primary target is the liver, resulting in abnormal blood clotting, jaundice, hemorrhaging, and reduced immune response. Affects rumen function in vitro and in vivo by decreasing cellulose digestion, volatile fatty acid formation, and proteolysis. 

Acute: Inappetance, lethargy, ataxia, rough hair coat, and pale/enlarged fatty livers.

Chronic: Reduced feed efficiency and milk production, jaundice, decreased appetite, and reduced immune function. 

FDA Action Levels
For Level (ppb) Commodities
All animal species 20 All feed (exceptions below)
Breeding cattle, breeding swine, and mature poultry 100 Corn and peanuts
Finishing swine (>100 lbs.) 200 Corn and peanut products
Finishing beef cattle 300 Corn and peanut products
Beef cattle, swine, or poultry 300 Cottonseed meal
Immature animals 20 Animal feeds and ingredients, excluding cottonseed meal
Dairy animals, animals not listed above, or unknown use 20 Animal feeds and ingredients
Milk <0.5   

Vomitoxin (DON)

Major crops affected

Cereal grains and their corresponding silages

Associated mold

Fusarium sp.

Conditions favoring production

Wet, rainy and humid weather from flowering to harvest in corn and small grains. The results are Gibberella ear rot in corn or head blight in sorghum, barley, wheat, oats, and rye. Low temperatures following infection may increase DON production. DON can proliferate in stored grain with high moisture contents.

Symptoms

Digestive disorders (vomiting, diarrhea, reduced feed intake, & feed refusal); reduced feed efficiency, reduced weight gain or slowed growth; anorexia (DON increases the secretion of satiety hormones in the gastrointestinal tract, subsequently disturbing the levels of serotonin in the brain, & therefore leads to changes in appetite. Also, DON induces the up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and with an increased concentration of cytokines in the brain leads to reduced feed intake.); depression; hemorrhages (stomach, heart, intestine, lung, bladder, & kidney); edema (inflammation); oral lesions; dermatitis; blood disorders (anemia & leukopenia); infertility & abortions; immunosuppression; and even mortality.

FDA Guidance Levels
Class of animal Feed & portion of the diet DON levels in feed ingredients (ppm) DON levels in total ration (ppm)
Ruminating beef and feedlot cattle older than 4 months Grain and grain byproducts 10 10
Ruminating beef and feedlot cattle older than 4 months Distillers grains, brewers grains, gluten meals, and gluten feeds derived from grains not to exceed 33% of total ration 30 10
Ruminating dairy cattle older than 4 months Grain and grain byproducts not to exceed 50% of the diet 10 5
Ruminating dairy cattle older than 4 months Distillers grains, brewers grains, gluten meals, and gluten feeds derived from grains not to exceed 17% of total ration 30 ppm 5 ppm
Chickens Grain and grain byproducts not to exceed 50% of the diet 10 5
Swine Grain and grain byproducts not to exceed 20% of the diet 5 1
All other animals Grain and grain byproducts not to exceed 40% of the diet 5 2
       

 

Zearalenone

Major crops affected

Cereal grains and their corresponding silages, corn (most frequently affected), and grains/silages that are late harvested and/or late maturing. 

Associated mold

Fusarium sp.

Conditions favoring production

Cool and wet. After infestation of Fusarium mold, warm conditions promote more mold growth, while cool conditions promote more Zearalenone toxin formation. ZEA growth occurs more often in storage than in the field, in particular on high moisture grains that are questionable for storage. 

Symptoms

Estrogenic effects - Irregular heats, low conception rates, ovarian cysts, atrophy of ovaries, pseudo pregnancy, malformation of fetus, embryonic loss, abortions, infertility, vulva edema, vaginitis, vaginal secretions, prolapses, enlarged &/or twisted uterus, reproductive tract infections, abnormal return to estrus, hyperestrogenism, stillbirths, fetal mummification, udder edema, teat enlargement, udder secretions, shrunken udder/agalactia, reduced feed intake, decreased milk production, milk contamination, reduced testicular size, delayed sexual maturity (male), low sperm production, tail necrosis (swine), splay-leg of piglets, and decreased litter size (swine).

 

T-2/HT-2

Major crops affected

Cereal grains and their corresponding silages

Associated mold

Fusarium sp.

Conditions favoring production

Cool and wet weather

Symptoms

Irritation, gastroenteritis, hemorrhages, and necrosis throughout the digestive tract; dermatitis, weight loss, poor feed utilization, lack of appetite, feed refusal, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, abortion, ulcers, decreased bone marrow production, immune suppression, and death (severe cases).

 

Fumonisin

Major crops affected

Corn

Associated mold

Fusarium sverticillioides (F.moniliforme), and Fusarium proliferatum

Conditions favoring production

Period of drought during the growing season followed by cool and moist conditions during pollination and kernel formation

Symptoms

Equine: Equine leukoencephalomalacia (ELEM –characterized by facial paralysis, nervousness, lameness, ataxia, and inability to eat or drink), depression, aimless wandering, incoordination, weakness, blindness, head-pressing, coma, death from brain necrosis.
 

Swine: Porcine pulmonary edema (PPE) – Dyspnea, cyanosis of mucous membranes, weakness, recumbency, liver damage (pale & fatty liver), pancreatic necrosis, kidney damage, icterus, increased water consumption, fever, immunosuppression, decreased performance, and death. 
 

Cattle & Sheep: Inappetance, weight loss, mild liver damage (increase in liver enzymes), immunosuppression, and decreased milk production.
 

Poultry: Inappetance, weight loss, decreased performance, skeletal abnormalities, fatty liver, immunosuppression, inhomogeneous flocks, impaired feathering, and impaired intestinal health.

 
FDA Action Levels
Class of animals Corn and corn by-products (ppm) Total ration (ppm)
Equids and rabbits 5 1
Swine and catfish 20 10
Breeding ruminants, breeding poultry, and breeding mink* 30 15
Ruminants > 3 months old being raised for slaughter, mink being raised for pelt production 60 30
Poultry being raised for slaughter 100 50
All other species or classes of livestock and pet animals 10 5
Includes lactating dairy cattle and hens laying eggs for human consumption

 

Ochratoxin A

Major crops affected

Corn, barley, wheat, rye, and their associated silages.

Associated mold

Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp.

Conditions favoring production

Penicillium is a major silage mold and may be a greater silage problem because it can grow at lower pH than other molds. Considered to be more prevalent from a storage mold situation, rather than a field/growing condition mold situation.

Symptoms

Impaired kidney function/damage, liver damage (fatty liver), enteritis, necrosis of lymph nodes, and possibly blood in urine. Reduced feed intakes and performance. Inhibition of protein synthesis. Carcinogenic effects.

Fusaric acid

Major crops affected

Cereal grains and their corresponding silages.

Associated mold

Fusarium sp.

Conditions favoring production

Wet, rainy, and humid weather from flowering to harvest in corn and small grains.

Symptoms

Inhibits growth of rumen bacteria (anti-microbial), decreased microbial protein synthesis, lowers blood pressure, anemia, lower limb swelling/lameness, lethargy, reduced feed efficiency, feed refusal, udder edema, as well as many synergistic effects like vomiting and diarrhea, among other digestive disorders.

 

Trichothecene

(DAS, 3-Acetyl DON, 15-Acetyl DON, Nivalenol, and Fusarenon X)

Major crops affected

Cereal grains and their corresponding silages

Associated mold

Fusarium sp.

Conditions favoring production

Cool and wet weather

Symptoms

Digestive disorders (vomiting, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, hemorrhages, necrosis, ulcers, reduced feed intake, & feed refusal); reduced feed efficiency, reduced weight gain or slowed growth; anorexia, dermatitis, weight loss, depression, edema, blood disorders, oral lesions/irritations, infertility, immunosuppression, and even death (severe cases).

 

Citrinin

Major crops affected

Cereal grains and their associated forages.

Associated mold

Penicillium sp.  and Aspergillus sp.

Conditions favoring production

Penicillium is a major silage mold and may be a greater silage problem because it can grow at lower pH than other molds. 

Symptoms

Like Ochratoxin-A, Citrinin targets the kidneys. The primary toxic effect is the inhibition of protein synthesis. It has been shown to be a parasympathomimetic agent, causing necrosis of tubular epithelial cells in the kidney, and in some cases, hepatotoxicity, a chemically-driven liver damage condition. CTN is also known to have an antibacterial antibiotic effect. Teratogenic and carcinogenic.

 

Patulin

Major crops affected

Corn, barley, wheat, rye, their associated silages, and fruits.

Associated mold

Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp., and Byssochlamys sp.

Conditions favoring production

Penicillium is a major silage mold and may be a greater silage problem because it can grow at lower pH than other molds. 

Symptoms

Patulin is an antibiotic against gram-positive bacteria. In ruminants, Patulin has been shown to reduce VFA production, fiber digestion, and bacterial yield. Also, nephrotoxic (kidney) and immunotoxic effects. Gastrointestinal symptoms like gastric ulcers, intestinal hemorrhages, lesions in the duodenum, and alteration of intestinal barrier function.

 

Ergot

Major crops affected

Small grains, fescue, and other grasses

Associated mold

Claviceps

Conditions favoring production

Wet, cool, and cloudy during flowering. 

Symptoms

The range of ergot contamination that can cause poisoning symptoms in cattle is between 0.1 and 0.3 percent (Ergot, 2012). Acute poisoning, which results from eating a large amount of ergot at one time, causes muscular trembling, lack of coordination, convulsions, and painful contraction of the muscles. In fatal cases, the animal becomes delirious. The gangrenous type of poisoning, which follows continued feeding on smaller amounts of ergot, causes the animal to become dull and depressed and to develop gangrene of the tail, feet, ears, or teats. Gangrene may vary from rather simple sores around the coronary band or top of the hoof, in the space between the claws, or on the teats, to a loosening of the hoof or the sloughing of a larger part of a limb or of the tail, ears, or teats. (Ergot, 2013)

FDA Levels

No action, advisory, or guidance levels have been established. Wheat or durum is graded as “ergoty” when it contains more than 0.05 percent by weight of ergot sclerotia; barley, oat, and triticale when they contain more than 0.1 percent by weight, and rye when it contains more than 0.3 percent. (University of Nebraska)

 

Ergot

Prussic acid

Major crops affected

Sorghums, johnsongrass, white clover, vetch seed, chokecherry, and leaves of cherry trees.  Plants have more potential for producing prussic acid if the soil is high in Nitrogen and deficient in phosphate and potassium.

Conditions favoring production

Plant cell damage caused by wilting, frosting, heat, drought, cool and cloudy weather, or herbicides can result in elevated levels of Prussic acid.

Symptoms

Prussic Acid is very potent and fast-acting. By interfering with oxygen use at a cellular level, it can cause asphyxiation and death in just a few minutes.  Clinical signs occur rapidly and include excitement and muscle tremors, difficulty breathing, and convulsions.  The characteristic sign of Prussic Acid toxicity is bright red color of the blood which can persist for several hours after death.

Treatment of Prussic Acid poisoning is possible if done very quickly. Consult a veterinarian for diagnosis and drug treatment because Prussic Acid poisoning is often confused with nitrate poisoning and other toxins of plant origin.

Sampling

To take a good sample for prussic acid testing:

  • Obtain fresh samples during the late morning or early afternoon.  Glycoside levels typically increase in the morning and decrease in the afternoon and evening.

  • Collect random samples of several locations in a pasture or cores from several bales.

  • Seal in a plastic bag and store the sample in a dark and cold but not frozen container.

  • Deliver to the laboratory as soon as possible. Do not ship samples that will take multiple days to reach the lab.

Toxicity

The level of prussic acid required to cause toxicity varies depending on the rate of intake and individual animal tolerance.  Generally, any forage with more than 200 ppm HCN on an as-fed basis is considered dangerous.

 

 

 

Roquefortine C (RoqC)

Major crops affected

Corn, barley, wheat, rye, and their associated silages.

Associated mold

Penicillium roqueforti and other Penicillium sp.

Conditions favoring production

Penicillium is a major silage mold and may be a greater silage problem because it can grow at lower pH than other molds. Considered to be more prevalent from a storage mold situation, rather than a field/growing condition mold situation.

Symptoms

A relatively weak neurotoxin that can lead to the weakening of muscles and disrupted coordination.

It may also reduces NDF digestibility by up to 50% in vitro.

References +

 

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Mold & Yeast

Learn about our packages for mold & yeast and interpretation guides

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Dairy & Beef Nutrition

Learn about our services for dairy and beef cattle

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Equine, Small Ruminants, & Other Species

Learn about our services for other species

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