Effects of a Multicomponent Mycotoxin Detoxifying Agent on Health and Performance of Weaned Pigs Under Combined Dietary Exposure to Deoxynivalenol (DON) and Zearalenone (ZEN)

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of a multicomponent mycotoxin detoxifying agent (MMDA, MYCORAID, Patent Co, Mišićevo, Serbia) in weaned pigs receiving contaminated feed with deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN). In total, 168 pigs were equally allocated in four experimental groups from day 25 to day 66 of age. The T1 group received feed without mycotoxins or MMDA. The pigs in group T2 received contaminated feed (CF) with 1.5 mg of DON/kg feed and 0.9 mg of ZEN/kg feed for the first two weeks and 1.2 mg of DON/kg feed and 0.9 mg of ZEN/kg feed for the rest of the trial period, without the addition of MMDA. Groups T3 and T4 received the CF with the addition of 1.5 g of MMDA/kg feed (T3), or 3 g of MMDA/kg feed (T4). Performance parameters, stress, and inflammatory biomarkers, as well as mycotoxin residues in liver, kidney, and muscle tissue were assessed. The results demonstrated improved average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) along with reduced DON residues in kidney samples in groups T3 and T4 when compared with the T2 group. Although a typical dose–response relationship was not present in all parameter alterations, the results of the study proved the efficacy of the test product with improved growth performance and reduced mycotoxins absorption under the concurrent DON and ZEN exposure conditions and supported its use as a mitigating tool against mycotoxicosis under field conditions.

Keywords

• weaned pigs
• deoxynivalenol
• zearalenone
• mycotoxins
• health
• inflammatory biomarkers