Protective effect of a new generation of activated and purified bentonite in combination with yeast and phytogenic substances on mycotoxin challenge in pigs

The study aimed to investigate the efficacy of new mycotoxin adsorbents based on purified and activated bentonites combined with yeast and phytogenic compounds in fattening pigs. The experiment involved 96 pigs (31.2±2.4 kg). Control (C) group was fed a diet naturally contaminated with mycotoxins (5 mg/kg deoxynivalenol, DON) without an adsorbent. Treated groups received the feed with mycotoxin adsorbents: purified and activated bentonite (T1), purified and activated bentonite, yeast derivatives, phytogenic substances (T2), and purified, activated, and sulphurated bentonite with phytogenic substances (T3). Evaluated parameters involved growth performance, organ weight, small intestine and liver histopathology, complete blood count, serum biochemistry, antioxidant status of the organism and total and free DON content in urine. In all treated groups, an significant increase in intestinal GSH and GSH/GSSG ratio was observed when compared to C. No significant effects on liver and kidney weight, complete blood count, serum or intestinal malondialdehyde concentration, or total/free DON content in urine were observed. All adsorbents improved histopathological findings in the liver when compared to C. Moreover, T1, and T2 groups showed no presence of inflammatory reaction or necrotic changes in the livers. Although, mycotoxin adsorbents investigated in this study had no significant impact on pig growth performance, they reduced the oxidative stress, and on the tissue level they protected the jejunal tissue and liver parenchyma under deoxynivalenol challenge.

Usability of graphene oxide as a mycotoxin binder: In vitro study

Mycotoxin management in agriculture is an essential challenge for maintaining the health of both animals and humans. Choosing the right adsorbent is still a question for many breeders and an important criterion for feed manufacturers. New adsorbents are still being sought. Graphene oxide is a promising material in the field of nanotechnology, which excels in its adsorption properties. Presented in vitro study investigates graphene oxide for the binding of mycotoxins from crushed wheat. The results show that graphene oxide has an adsorption capacity for aflatoxin 0.045 mg/g, zearalenone 0.53 mg/g and deoxynivalenol 1.69 mg/g at 37° C. In vitro simulation of crushed wheat digestion showed rapid adsorption during the gastric phase. Of the minerals, Mg, Cu and Zn were the most adsorbed. The applied dose of graphene oxide of 10 mg/g caused only a slight inhibition of the digestive enzymes α-amylase and trypsin compared to pepsin and gastric lipase. In vitro results indicated the suitability of graphene oxide in the adsorption of the aflatoxin, zearalenone and deoxynivalenol.

Development of pH-Responsive Biopolymeric Nanocapsule for Antibacterial Essential Oils

It is generally believed that antibacterial essential oils have the potential to become one of the alternatives in preventing diarrheal diseases of monogastric animals. The disadvantage is their low efficiency per oral due to easy degradation during digestion in the stomach. This study compares the efficacy of chitosan, alginate-chitosan, guar gum-chitosan, xanthan gum-chitosan and pectin-chitosan nanocapsules to the synthesis of pH-responsive biopolymeric nanocapsule for Thymus vulgaris, Rosmarinus officinalis and Syzygium aromaticum essential oils. Using spectrophotometric approach and gas chromatography, release kinetics were determined in pH 3, 5.6 and 7.4. The growth rates of S. aureus and E. coli, as well as minimal inhibition concentration of essential oils were studied. The average encapsulation efficiency was 60%, and the loading efficiency was 70%. The size of the nanocapsules ranged from 100 nm to 500 nm. Results showed that chitosan-guar gum and chitosan-pectin nanocapsules released 30% of essential oils (EOs) at pH 3 and 80% at pH 7.4 during 3 h. Similar release kinetics were confirmed for thymol, eugenol and α-pinene. Minimal inhibition concentrations of Thymus vulgaris and Syzygium aromaticum essential oils ranged from 0.025 to 0.5%. Findings of this study suggest that the suitable pH-responsive nanocapsule for release, low toxicity and antibacterial activity is based on chitosan-guar gum structure.