Fusarium mycotoxins in conventionally and organically grown grain from Thuringia/Germany

Thefusarium mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZON) were determined in conventionally and organically grown grain harvested 1998 in Thuringia/Germany. A total of 196 wheat samples and 69 rye samples was analysed.In this year with heavy rainfalls during the summer months, high concentrations offusarium mycotoxins were typical in grain grown in Germany, as the DON concentrations found here. DON concentrations in conventionally grown wheat were found to be significantly higher than in organically grown wheat. 69% of the conventionally grown wheat were tested positive, containing a mean concentration of 1540 µg/kg DM. In 54% of the organically grown wheat samples DON was detected with a mean value of 760 µg/kg DM. DON concentration in rye and ZON concentration in wheat showed similar tendencies.The different cultivars of conventionally grown wheat showed large differences in DON contamination.

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Since 2003 bread and fine bakery products must not contain more than 350 μg Deoxynivalenol (DON). As a prerequisite for the label "Geprüfte Qualität"-Thüringen [proved quality Thuringia] and since coming into force of the respective evaluation prescription a total of 25 breads and 41 fine bakery products was investigated by ELISA with regard of this compound. In the 66 samples of the year 2003 no DON concentrations above the limit were detected and in the preparation period 2001/2002 only one sample exceeded the maximum. In several samples, most narrow to the maximum limit, an additional determination by HPLC was performed which resulted in lower DON-concentrations as compared to the values analyzed by ELISA.

Influence of a conjugated linoleic acid mixture on growth, organ weights, carcass traits and meat quality in growing pigs

Grain soybean meal diets, either with 2% of a conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) preparation or with 2% rapeseed oil (control), were tested in 2 x 40 pigs, Pietrain x (Landrace x Large White), each group with 20 female in the live weight range 23.5-117.0 kg and 20 male-castrated pigs in the live weight range 23.5-110.6 kg. The CLA-content of the preparation amounted to 54.0% cis/trans + trans/cis, 8.7% cis/cis and 32.7% trans/trans isomers. Daily weight gain, feed intake and feed : gain ratio were not influenced by the diets tested. The carcass lean increased significantly from 57.2% of the control group to 58.7% in the CLA group (p < 0.05). The male-castrated showed a stronger CLA effect than the female pigs - not only was the carcass lean significantly increased by 2%, but backfat thickness was significantly decreased by 2.8 mm, i.e. minus 11% (as compared with barrows of the control). The meat of CLA-fed pigs had a higher conductivity. A CLA effect on further meat quality characteristics (pH 45 min post-mortem, impedance, colour criteria, intramuscular fat, drip loss, frying loss, shear force, sensory attributes) could not be detected. There were some significant correlations between the meat quality attributes.

Monitoring of fusarium toxins in cereals and feed-stuffs from thuringia (1998 - 2001)

From 1998 to 2001 a total of about 1172 conventionally and organically produced samples of wheat, rye, barley and triticale were examined for the presence of deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZON). Furthermore, feedstuffs for pigs were included in the monitoring of Fusarium toxins. DON and ZON analyses were performed using ELISA or HPLC. The incidences and levels of toxins varied from year to year. Overall contamination levels were highest in wheat and triticale, followed by rye and barley. The highest DON contaminations were found in 1998. The probes of the years 1999-2001 showed lower incidences of Fusarium toxins. The second examined mycotoxin ZON was detected at lower levels in cereals. Similar results were observed in the monitoring of feedstuffs.

Counteracting the negative effects of rapeseed and rapeseed press cake in pig diets

Rapeseed and rapeseed press cake were tested in four long-term experiments with a total of ninety-eight pigs. Rapeseed contained 20 and rapeseed press cake 19 mmol glucosinolates/kg DM. The proportion of the tested rapeseed products in feed amounted to 0 (control), 50, 100 and 150 g/kg diet. Moist-heat-treated rapeseed and rapeseed press cake with an extremely low glucosinolate content were also given at 150 g/kg diet. Each dietary rapeseed product level was given with 125 or 250 microgram supplementary I/kg diet. Reduced feed intake and growth retardation were found in groups receiving 150 g rapeseed products/kg diet; in the case of rapeseed the impairments were significant. Rapeseed products > or = 100g/kg diet increased the thyroid weight and decreased the serum thyroxine (T4) concentration. Higher I dosage brought the serum T4 concentration to the level of the control group and retarded thyroid enlargement. Intake of rapeseed products lowered the I content of the thyroid; however, there was no significant difference between groups given 0.9 mmol glucosinolates/kg diet and those receiving three times as much. Degrading glucosinolates by moisture and heat prevented feed intake depression and growth retardation. In the case of treated rapeseed the decreased serum T4 concentration and increased thyroid weight persisted, indicating formation of some antithyroid compounds due to myrosinase (EC 3.2.3.1) activation. A maximal glucosinolate content of 2 mmol/kg diet and additional I application are a prerequisite for using rapeseed products in pig feeding.

[Evaluation of Aspergillus niger phytase and phosphate in weaned piglets. 2. Content and gain of fat, energy, ash, Ca and P in the animal body]

A high phytic acid diet (barley, wheat, soya bean meal, 4 g P/kg diet, of that 2/3 phytate P) without added phytase, with phytase supplement (1000 U/kg diet) or with supplementary phosphate (2.2 g P/kg diet) was examined with 3 x 12 weaned piglets. The three diets contained 8 g Ca/kg. At the end of experiment 6 pigs/group were slaughtered. In animal body (as empty body) the content and gain of ash, P, Ca, protein and fat were detected. P supplementation and supplementary phytase had no effect on dry matter, protein and fat content of animal body. The enzyme but more the supplementary phosphate increased mineralization of skeleton and made the animal body higher in ash, P and Ca content. Piglets without supplementary phytase and P gained 1.1 g P daily. Phytase increased daily P gain by 0.5 g (P < 0.05), the phosphate by 1.4 g (P < 0.001). The daily Ca gain was 1.7; 2.8 and 5.1 g in the different groups. A piglet (body weight 20 kg) with sufficient P and Ca in the diet gains 5 g P and 10 g Ca per kg body weight gain (empty body).

[Evaluation of Aspergillus niger phytase and dietary phosphate in weaned piglets. 1. Growth, blood serum and bone status]

A high phytic acid diet (barley, wheat, soya bean meal, 4 g P/kg, of that 2/3 phytate P) without added phytase, with phytase supplement (1000 U/kg diet) or with supplementary phosphate (2,2g P/kg diet) was examined with 3 x 12 weaned piglets. The high dietary P level due to phosphate addition, significantly improved body weight gain and feed:gain ratio. The phytase effect on these criteria was small. The phytase but more the supplementary phosphate increased P concentration of serum. In case of phytase addition pigs had 10% less ash P and Ca in the rib than animals of phosphate group. In the group without phytase or P addition the ash, P and Ca concentration of bone were decreased by 20%.