Evaluation of aluminosilicate compounds to reduce aflatoxin residues and toxicity to poultry and livestock: a review report.

The aflatoxins (AFs) are reported to be hepatotoxic, mutagenic, immunosuppressive, and carcinogenic. Methods to prevent, reduce, or remediate AF toxicity and residues in the environment are in great demand. Various AF-detoxification procedures are reviewed with particular emphasis on ammoniation and the use of adsorbent compounds to bind AF. A series of in vivo experiments by the authors are reviewed that evaluated the ability of a specific hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS) adsorbent to reduce the toxicity of AF to poultry and livestock and to reduce AF residues in milk. These studies showed that HSCAS forms stable bonds with AF in vitro, and when added to AF-contaminated poultry and livestock feeds, HSCAS is able to protect chickens, swine, and lambs from the deleterious toxic effects of AF and to reduce AF residues in milk of dairy cows and goats. These results indicate that HSCAS, when used in conjunction with other mycotoxin management practices, may prove effective for the preventive management of AF-contaminated feedstuffs in livestock and poultry and may reduce AF residues in the food-chain.