Efficacy of a multicomponent mycotoxin detoxifying agent on concurrent exposure to zearalenone and T-2 mycotoxin in weaned pigs

The aim of the present in vivo study was to evaluate the efficacy of a novel multicomponent mycotoxin detoxifying agent, as mineral premix consisting of modified zeolite, Bacillus spp., yeast cell wall and silymarin (MMDA; Patent Co, Misicevo, Serbia), in-feed to adsorb mycotoxins zearalenone (ZEN) and T-2, administered through feed in weaned pigs. In total, 112 post-weaning barrows and gilts (Danbred x Piétrain) from the 25th day of age (day 0 of the trial) until 66th day of age (end of trial) were allocated in four trial groups. Each group consisted of 28 pigs placed in seven pens (replicates) with four animals in each pen. Group G1 served as control group that received feed without any mycotoxins or MMDA; Group G2 received feed with spiked corn and wheat reaching contamination levels of 0.35 mg ZEN/kg and 0.5 mg T2/kg feed. Group G3 received contaminated feed (similar contamination levels with G2 group) with the additions of 1 g MMDA/kg, whereas G4 group received also contaminated feed (similar contamination levels with G2 group) with the addition of 3 g MMDA/kg. Growth performance (body weight, average daily gain, feed conversion ratio), as well as hematological and serum biochemical parameters, fecal scoring, gross pathology, and mycotoxins residue levels in liver, spleen, kidneys and muscle tissue were assessed. Results suggested that inclusion of MMDA in trial diets induced dose-dependent reduction of genital organs (sum of ovaries, cornu uteri and vagina-vestibule) relative weight and vulva size, which had been increased due to ZEN ingestion in G2 group. Additionally, in both groups that received MMDA, significantly reduced residue levels of ZEN in liver and kidney samples were observed, in comparison with G2 group. Significant residue levels reduction of T-2/HT-2 toxins was also observed in kidney samples of MMDA-fed groups when compared with G2 group. Taken together MMDA added to diets containing ZEN and T-2 toxin has a dose dependent affinity for ZEN and to a lower extend for T2 toxin, whereas such effect seems greater at inclusion level of 3 g MMDA/kg feed.