Evaluation of the Efficacy of an Aflatoxin Binder in Holstein Dairy Cows in Perú Under Field Conditions.

The strategy of adding mycotoxin binders (MTBs) to feed lactating cows to reduce the absorption of aflatoxins (AFs) in the gastrointestinal tract and reduce milk contamination by hydroxylated AF compounds, especially AFM1, to below the maximum contaminant level (MCL) has become widespread. However, the indiscriminate use of MTBs is very common. The objective of the study was to determine, under field conditions, the efficacy of an MTB in reducing AFM1 contamination in cow's milk. Feed and raw milk were evaluated on-farm using lateral flow immunochromatography devices. In a 2 × 2 Latin square design, in two separate test periods, two diets were administered consecutively to each of twelve Holstein cows (multiparous, 220 ± 20 lactation days): 1: Basal diet naturally contaminated (120 AFB1 µg/d); 2: Basal diet plus an MTB (calcium carbonate and yeast fragments; 150 g/d). MTB intake effectively reduced the mean concentration, daily excretion, and percentage transfer rate of AFM1 in milk (0.724 ± 0.045 to 0.479 ± 0.055 µg/kg, p < 0.01; 15.6 ± 1.7 to 9.7 ± 1.5 µg/d, p < 0.05; and 13.0 ± 1.4 to 8.1 ± 1.3%, p < 0.05, respectively). These results highlight the need to evaluate, under field conditions, the effectiveness of MTBs as part of a mycotoxin contamination control program on dairy farms.