Viability of the use of mycotoxin adsorbent in the finishing of Texel lambs in confinement

• Published in: Tropical animal health and production Vol. 53; no. 1; p. 170
• Main Authors: de Almeida Rego, Fabiola Cristine, Savio, Pedro Leonardo Olszewski, Pertile, Simone Fernanda Nedel, dos Santos, Joice Sifuentes, Eleodoro, Josiane Ito, Teixeira, Alfredo Jorge Costa, Zundt, Marilice, da Cunha Filho, Luiz Fernando Coelho, Barreto, José Victor Pronievicz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 17-02-2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adsorbents; Aflatoxin B1; Aflatoxins; Animals; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Body weight; Body weight gain; Carcasses; Cell walls; Conformation; Deoxynivalenol; Diet; Feeds; Finishing; Fumonisin B1; Glucans; Laboratories; Life Sciences; Mycotoxins; Nutrition research; Regular Articles; Soybeans; Veterinary Medicine/Veterinary Science; Zearalenone; Zoology; β-Glucan; Performance; Weight gain; Agricultural by-products; Carcass; Production costs
• ISSN: 0049-4747; 1573-7438
• DOI: 10.1007/s11250-021-02619-0

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the viability of a mycotoxin adsorbent based on beta-glucans from cell walls of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
and bentonites in the diets of confined lambs of the Texel breed. Twenty-four lambs (12 males and 12 females) with an average weight of 18.6 kg ± 1.6 were divided into two groups: treated (with adsorbent) and control. The animal diets contained the mycotoxins aflatoxin B1, fumonisin B1 and B2, zearalenone, and deoxynivalenol in concentrations within guidance levels. The animals were slaughtered with body weight of approximately 26.4 kg. The performance and carcass variables of the lambs were evaluated. The daily weight gain was higher in the treated group (216.24 g) than in the control group (185.90 g). The averages for loin eye area, subcutaneous fat thickness, and marbling were 13.93 cm
2
, 2.66 mm, and 3.20 in the treated group and 12.16 cm
2
, 2.6 mm, and 3.25 in the control group, respectively. The true, hot, and cold carcass yield, and the carcass cooling losses did not differ between groups. The carcasses were similar in conformation and fat finishing degree, with averages of 3.95 and 3.83, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the effect of a mycotoxin additive in the diet of finishing lambs. The use of mycotoxin adsorbent in confined lambs was feasible, and its use resulted in greater daily weight gain in lambs and average net profit.