Effect of trichotecenes in poultry production and methods of control

Abstract

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of fungal metabolism and are formed during grain production and storage. The presence of mycotoxins in agricultural production, and animal and human health results in economic losses and health problems, hence it has received more attention these days.There are several types of mycotoxins produced by particular fungi, which trichothecenes: T2 toxin, deoxynivalenol (DON) and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), and aflatoxins are the groupsresponsable for the most losses in poultry production, mainly due to immunosuppression in animals.Only a few studies were found concerning the effects of trichothecenes in poultry production. There are still no definitive parameters related to the exact amount of trichothecenes which are harmful for birds, especially concerning DON.An alternative option to minimize the effects of mycotoxins is the insertion of antimicotoxins additives at poultry diets, reducing economic losses and their impact on animal and human health.This paper aims to present the resulting effects from ingestion of diets contaminated with trichothecenes on poultry performance and metabolism, as well as its economic impact and effects on human health, also presenting methods to control trichothecenes on their diet.