Saccharomyces cerevisiae, bentonite, and kaolin as adsorbents for reducing the adverse impacts of mycotoxin contaminated feed on broiler histopathology and hemato-biochemical changes

Research (Published online: 05-01-2021)

3. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, bentonite, and kaolin as adsorbents for reducing the adverse impacts of mycotoxin contaminated feed on broiler histopathology and hemato-biochemical changes

Toochukwu Ejiofor, Anthony Christian Mgbeahuruike, Chiamaka Ojiako, Ashang Micheal Ushie, Emmanuela Ifeoma Nwoko, Ibe Remigius Onoja, Toluwase Dada, Mulunda Mwanza and Magnus Karlsson

Veterinary World, 14(1): 23-32

Toochukwu Ejiofor: Department of Agric Education, Faculty of Vocational Technical Education, University of Nigeria, 410002 Nsukka, Nigeria.

Anthony Christian Mgbeahuruike: Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, 410002, Nsukka, Nigeria.

Chiamaka Ojiako: Department of Agric Education, Faculty of Vocational Technical Education, University of Nigeria, 410002 Nsukka, Nigeria.

Ashang Micheal Ushie: Department of Agric Education, Faculty of Vocational Technical Education, University of Nigeria, 410002 Nsukka, Nigeria.

Emmanuela Ifeoma Nwoko: Department of Human Kinetics and Physical Education, Faculty of Education, University of Nigeria, 410002 Nsukka, Nigeria.

Ibe Remigius Onoja: Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, 410002, Nsukka, Nigeria.

Toluwase Dada: Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, Private Bag X 2046 Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa.

Mulunda Mwanza: Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, Private Bag X 2046 Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa.

Magnus Karlsson: Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU, Box 7026, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2021.23-32

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Article history: Received: 25-06-2020, Accepted: 20-11-2020, Published online: 05-01-2021

Corresponding author: Anthony Christian Mgbeahuruike

E-mail: anthony.mgbeahuruike@unn.edu.ng

Citation: Ejiofor T, Mgbeahuruike AC, Ojiako C, Ushie AM, Nwoko EI, Onoja IR, Dada T, Mwanza M, Karlsson M (2021) Saccharomyces cerevisiae, bentonite, and kaolin as adsorbents for reducing the adverse impacts of mycotoxin contaminated feed on broiler histopathology and hemato-biochemical changes, Veterinary World, 14(1): 23-32.

Abstract

Background and Aim: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, bentonite and kaolin were used to reduce the adverse effects of mold-contaminated diet on broilers. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of S. cerevisiae, bentonite, and kaolin in reducing the adverse effects of mold (fungal) contaminated diet on broilers. Specifically, we investigated the histopathological, hematological, and serum biochemical changes associated with broilers fed mold-contaminated diets supplemented with these three adsorbents. We also isolated and identified the common fungal contaminants in the poultry feeds as well as the mycotoxins they produced.

Materials and Methods: Hundred broilers (3-weeks-old) were randomly grouped into five dietary treatments, basal feed (negative control), feed contaminated with mold, mold-contaminated feed+S. cerevisiae, mold-contaminated feed+bentonite, and mold-contaminated feed+kaolin. The fungal contaminants in the feeds were isolated and molecularly identified while the mycotoxins in the feed where analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Blood samples of birds from each group were analyzed for hematology and serum biochemistry. The liver, spleen, kidney, and bursa of Fabricius of the birds were excised and analyzed for histopathological changes.

Results: The most common fungal contaminants in the feeds were Penicillium (33.3%) species, followed by Aspergillus species (22.2%). The mold-contaminated feed had the highest number of fungal contaminants, 55.6%, while the negative control (basal feed group) had none. Total aflatoxin and deoxynivalenol were high in the mold-contaminated feed (53.272 μg/kg and 634.5 μg kg, respectively), but these were reduced by the addition of adsorbents to the feed. The birds fed mold-contaminated feed had significantly (p<0.05) reduced red blood cell count counts, packed cell volume, and hemoglobin but increased white blood cell count compared to the negative control. Liver enzyme activity (alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase) and cholesterol concentration increased significantly (p<0.05) in the group fed mold-contaminated feed while the serum albumin and total protein decreased significantly (p<0.05) in comparison with the negative control. Adverse histopathological changes were observed in the liver, kidney, spleen, and bursa of Fabricius in the group fed mold-contaminated feed. Addition of S. cerevisiae, bentonite or kaolin in the mold-contaminated feed ameliorated these toxic effects.

Conclusion: The observed histopathological lesions were consistent with mycotoxicosis in birds and were mild in the adsorbent treated groups. Kaolin had a higher protective effect against mycotoxicosis than the two other adsorbents.

Keywords: adsorbent, feed, mold, mycotoxin, pathology, Saccharomyces cerevisiae.