The Efficacy of Additives for the Mitigation of Aflatoxins in Animal Feed: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare and identify the most effective feed additives, including those involving alanine transaminase (ALT), to mitigate the toxic effects of aflatoxins in poultry production.
Results Summary
Supplementing aflatoxin-contaminated feeds with additives significantly reduced serum ALT levels (p < 0.001), with inorganic binders being the most effective, followed by antioxidants and organic binders.
Population
Poultry (livestock sector)
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exposure of animals to an aflatoxin-contaminated diet | decrease | feed efficiency | animals | - | impairs | #1 |
Exposure of animals to an aflatoxin-contaminated diet | increase | susceptibility to diseases | animals | - | increases | #2 |
Exposure of animals to an aflatoxin-contaminated diet | increase | mortality | animals | - | results in | #3 |
Exposure of animals to an aflatoxin-contaminated diet | increase | feed waste | animals | - | results in | #4 |
Exposure of animals to an aflatoxin-contaminated diet | increase | increased production costs | animals | - | results in | #5 |
aflatoxins | increase | milk | animals | - | can also be excreted in | #6 |
Supplementing aflatoxin-contaminated feeds with different categories of additives | decrease | serum ALT levels | birds fed only a contaminated diet | p < 0.001 | significantly reduces | #7 |
Inorganic binder | increase | efficiency | poultry | P-score 0.8615 | was ranked to be the most efficient in terms of counteracting the toxic effect of aflatoxins | #8 |
Antioxidant | increase | efficiency | poultry | P-score 0.6159 | was ranked to be the second most efficient in terms of counteracting the toxic effect of aflatoxins | #9 |
Organic binder | increase | efficiency | poultry | P-score 0.5018 | was ranked to be the third most efficient in terms of counteracting the toxic effect of aflatoxins | #10 |
The contamination of animal feed with aflatoxins is an ongoing and growing serious issue, particularly for livestock farmers in tropical and subtropical regions. Exposure of animals to an aflatoxin-contaminated diet impairs feed efficiency and increases susceptibility to diseases, resulting in mortality, feed waste, and increased production costs. They can also be excreted in milk and thus pose a significant human health risk. This systematic review and network meta-analysis aim to compare and identify the most effective intervention to alleviate the negative impact of aflatoxins on the important livestock sector, poultry production. Eligible studies on the efficacy of feed additives to mitigate the toxic effect of aflatoxins in poultry were retrieved from different databases. Additives were classified into three categories based on their mode of action and composition: organic binder, inorganic binder, and antioxidant. Moreover, alanine transaminase (ALT), a liver enzyme, was the primary indicator. Supplementing aflatoxin-contaminated feeds with different categories of additives significantly reduces serum ALT levels (p < 0.001) compared with birds fed only a contaminated diet. Inorganic binder (P-score 0.8615) was ranked to be the most efficient in terms of counteracting the toxic effect of aflatoxins, followed by antioxidant (P-score 0.6159) and organic binder (P-score 0.5018). These findings will have significant importance for farmers, veterinarians, and animal nutrition companies when deciding which type of additives to use for mitigating exposure to aflatoxins, thus improving food security and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in developing countries.