Animal feed and feed ingredients getting exposed to moulds is very common. When mould or fungus grows on feed or feed ingredients, they release certain metabolites called mycotoxins that have a harmful impact on the health and performance of the animal. The disease caused by mycotoxins is known as mycotoxicosis. It affects the central nervous system, liver & kidney, estrogenic responses, etc. Since fungi growth is typical in crops grown in hot and humid conditions, animal feed contaminated with mycotoxins is a common occurrence. However, animal feed additives like toxin binders help in keeping the feed safe for consumption. 

 Purpose of Using Toxin Binders As Animal Feed Additives

 The primary purpose of a toxin binder is to protect livestock and poultry from the effects of mycotoxins, and it is one of the main animal feed supplements that is included in feeds. Avsorb Forte, a toxin binder from a renowned animal feed supplement manufacturer, Avitech Nutrition, provides the following benefits for livestock and poultry with its product:

  This animal supplement is effective against several classes of     mycotoxins—for example, Zearalenone, T-2, DON1, Alfatoxin, etc.

Besides protecting the     animals from mycotoxins, Avsorb Forte helps eradicate other harmful     residues found in animal feeds such as chemicals, and pesticides used on     agricultural produce.

It also works against     bacterial endotoxins.

This animal feed supplement does not interfere with the     nutrition in feeds. The     vitamin and mineral in the feed stays intact for animal nutrition.

 Role Of Activated Carbon In Controlling Mycotoxins

 During experiments on mycotoxins, activated carbon was found to be showing the highest binding capacity. Activated carbon, as a toxin binder, has a broad spectrum of activity against mycotoxins like Zearalenone, T-2, DON, Aflatoxins etc.

 Role Of Activated Carbon In Controlling Chemical Toxins

 Activated carbon is an excellent adsorbent of chemicals and toxins because of its high mesoporosity. It is equally good at absorbing chemicals and toxins of any sort present in the feed and/or intestinal tract. Hence, Avsorb Forte with its activated carbon content serves as a complete toxin binder.

 The Recommended Inclusion of Avsorb Forte, a Toxin Binder, In Feed

 Avitech Nutrition, a renowned animal feed supplement manufacturer, recommends the following toxin binder inclusion in the feeds:s

  For Poultry: 1 Kg/MT of the     complete feed

For Dairy Cattle: 1 Kg/MT of     the complete feed

For Aqua: 1 Kg/MT of the     complete feed

Trace elements have a vital role to play in the many metabolic functions within the body. There are two broad categories of trace minerals. They are inorganic trace minerals and organic trace minerals. Organic trace elements are chelates or complexes of minerals with organic ligands. Organic trace minerals in animal nutrition are easier absorbed in the gut and have improved bioavailability. When minerals are bound to chelating agents like amino acids or hydrolyzed proteins, they become stable and thus, less reactive in the digestive tract. The common organic trace minerals for cattle, swine, aqua and poultry nutrition are iron, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, and chromium.

 Why OTMs?

 Supplementation of organic trace minerals in animal feed improves body weight gain and production of egg and milk etc. Another important application of organic trace minerals is reducing excretion, which reduces environmental pollution and wastage of nutrients. Apart from production, organic trace minerals improve immunity and reproductive performance. Animals that are fed with organic trace minerals have higher milk yield and fat levels than those fed with inorganic trace minerals.

 Organic zinc improves the resistance to mastitis due to the postulated role of Zn in maintaining the skin integrity and the keratin lining of the streak canal. Udder health can also be enhanced by reducing somatic cell counts. This is done by adding organic trace mineral supplements.

 Types of OTMs

 The different types of OTMs include:

  Glycinates

Metal (specific amino acid) complexes 

Metal amino acid complexes 

Metal proteinates

Metal polysaccharide complexes

Metal propionates

 Criteria to select OTM

 There are a number of parameters to consider when choosing the right organic trace minerals - size, specificity, solubility and stability.

 a) Solubility – High solubility in the gastrointestinal tract enables homogenous distribution and greater absorption.

b) Size – Small size leads to enhanced absorption and improved metabolic utilization.

c) Stability – Higher stability ensures reduced interaction, leading to protection from separation in the GIT.

d) Specificity – Standard molecular structure is important for consistent performance.

  Glycinates

 Glycinates are the smallest complex trace elements with the highest mineral content.

These are organically bound trace elements used as animal feed supplements due to their higher bioavailability. Glycinate usage results in higher animal performance and better animal vitality and productivity.

 Performins

 Performins is a range of organic trace mineral glycinates that enhances animal performance. This is the only trace mineral glycinate with separate formulations for broilers, dairy, layers, breeders, and shrimp. Performins is also available in the form of individual minerals - Performins Zinc, Performins Copper, Performins Iron and Performins Manganese

 Inclusion

Broiler(Birds): 0.5 Kg per MT of feed

Layer(Poultry): 1 Kg per MT of feed

Breeder: 1 Kg per MT of feed

Dairy: 250 – 500 g per MT (Commercial)