a substance synthesized by a plant, an animal, or a microorganism and is harmful to another organism. In agriculture, toxins are present in many forms.
Understanding toxins—where they occur, favorable environments, signs & symptoms, and feed allowances—is the first step in managing these disastrous compounds.
Naturally living in the animal intestinal system, endotoxins—literally meaning ‘toxin from within’—are the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) contained in the membrane of gram-negative bacteria.
The most recently ‘discovered’ mycotoxin producing mold, researchers are finding that Fusarium—producing several types of mycotoxins with different modes of actions—is the most harmful to animals.
Known for its antibacterial properties in medicine, penicillin, Penicillium is a large genus with over 150 known species. A unique trait of this mold is its ability to grow in low pH environments.
Commonly referred to as a storage toxin, Aspergillus is present in grains throughout the world and is often transported globally, making it hard to prevent it from effecting feed and food.
Ergot bodies are fungal growths that contain toxic alkaloids produced by the fungi. With a structure similar to noradrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine, ergot alkaloids stimulate vasoconstriction in the body.
