Ochratoxin: a risk for human and animal health

13 Jul 2022

Ochratoxin: a risk for human and animal health

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of several fungal mycotoxins that have generated great public concern worldwide. The disease caused by exposure to OTA is known as ochratoxicosis, affecting the kidney as its target organ.

Ochratoxin A can be found in a large number of foods. The highest reported incidence of this mycotoxin was found in cereals, and considering the fact that mycotoxins can be transferred through the food chain, it can also be found in tissues and products of animal origin. Including pork, poultry and dairy products, among others (EFSA, 2004).

Ochratoxin A is a secondary toxic metabolite produced mainly by some strains of the species Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium verrucosum. These species can grow in different climates:

  • Aspergillus are found in tropical regions
  • While Penicillium is common in temperate regions and can grow in temperatures as low as 5ºC.

In general, the formation of OTA occurs mainly after harvest in insufficiently dry cereals and cereal products. Factors that influence mycotoxin production include:

banner basf
lallemandanimalnutrition eng

 

While A. ochraceus grows better on oilseeds (peanuts and soybeans) than on cereal crops, P. verrucosum may develop better on wheat and corn.

Ochratoxin

Lallemand- Pet solutions
lallemandanimalnutrition eng
Subscribe Now!
Nuproxa international 07-2023

The presence of OTA in animal feed varies from country to country. The highest amounts have been reported in northern Europe and North America (World Health Organisation, 2002).

 

Effects of OTA on Animal Health and Production




TO CONTINUE READING REGISTER IT IS COMPLETELY FREE


Access to articles in PDF
Keep up to date with our newsletters
Receive the magazine for free in digital version




REGISTRATION




ACCESS
YOUR ACCOUNT







LOGIN


Lost your password?




 

BANNER de LALLEMAND
Nuproxa international 07-2023
lallemandanimalnutrition eng
Subscribe Now!
Related with Animal Health
Latest posts about Animal Health
banner special nutrients
lallemandanimalnutrition eng
Lallemand- Pet solutions
banner basf

MAGAZINE NUTRINEWS INTERNATIONAL

Subscribe now to the technical magazine of animal nutrition

ÚNETE A NUESTRA COMUNIDAD NUTRICIONAL

  • Acceso a los artículos en PDF
  • Mantente al día con nuestros boletines
  • Recibe gratuitamente la revista en versión digital
DISCOVER
AgriFM - Los podcast del sector ganadero en español
agriCalendar - El calendario de eventos del mundo agroganaderoagriCalendar
agrinewsCampus - Cursos de formación para el sector de la ganadería