Co-Occurrence of Mycotoxins in the Diet and in the Milk of Dairy Cows from the Southeast Region of Brazil

Author(s)

Borowsky, Aline Moreira ; Rosim, Roice Eliana ; Tonin, Fernando Gustavo ; de Oliveira, Carlos Augusto Fernandes ; Corassin, Carlos Humberto

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: TOXINS; v. 16, n. 11, p. 11-pg., 2024-11-01.

Abstract

Mycotoxins are toxic fungi secondary metabolites that develop on feedstuffs and can be transferred into milk, thus representing a public health risk. The objective of this study was to assess the co-occurrence of mycotoxins in the diet and in the milk of dairy cows from the southeast region of Brazil. Samples of total mixed ration (TMR, n = 70) and milk (n = 70) were collected in dairy farms and subjected to multi-mycotoxin analysis using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA), and T-2 and HT-2 toxins were not detected in TMR samples. In contrast, fumonisins (FBs), zearalenone (ZEN), and deoxynivalenol (DON) were detected in 100, 93, and 24% of TMR samples at mean levels of 336.7 +/- 36.98, 80.32 +/- 16.06 mu g/kg and 292.1 +/- 85.68 mu g/kg, respectively. Ninety-two percent of TMR samples exhibited co-occurring mycotoxins. In milk, 54% of samples (n = 38) had detectable levels of mycotoxin, while 43% (n = 30) contained two or more types of mycotoxins. DON, FB, and ZEN metabolites (alpha-zearalenol and beta-zearalenol) were the most frequent mycotoxins detected in the milk samples analyzed, at mean concentrations of 0.562 +/- 0.112, 2.135 +/- 0.296 mu g/kg, 2.472 +/- 0.436 mu g/kg, and 0.343 +/- 0.062 mu g/kg, respectively. However, none of the analyzed milk samples had levels higher than the maximum permitted limit for AFM1 in Brazil (0.5 mu g/L). The results of this trial highlight the concern about the co-occurrence of multiple mycotoxins in TMR and in milk, due to the possible additive or synergistic effects of these compounds. The presence of co-occurring mycotoxins in milk underscores the need for stringent preventive practices to avoid mycotoxin contamination in the diet of dairy cows in Brazil. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 22/07439-7 - Assessment of multi-mycotoxins in milk and in the diet of dairy cows in Southeastern Brazil
• Grantee: Carlos Humberto Corassin
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants