Biotoxin risk management in animals

Reduce biotoxin risk to ensure biosecurity, secure animal production and preserve farm profitability

For stakeholders in the animal nutrition sector, managing the risks associated with biotoxins (mycotoxins and bacterial toxins) has become a strategic challenge from both health and economic perspective.

Raw materials and feed are exposed to increasingly complex contaminations with mycotoxins, which are produced by fungi such as Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium. Those mycotoxins contaminate up to 80% of global crops.

Often present as co-contaminants, they act in synergy, amplifying their effects even at low doses. Bacterial toxins, such as endotoxins and exotoxins, exacerbate these imbalances.

Impact of biotoxins on animal health and zootechnical performance

Biotoxins affect animal health, well-being and performance, causing digestive, immunity and reproductive issues, decreased productivity and increased mortality.

Pigs
In pigs, biotoxins cause liver damage, severe digestive disorders, immunosuppression, and reproductive problems, affecting piglets and sows stock in particular.

Poultry
In poultry, they disrupt liver function, metabolism, digestion, and reproduction, with significant effects from early age, having a direct impact on production performance.

Ruminants
In ruminants, although the rumen provides a partial barrier, some toxins are converted into even more toxic metabolites, causing digestive, immune, neurological, and reproductive disorders, as well as a reduced in milk production. Aflatoxin B1, which is metabolized into aflatoxin M1 and transferred to milk, poses a major health risk due to its carcinogenic and hepatotoxic properties.

In front of these invisible yet omnipresent threats, an integrated and preventive approach is essential. Managing biotoxin risk is a crucial aspect to secure animal health, farm profitability, and environmental sustainability, and to guarantee consumers safe, high-quality animal products.

Limit the effects of biotoxins through a hollistic approach

Managing the biotoxin risk: the three cornerstones of Mixscience’s expertise

Thanks to their biotoxin risk management program, Mixscience support their customers through 3 key stages.

Assessing the risk associated with biotoxins

Biotoxin risk assessment is a key step allowing to identify potential sources of contamination in raw materials, feed, and the farming environment. It takes into account species, physiological stage raw material origin and sourcing practices, and storage conditions. Through data analysis, contamination histories, and feedback from the field, Mixscience support their customers in anticipating critical periods and prioritizing necessary actions. This step is essential in order to develop a tailored prevention plan, reduce uncertainties, and guide technical decisions toward targeted and effective solutions.

Measuring the risk associated with biotoxins

Risk measurement relies on analytical tools designed to detect and quantify biotoxins in feed. It draws on a variety of methods, ranging from rapid tests (test strips, ELISA) to laboratory analyses (HPLC, LC-MS/MS), as well as diagnostic tools developed by Mixscience, such as Mycoscope and Mycodetect.

These tools make it possible to map contamination, tracking its progression, and assessing its impact on animals. Risk measurement is essential to validate hypotheses, adjust formulations, implement control plans, and ensure regulatory compliance. Using fast and reliable tools that Mixscience specialists can help interpret, data gets converted into effective levers for action

Managing the risk associated with biotoxins

At Mixscience, biotoxin risk management is based on a comprehensive approach that combines nutrition, formulation, technical expertise, and targeted solutions such as Multiprotect Y and Multiprotect Up (outside the EU). These products limit toxin absorption, boost the detoxification functions of key organs (liver, intestine), and strengthen natural defenses. Tailored to reflect the needs of specific species and farming contexts, these solutions are integrated into secured formulation plans (raw material safety, inventory management, animal performance monitoring) that can be adjusted in real time. Through a comprehensive program combining R&D expertise, state-of-the-art diagnostic tools (ELISA, test strips, HPLC), nutritional solutions, field trials, and on-site support, Mixscience implements customized solutions for animal health, technical and economic performance, and product safety to fulfill sanitary and economic requirements of the market.