A Three-Year Study on the Nutritional Composition and Occurrence of Mycotoxins of Corn Varieties with Different Transgenic Events Focusing on Poultry Nutrition.

Corn is one of the most produced cereals in the world and plays a major role in poultry nutrition. As there is limited scientific information regarding the impact of transgenic technology on the quality and nutrient composition of the grains, this study investigated the effect of three major transgenic corn varieties-VT PRO3®, PowerCore® ULTRA, and Agrisure® Viptera 3-on the field traits, nutrient composition, and mycotoxin contamination of corn grains cultivated in southern Brazil during three consecutive harvests. VT PRO3®, while demonstrating superior crop yield, showed susceptibility to mycotoxins, particularly fumonisins. In contrast, PowerCore® ULTRA, with the lowest yield, consistently exhibited lower levels of fumonisins. VT PRO3® had higher AMEn than the other varieties, while PowerCore® ULTRA had the highest total and digestible amino acid contents over the three years. The study's comprehensive analysis reveals the distinct impact of transgenic corn technologies on both productivity and nutritional levels. Balancing the crops yield, mycotoxin resistance, and nutritional content of corn is crucial to meet the demands of the poultry feed industry. Such insights are essential for decision-making, ensuring sustainability and efficiency in agricultural production as well as meeting the demands of the poultry industry.

Prediction of fumonisins B1 and B2 in corn distiller's dried grains with solubles through near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy.

BACKGROUND: Distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are coproducts of the biofuel industries that use corn as raw material. This cereal is commonly contaminated by mycotoxins, including fumonisins (FBs), which can pose a serious health threat to humans and animals. Corn DDGS are typically used as a protein-rich animal feed. As mycotoxins from the original cereal grains become concentrated in DDGS, mycotoxicological monitoring is highly required before their use as ingredient in the industry. RESULTS: This work aimed to develop a methodology for predicting fumonisins B1 (FB1 ) and B2 (FB2 ) in corn DDGS using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) technology associated with chemometric methods. One hundred and ninety corn DDGS samples originating from Brazilian ethanol plants and feed mills were included in this assessment. Two datasets were created: one for calibration (132 samples) and another for external validation (58 samples). Partial least squares regression and a cross-validation approach were applied to build the models. Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry was used as the reference methodology. Calibration results of correlation coefficient and residual prediction deviation for FB1 and FB2 were, respectively, 0.90 and 0.88; and 2.16 and 2.06. CONCLUSION: Values of the external validation dataset were compared and no statistical difference was found between groups, indicating a satisfactory predictive ability and confirming the potential of NIRS to predict fumonisins in corn DDGS. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Near-infrared spectroscopy as a tool for rapid screening of deoxynivalenol in wheat flour and its applicability in the industry.

This study aimed to evaluate the applicability and efficiency of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) by using dispersive NIR and Fourier Transform NIR to analyse 267 samples of Brazilian wheat flour contaminated with deoxynivalenol (DON). For this, Partial Least-squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) and Principal Component Analysis-Linear Discriminant Analysis (PC-LDA) were used as discriminatory methods. Next, the samples were classified according to the maximum tolerated limits (MTL) for DON in Brazil, 750 µg kg-1, and two groups were established for the calibration set: category A (≤450 µg kg-1), non-contaminated or below the MTL; and category B (>450 µg kg-1), contaminated or above the MTL. Validation samples through PLS-DA showed correct classification rates in the range of 85-87.5% and presented a 10-15% error; for PC-LDA, the hit rate was over 85% with an error of 10-15%. The present findings demonstrate that NIR is an excellent alternative method to classify wheat flour samples according to DON content.

Multivariate method for prediction of fumonisins B1 and B2 and zearalenone in Brazilian maize using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR).

Fumonisins (FBs) and zearalenone (ZEN) are mycotoxins which occur naturally in grains and cereals, especially maize, causing negative effects on animals and humans. Along with the need for constant monitoring, there is a growing demand for rapid, non-destructive methods. Among these, Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) has made great headway for being an easy-to-use technology. NIR was applied in the present research to quantify the contamination level of total FBs, i.e., fumonisin B1+fumonisin B2 (FB1+FB2), and ZEN in Brazilian maize. From a total of six hundred and seventy-six samples, 236 were analyzed for FBs and 440 for ZEN. Three regression models were defined: one with 18 principal components (PCs) for FB1, one with 10 PCs for FB2, and one with 7 PCs for ZEN. Partial least square regression algorithm with full cross-validation was applied as internal validation. External validation was performed with 200 unknown samples (100 for FBs and 100 for ZEN). Correlation coefficient (R), determination coefficient (R2), root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP), standard error of prediction (SEP) and residual prediction deviation (RPD) for FBs and ZEN were, respectively: 0.809 and 0.991; 0.899 and 0.984; 659 and 69.4; 682 and 69.8; and 3.33 and 2.71. No significant difference was observed between predicted values using NIR and reference values obtained by Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), thus indicating the suitability of NIR to rapidly analyze a large numbers of maize samples for FBs and ZEN contamination. The external validation confirmed a fair potential of the model in predicting FB1+FB2 and ZEN concentration. This is the first study providing scientific knowledge on the determination of FBs and ZEN in Brazilian maize samples using NIR, which is confirmed as a reliable alternative methodology for the analysis of such toxins.

Mycotoxicological monitoring of breakfast and infant cereals marketed in Brazil.

A mycotoxicological survey was conducted in breakfast (n = 172) and infant (n = 43) cereals commercialized in Brazil. Samples were collected in 2018 for analyses of: aflatoxins (AFs) B1 (AFB1), B2, G1 and G2; fumonisins (FBs) B1 (FB1) and B2; zearalenone (ZEN); the trichothecenes (TRCs) deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, nivalenol, fusarenon X, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol, 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol and diacetoxyscirpenol; and ochratoxin A. FB1 was the most prevalent metabolite in breakfast cereals, being detected in 26.7% of the samples (mean 105 µg/kg); ZEN had the second highest positivity, 14.8% (mean 17 µg/kg), followed by DON with 10% (mean 44 µg/kg). In infant cereals, FB1 also had the highest incidence, 27.8% (mean 55 µg/kg), followed by DON with 10.3% (mean 36 µg/kg) and ZEN with 6.9% (mean 3 µg/kg). Mycotoxins contamination was found in 31.4% (n = 54) of the breakfast cereals and in 18.6% (n = 8) of the infant cereals. In these positive samples, co-occurrence of two or three mycotoxins was detected in 31.5% (n = 17) of the breakfast cereals and in 25% (n = 2) of the infant cereals. The mycotoxins found co-contaminating the breakfast cereals belong to the genera Aspergillus and Fusarium; ZEN, followed by AFB1, were the most prevalent ones. As for the infant cereals, the associated fungal metabolites are produced by the genus Fusarium; the highest incidence was seen for ZEN. Low contamination and positivity of mycotoxins were found herein; nonetheless, in some samples these substances were present at levels which transgress those preconized in the Brazilian legislation. Therefore, mycotoxicological monitoring of this type of product throughout the nation is crucial in order to identify the potential risk to which the Brazilian population is exposed, particularly the children.

Concentrados proteicos vegetais na alimentação de Jundiás (Rhamdia quelen) / Vegetable Protein concentrates in the diet of South American catfish Rhamdia quelen

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar fontes de concentrados proteicos vegetais alternativos em substituição ao farelo de soja sobre o desempenho e composição centesimal de jundiás (Rhamdia quelen) e coloração dos filés. Foram utilizadas 20 unidades experimentais, com capacidade de 90L cada uma, onde 400 peixes permaneceram alojados durante 45 dias. Os juvenis de jundiá possuíam 11,5±5,0cm e peso inicial de 10,4±5,5g. Foram avaliadas quatro fontes de concentrados proteicos, sendo eles: dieta controle, tendo o farelo de soja com base proteica; CL: dieta contendo concentrado proteico de crambe + concentrado proteico de linhaça; CLGM: composta por concentrado proteico de crambe + concentrado proteico de linhaça + concentrado proteico de folha de mandioca + concentrado proteico de farelo de girassol e GM: constituída por concentrado proteico de farelo de girassol + concentrado proteico de folha de mandioca. Aos 30 e 45 dias, foram avaliados os parâmetros de crescimento (peso, fator de condição, taxa de crescimento específico, ganho em peso diário e relativo, taxa de eficiência proteica e conversão alimentar aparente) e avaliação centesimal do peixe inteiro e filé (umidade, proteína bruta, gordura e cinzas). Além disso, aos 45 dias, foi realizada a avaliação instrumental da cor nos filés. Ao final do período experimental, foram observadas diferenças significativas para os parâmetros de crescimento e avaliação centesimal, sendo que os animais alimentados com as dietas CL apresentaram maior crescimento (13,8cm), taxa de crescimento específico (2,43% dia-1), ganho em peso diário (0,41g dia-1), ganho em peso relativo (108,3%) e menor conversão alimentar (1,21), comparado às dietas contendo concentrado proteico de girassol e concentrado proteico de folhas de mandioca. Observou-se também que os animais alimentados com as dietas GM e CLGM apresentaram uma pigmentação amarelada nos filés. Conclui-se que os animais alimentados com a dieta CL obtiveram os maiores índices de desempenhos, podendo ser utilizada como alimento na formulação de dietas para esta espécie. As demais combinações não redundaram em resultados melhores que a dieta controle e CL.

The aim of this study was to evaluate vegetable protein concentrates to replace soybean meal (traditional protein) on performance and chemical composition of catfish (Rhamdia quelen) and its influence on the coloration of the fillets. We used 20 experimental units (EU), with a capacity of 90L each, where 400 fish were rearing for 45 days. Juvenile catfish had 11.5±5.0cm and an initial weight of 10.4±5.5g. We evaluated four diets with different sources of protein concentrates, which are: Control, conventional diet using soybean meal as source of protein; CL: diet containing protein concentrate crambe meal protein concentrate; CLGM: protein concentrate consisting of crambe meal protein concentrate protein concentrate cassava leaf protein concentrate and GM sunflower meal: protein concentrate consisting of sunflower meal protein concentrate cassava leaf. At 30 and 45 days were evaluated growth parameters (weight, condition factor, specific growth rate, daily weight gain and relative protein efficiency ratio and feed conversion) and proximate evaluation of the whole fish and fillet (humidity, crude protein, fat and ash). In addition, the 45-day evaluation was made color instrumental in fillets. At the end of the experiment, significant differences were observed for growth parameters and proximate, and the animals fed the LC diets had higher growth (13,8cm), specific growth rate (2,43% day-1), daily weight gain (0,41g day-1), relative weight gain (108,3%) and lower feed conversion (1,21) compared to diets containing protein concentrate of sunflower and cassava leaves. We also observed that animals fed on GM diets and CLGM showed a yellowish pigment in the fillets. It is concluded that animals fed the CL diet had the highest levels of performance and can be used as food in the formulation of diets for this species. All others combinations do not showed no better results than the control diet and CL.

Produção de forragem em pastagem de bermuda sobre-semeada com aveia e azevém / Forage production on bermudagrass sod seeding with oat and ryegrass

O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar dois sistemas forrageiros manejados com vacas da raça Holandesa. Os sistemas foram constituídos por pastagem de bermuda (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers cv. "Coastcross") sobre-semeada com aveia preta (Avena strigosa Schreb. cv. "Comum") e azevém (Lolium multiflorum Lam. cv. "Comum") e aveia e azevém em cultivo estreme. Foram conduzidos oito pastejos (de 09/06/04 a 13/10/04 e de 02/08/05 a 29/10/05), sendo avaliada a massa de forragem pré e pós-pastejo, a taxa de acúmulo diário de matéria seca (MS), a produção total de forragem, a oferta de forragem, a composição botânica, a biomassa total de lâminas foliares e carga animal. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas (P>0,05) para os referidos parâmetros. A produção total de MS, a taxa de acúmulo diário de MS e a carga animal foram de 8467,9; 7105,7kg de MS ha-1; 54,1 e 69,2kg de MS ha-1 dia-1; 1050,8 e 925,5kg de peso vivo ha-1, para a pastagem de bermuda sobre-semeada com aveia e azevém e para a pastagem anual, respectivamente. Houve maior participação de lâminas foliares de aveia na pastagem constituída por aveia e azevém (P<0,05). Verificou-se, no entanto, similaridade (P>0,05) entre os sistemas forrageiros quanto à produção total de biomassa de lâminas foliares. Estes resultados indicam que o sistema forrageiro constituído por bermuda sobre-semeada com aveia e azevém, utilizada no período hibernal, pode ser usada em condições climáticas similares às do presente estudo.

This study was aimed at comparing two pasture-based systems grazed by Holstein cows. The systems were sod seeding of black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb. cv. Common) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam. cv. Common) in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers cv. Coastcross) and oat and ryegrass mixture in extreme cultivation. From 06/09/04 to 10/13/04 and 08/02/05 to 10/29/05, in eight grazing periods, the pregraze and postgraze herbage mass, dry matter (DM) daily acumulation rate, total dry matter production, forage offer, botanical composition, leaves total biomass and stocking rate were evaluated. No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed between pasture systems for there parameters. The total DM production, DM daily acumulation rate and stocking rate were 8467.9; 7105.7kg of DM ha-1, 54.1; 69.2kg of DM ha-1 day-1, and 1050.8; 925.5kg of live whight ha-1 for the bermudagrass sod seeding and oat and ryegrass, respectively. Higher oat leaf lamina (P<0.05) was observed in the winter annual pasture, but the leaf lamina biomass was not different (P>0.05) between pasture-based systems. These results indicate that Bermudagrass sod seeding oat plus ryegrass pasture-based used in cool-seanson can be used in similar climatic conditions of present study.