Sustainable control of aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, and fumonisin B1 in poultry feed using plant extracts and clay

Mycotoxin contamination in poultry feed continues to pose significant challenges for animal health, food safety, and overall public health. In this study, we investigated the antifungal and antitoxigenic activities of hydro-alcoholic extracts and crude essential oils from Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), Cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum verum), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Neem (Azadirachta indica), and Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). These plant-derived substances were evaluated both with and without the addition of kaolin clay, targeting major mycotoxins such as Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), Ochratoxin A (OTA), and Fumonisin B1 (FB1) levels (Table 3). Our antifungal assays focused on Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, and Fusarium proliferatum. Among the tested agents, clove and cinnamon oils demonstrated the strongest antifungal properties, with clove oil providing consistent inhibition across all fungal species. Neem extracts exhibited moderate efficacy, particularly in lowering AFB1 concentrations. Notably, the incorporation of kaolin clay (1 mg/g feed) enhanced FB1 detoxification, especially when combined with ginger or clove oils. In contrast, fenugreek-derived products showed minimal antifungal or antitoxigenic effectiveness. These findings highlight the potential of certain plant-based products-namely clove, cinnamon, and neem-used in conjunction with kaolin clay as sustainable alternatives to synthetic chemicals for controlling mycotoxin contamination in poultry feed. Further research is recommended to optimize dosage and application strategies to maximize their efficacy.