Evaluation of two mycotoxin-detoxifying agents in broilers fed naturally contaminated corn with elevated mycotoxin levels

This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of dietary mycotoxins and two commercial mycotoxin-detoxifying agents (MDA) on growth performance and serum biomarkers in broilers. A total of 200 male broiler chicks were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments (5 replicates; 10 birds each): a diet with non-contaminated corn (NC), a diet with naturally mycotoxin-contaminated corn (PC), and the contaminated diet supplemented with either a bio transforming, biological components-based detoxifier (PC+MDA1) or a yeast-based functional carbohydrates detoxifier (PC+MDA2). Six mycotoxins (AF, T-2, ZEA, OTA, DON, FB) were quantified in ingredients and complete feeds using LC-MS/MS and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays ELISA. Performance variables (BWG, FI, FCR, mortality, EPEF) and serum enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP, UA, creatinine, GGT) were analyzed by ANOVA with Tukey’s HSD (P < 0.05). Greater cumulative intake of all mycotoxins in the PC diet resulted in reduced BWG (-5.2%; P=0.028), poorer FCR (+4.6%; P=0.008), and lower EPEF (-14.8%; P=0.031) compared with NC. Broilers receiving PC + MDA1 and PC + MDA2 showed BWG valued intermediate between NC and PC, while PC + MDA2 significantly improved FCR relative to PC. Increases in ALT, AST, ALP (P<0.01), and UA (P=0.042) indicated hepatic and renal stress in birds fed with PC diets, and these responses were partially attenuated by both detoxifiers. In conclusion, even low dietary levels of multiple mycotoxins may impair broiler performance and health, and the inclusion of functional detoxifiers can reduce these effects under field-relevant conditions.