Aflatoxicosis in Turkey Poults is Prevented by Treatment of Naturally Contaminated Corn with Ozone Generated by Electrolysis

K.S. MCKENZIE, L. F. KUBENA, A. J. DENVIR, T. D. ROGERS, G. D. HITCHENS, R. H. BAILEY, R. B. HARVEY, S. A. BUCKLEY, and T. D. PHILLIPS

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have demonstrated that a novel source of ozone gas (O₃) may be used to chemically degrade numerous mycotoxins, including aflatoxin (AF) B₁. Subsequent in vitro analyses demonstrated detoxification of AFB₁, suggesting a potential method to remediate AF-contaminated grain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the capability of electrochemically produced ozone to degrade AFB₁ in naturally contaminated whole kernel corn and confirm detoxification in turkey poults. Corn was procured from the southern coastal area of Texas and HPLC revealed 1,220 +/- 73.3 ppb AFB₁, Control and contaminated corn were treated for 92 h with 03 at 200 mg/min in 30 kg batches; greater than 95% reduction of AFB₁ in contaminated corn was achieved. One-day-old female turkey poults were fed 1) control corn, 2) control corn + 0₃, 3) AFB₁ corn, or 4) AFB₁ corn + O₃ mixed in rations (46% by wt.) and consumed ad libitum for 3 wk. When compared with controls, turkeys fed AFB₁ corn had reduced body weight gain and relative liver weight, whereas turkeys fed control corn + O₃ or AFB₁ corn + 0₃ did not differ from controls. Furthermore, alterations in the majority of relative organ weights, liver discoloration, serum enzyme activity, hematological parameters, and blood chemistry caused by AFB₁ were eliminated (no difference from controls) by treatment with 0₃. These data demonstrate that treatment of contaminated corn with electrochemically produced 0₃ provided protection against AFB₁ in young turkey poults. It is important to note that treatment of control corn with 0₃ did not alter the performance of the turkey poults.

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