Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine and quantify the occurrence of six mycotoxins in three different types of forage distributed in the state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
Methods: The analyses were carried out in 120 samples of alfalfa, sorghum and grass used for animal consumption from farms and commercial locations in the state of Nuevo León Mexico during the 2013-2014 period. The presence of total aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, ochratoxin, T-2 toxin and zearalenone was determined in all the samples by (ELISA) using Neogen Veratox mycotoxin test kits.
Results: All forages types exhibited mycotoxin content although significant differences (P > 0.05) were found between these. Alfalfa forages exhibited higher content of aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, ochratoxin, T-2 toxin and zearalenone (average of 1.45, 0.38, 0.17, 76.68, 9.89 and 214.54 ppm, respectively) compared to the other forages. Levels of mycotoxins in alfalfa forages were higher (average of 75 and 84% of aflatoxins, 90 and 66% of deoxynivalenol, 32% of fumonisin, 48 and 89 % of ochratoxin, 58 and 76 % of T-2 toxin and 19 and 69% of zearalenone), compared to the levels found in sorghum and grass, respectively.
Significance: This study generated data about the status of mycotoxin contamination of these feeds in this region, and provide information to establish appropriate control measures to reduce the risk of contamination of feeds, particularly when used in mixtures with other type of forage susceptible to fungal contamination.