HAMECOTOX-DRY

Introduction:
The growth of moulds in raw materials and finished feeds for livestock is a universal problem. Mould spores, of the so called field fungi, can contaminate cereal grains in the standing crop and in severe conditions, these spores can germinate, especially under irrigation, to produce fungal toxins known as mycotoxins.

During storage a different range of moulds, the storage fungi, become more important. These moulds can grow at moisture contents above 11% and, like the field fungi can lead to a build up of mycotoxins.

The most important genus of toxin producing moulds is Aspergillus and the toxins produced by moulds of this genus are known as Aflatoxins.

Mycotoxins are extremely toxic by-products of fungal metabolism and range from large complex molecular structures to simple three carbon derivatives. Mycotoxins are toxic at levels below 20 ug/kg (parts per billion) and no level of mycotoxin in feed can be considered safe. Recent UK legislation has introduced a maximum of 10 ug/kg on produce imported for further processing with a maximum of 4 ug/kg for finished produce.

The effect of mycotoxin ingestion by an animal ranges from simple growth depression to fertility problems, immune disorders, liver damage and death.

The most damaging and the most commonly occurring mycotoxins are the Aflatoxins of which there are several major types Aflatoxin M1, B1, B2, D1, G1 and G2. The most important species is Aspergillus flavus.

Even in temperate climates products such as maize, copra, groundnuts, cottonseed, soya, millet, wheat, sorghum, rice and sunflower seeds are often found to contain Aflatoxins as a result of poor storage and transport conditions prior to arrival at the feedmill.

Product:
There is no cure for disorders caused by mycotoxin poisoning of animals. The use of a mould inhibitor may kill the mould but cannot eradicate the mycotoxin. The feed remains toxic to the livestock that eat the feed.

Most adsorbent products are capable of adsorbing Aflatoxin, these include charcoal, zeolites, cellulose fibres etc. Most of these materials can adsorb Aflatoxin in such a way as to prevent their detection during a chemical assay procedure however they can release these poisons during digestion.

HAMECOTOX is a complexed hydrated aluminium silicate that has been developed to bind chemically with the molecular structure of Aflatoxins in an irreversible manner.

HAMECOTOX traps Aflatoxins as a result of electrostatic attraction to aluminium ions and protects the animal by rendering the Aflatoxin inactive throughout the digestion process.

In trials HAMECOTOX has been found effective in trapping mycotoxins in animal feeds.

Availability:
HAMECOTOX is a dry, free-flowing product that is packed in 20 and 25 kg bags.

Usage:
HAMECOTOX is incorporated into animal feeds known to contain mycotoxins or that have been produced from raw materials either suspected, or known to contain mycotoxins.

The rate of inclusion varies with the severity of the mycotoxin level present but is normally in the range of 0.5 - 5 kg/Te.

Packing:
25 kg bags