Efficacy of different adsorbents in reducing the toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 in broiler diets

The ability of dietary hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS), diatomite and activated charcoal (AC) in reducing the detrimental effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in broiler diets was evaluated. Adsorbents were supplemented at 2.5 g/kg to the diets containing 0, 40 or 80 μg AFB1/kg feed. One hundred and eighty Ross 308, day-old male broilers were assigned to 12 treatments for 42 days. AFB1 at 80 μg/kg feed resulted in a significantly lower body weight gain and feed efficiency than the control group. Addition of HSCAS in the diets significantly diminished the deleterious effects of dietary AFB1. Aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT) activities and total protein concentration in the serum were altered significantly in the birds fed AFB1 80 μg/kg feed. However, there were no significant differences between treatments in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and uric acid and creatinine concentrations in the serum. Liver weights of birds fed diets containing 80 μg AFB1/kg feed were significantly higher than those of the control groups. Histological observations on livers from birds consuming AFB1 at 80 μg/kg feed showed a yellowish colour, portal leucocytic infiltration, congestion, multifocal fatty degeneration, and dysplasia of parenchymal cells with disorganization of the structure. The addition of HSCAS in the diets prevented an increase in the activity of AST and in the weight of livers and also prevented the histopathological changes induced by AFB1. However, the addition of diatomite or AC in the diets failed to prevent the harmful effects of AFB1. It was concluded that HSCAS is the most effective adsorbent to decrease the negative effects of AFB1 in broiler chickens. Keywords: Aflatoxin B1, hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS), diatomite, activated charcoal, broiler chickensSouth African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 36 (4) 2006: pp. 222-22