Mycotoxins in Grass Silage

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites synthesised by certain filamentous fungi species that typically grow during pre-harvest, post-harvest, or at both times under suitable environmental conditions. Various factors such as climate, storage conditions, and agricultural practice are known to influence the incidence of mycotoxins and they may occur in a wide range of animal feeds, including concentrates, forage grass, and silage. Some toxins, such as aflatoxins (AFB1), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), and T-2 toxin, are the main undesirable compounds found in silages. Besides, they are considered a serious problem associated with food and farming systems worldwide. Due to these compounds are highly toxic and can cause carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic effects in both animals and humans.