Mycotoxins and Animal Foods

The ingestion of feed containing mycotoxins has serious adverse effects on the health of farm animals, contributing to reduced weight gain, lower reproductivity, damage to the immune system, severe illnesses, and even death. Mycotoxins formed in animal feedstuffs depend on the presence of specific strains of filamentous fungi or molds and are strongly influenced by environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. This book considers the biological nature of mycotoxin formation, the chemical and biological methods of analysis, as well as the extensive range of substrates capable of supporting the growth of toxigenic fungi. The book also provides extensive coverage of the mycotoxicoses of farmed animals and the current state of research into the control and detoxification of mycotoxins. All researchers interested in mycotoxins and their effects on animals will find important information in this book.