Mycotoxin Adsorbents or Biological Additives: Which to Choose for Production Control?

Choose where to start:

1. The Urgency of Mycotoxin Control
2. What Are Adsorbents and Their Role?
3. Biological Additives: An Effective Alternative?
4. Practical Comparison Criteria
5. Common Mistakes When Implementing Adsorbents or Biological Additives
6. FAQs 
7. Build a Stronger Mycotoxin Strategy

The Urgency of Mycotoxin Control

Mycotoxin contamination in raw materials and feed is a constant threat to animal health, productivity, and regulatory compliance. In Latin America, high prevalence of mycotoxins (Fumonisin B1, Zearalenone, Aflatoxin, DON) has been reported, with concentrations compromising food safety ¹. Choosing between adsorbents or biological additives is key to protecting your production chain and reinforcing control strategies.

What Are Adsorbents and Their Role?

Adsorbents – such as bentonites, zeolites, or yeast cell walls – bind mycotoxins through physical or chemical mechanisms, reducing their bioavailability ². They are widely used due to efficiency and low cost but may also bind essential nutrients.

Biological Additives: An Effective Alternative?

These include microorganisms or enzymes that transform mycotoxins into less toxic compounds. Their advantage is targeted mitigation, although validation by raw material type and metabolite monitoring is required.

Practical Comparison Criteria

Common Mistakes When Implementing Adsorbents or Biological Additives

Selecting the right strategy for mycotoxin control requires careful analysis. The most frequent mistakes include:

1. Using adsorbents without efficacy validation
   Not all adsorbents work equally for different mycotoxins. Applying a product without testing may provide false security.
2. Ignoring raw material type
   Effectiveness varies by grain or seed type (corn, wheat, soybean, sorghum). Adjusting dose and selecting the correct product is crucial for effective mitigation. 
3. Overlooking co-contamination
   Up to 47 % of samples in LATAM contain multiple mycotoxins simultaneously¹. Some adsorbents lose efficacy against combinations, while certain biological additives can degrade multiple toxins but require specific validation.

FAQs 

1. What are mycotoxin adsorbents?

   Indigestible substances, often referred to as binders or sequestering agents, that bind to mycotoxins in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing their absorption by the body.

2. How do biological additives work?

   They use enzymes or microorganisms to transform mycotoxins into less harmful compounds, offering targeted mitigation.

3. Which is more effective: adsorbents or biologicals?

   Effectiveness depends on the mycotoxin type and feed matrix. Biologicals offer specificity, while adsorbents are broader but may bind nutrients. 

4. Are biological additives safe?

   Yes, but they require validation to ensure no harmful metabolites remain. Safety depends on formulation and application. 

5. Is it possible to use both strategies (adsorbents and biological additives) at the same time?

   Yes. Combining adsorbents and biological additives can enhance control, especially in cases of co-contamination. 

From Risk to Resilience: Build a Stronger Mycotoxin Strategy

Making the right decisions around mycotoxins isn’t always straightforward. With so many variables—raw materials, toxin combinations, mitigation strategies—it’s easy to feel uncertain. That’s why we’ve developed practical tools and actionable insights to help you design a prevention plan that works in real conditions. And because every effective strategy starts with accurate information, our detection solutions like Reveal® Q+ MAX and ELISA Veratox® provide rapid, reliable results before risks turn into losses.

Ready to strengthen your control? 

Explore our related resources and take the next step toward safer, more resilient production.