Efficacy of two different types of montmorillonite to reduce the toxicity of aflatoxin in pigs

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to compare the efficacy of montmorillonite (M) and montmorillonite nanocomposite (MN) to reduce the toxicity of aflatoxin (AF) in growing/finishing pigs. A total of 144 weaned pigs were assigned to six dietary treatment groups (0 g of adsorbents and 0 mg of AF/kg feed; 3 g of M/kg feed; 3 g of MN/kg feed; 0.11 mg of AF/kg feed; 0.11 mg of AF plus 3 g of M/kg feed; and 0.11 mg of AF plus 3 g of MN/kg feed). Compared to the control, AF alone decreased average daily gam (ADG) by 12.9% (P < 0.05), and increased feed/gain ratio by 7.54% (P < 0.05). Improvements in average daily gain and feed/gain ratio by 13.0 and 4.80% (P < 0.05) by the addition of MN to the AF diet demonstrated the ability of MN to reduce the toxic effects of AF. However, the addition of M did not diminish the growth inhibitory effects of AF (P > 0.05). AF intake increased relative weights of liver, kidney, spleen and pancreas by 8.24, 27.3, 41.2 and 42.9% (P < 0.05), and resulted in significant alterations of serum biochemical values and enzymatic activities (P < 0.05). Pigs fed the MN with AF diet had appreciable improvements in AF-induced organ lesions and aberrations in serum profiles (P < 0.05), whereas pigs fed the M with AF diet had relative organ weights and serum profiles similar to those of pigs fed AF alone (P > 0.05), which indicated beneficial effects of MN and non-protective effects of M. These findings suggested that feeding MN can effectively prevent the negative effects associated with aflatoxicosis in pigs. © 2007 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.