Abstract
Of the 200, 000 known species of molds, only 50 or 60 are known to be harmful to humans or livestock. Certain fungi that grow on grains and grasses can produce chemical substances called mycotoxins that adversely affect performance in poultry. There are several methods of preserving feed ingredients. The list includes: drying, antioxidants, mold inhibitors, organic acids, phosphates, cooking or toasting, fat extraction, blending and fermenting. Mold inhibitors are manufactured to inhibit mold growth and prevent the production of toxic substances. They are fungistats and not fungicides, that is, they only stop the growth of molds. Practical and cost-effective methods to detoxify mycotoxin containing feedstuffs are in great demand. 0.5% hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate added to the diet protected chicks from the deleterious effects of aflatoxin-contaminated feed. The dietary addition of antioxidants and methionine also significantly diminished the negative effects on body weight in chicks toxicated with 3.0 ppm aflatoxin B1.