Biotransformation of trichothecenes alleviates the negative effects of T-2 toxin in pigs

Between 49 and 70 days of age, three groups of growing pigs (n = 10 each) were fed diets containing 0, 0.3 and 0.5 mg/kg T-2 toxin, respectively, for 21 days. The feed of another two groups of pigs (n = 10 each) contained 0.3 or 0.5 mg/kg T-2 toxin, respectively, plus a feed additive developed for splitting up the molecular structure of Fusarium toxins, in particular trichothecenes, by deepoxidation of the molecule, at 2 kg/tonne concentration. One group (n = 10) served as positive control; their feed was free from T-2 toxin but contained the feed additive at the above concentration. Toxin concentrations at these low dietary levels impaired the feed intake and growth rate of pigs. The feed additive alleviated the negative effects and justified its potential for prevention. Data of the present study indicated a 0.2 mg/kg feed no observed effect level (NOEL) of T-2 toxin in growing pig feeds.