CLAY BASED TOXIN BINDERS

Binding, or adsorbing, specific mycotoxins to limit

their negative effects in livestock is a
well-established method for mycotoxin
deactivation. While a large number of binder
products containing clay minerals such as
bentonites are commercially available, there is a
certain amount of confusion in the market
regarding claims authorized by the European
Commission.
 What can be bound?

• This can be answered on 2 levels:

• Starting from the chemistry, mycotoxins such as aflatoxins

have a flat chemical structure and can be trapped between
the layers of bentonites, in the same way a slice of meat sits
between 2 slices of bread in a sandwich.
• Once the mycotoxin enters the binder layers, the electric
force generated by the atoms of both compounds tightens
the bond. The less flat chemical structure of other
mycotoxins like deoxynivalenol (DON) or zearalenone (ZEN)
results in less effective adsorption. Legally speaking, only
aflatoxin binding claims are authorised in the EU.
 What makes a good binder?

• 1. High adsorption capacity

• 2. Irreversibility
• 3. Specificity
• 4. Safety
• 5. In vivo biomarkers studies
 What makes a good binder?

• A multi-year research project between Biomin

and IFA Tulln, the world leader in research on
fungi and mycotoxins, tested more than 300
different materials e.g. organic binders,
cellular components, aluminosilicates,
activated carbon, etc. for their ability to bind
aflatoxins.
• 5 key characteristics defined a successful
material, namely:
 Intestinal barrier function

• After absorption or contact with epithelial cells, the gastrointestinal tract

is highly impacted by the induction of oxidative stress by mycotoxins.
Besides the negative effects on all cellular processes, oxidative stress has
an enormous impact on intestinal barrier function (Figure 1). The intestinal
barrier is mainly formed by a layer of epithelial cells covered with mucus.
Tight junction proteins form a physical barrier between two adjacent
epithelial cells preventing paracellular absorption of undesired substances
such as toxins or pathogens. Oxidative stress has a negative effect on this
intestinal barrier function due to the modification of certain cellular
proteins. This modification promotes production of pro-inflammatory
cytokines which in turn has a negative effect on the expression of
tight-junction proteins. In vitro and ex vivo studies measuring
trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) have shown that DON and
fumonisin B1 for example are able to increase the permeability of the
intestinal epithelial layer of pigs and poultry. As a result, the compromised
intestinal barrier function results in increased permeability for toxins,
pathogens and feed-associated antigens.
• This modification promotes production of
pro-inflammatory cytokines which in turn has a
negative effect on the expression of tight-junction
proteins. In vitro and ex vivo studies measuring
trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) have
shown that DON and fumonisin B1 for example
are able to increase the permeability of the
intestinal epithelial layer of pigs and poultry. As a
result, the compromised intestinal barrier
function results in increased permeability for
toxins, pathogens and feed-associated antigens.
 Nutritional strategy

• Most common feed additives against mycotoxins

consist of clay minerals. These layered structures
are perfect materials to adsorb mycotoxins. When
bound properly, absorption of mycotoxins in the
gastrointestinal is avoided as the mycotoxin-clay
complex is excreted in the faeces. Clay minerals
can bind mycotoxins with a rather flat structure
but are not suited to bind globular mycotoxins
such as DON. To counter DON, feed additives able
to change the chemical structure of DON into its
non-toxic form are advised.
• Although these strategies have been proven to
have a very effective direct effect against
mycotoxins, part of the mycotoxins can still
escape the action of these additives and cause
oxidative stress. For maximum protection, feed
additives protecting the animal’s body from
oxidative stress after mycotoxins have been
absorbed should be used. Plant extracts rich in
polyphenols offer a powerful nutritional strategy
to counter oxidative stress caused by mycotoxins.
• Plant extracts have a strong H-donating activity making them really
effective antioxidants. Combining polyphenolic antioxidants may even
increase effectiveness. It is generally accepted that no antioxidant alone
can lead to health benefits, but the combination as found for example in
fruits and vegetables, is the principle that leads to synergistic effects. Not
all plant components have the same biological antioxidant capacity. To
prove the efficacy of plant polyphenols research should not only look to
commonly used in vitro tests based on ORAC-values (Oxygen Radical
Absorbance Capacity) which is purely a chemical analysis. The antioxidant
capacity and the concomitant protection of the intestinal barrier function
should be validated by ex vivo tests and in vivo trials as well. This has led
to the inclusion of a synergistic blend of polyphenolic compounds in the
mycotoxin detoxifying product with a broad range activity. Tests showed
that this product gave a restoring of all performance and profitability
parameters to the original level of the negative contro