Research Article
Evaluation of the Role of Mycotoxin Binders in Reducing Aflatoxicosis in Ducks: An Experimental Study Using Contaminated Feed
Ahmed Mdeeh Khalil, Hayder Abd AL-Emier Almremdhy
Middle East Research Journal of Agriculture and Food Science; 17-25.
https://doi.org/10.36348/merjafs.2026.v06i02.002
Aflatoxins are among the most hazardous mycotoxins affecting poultry production, causing severe economic losses and adverse health effects, particularly in highly susceptible species such as ducks. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective efficacy of dietary mycotoxin binders against aflatoxicosis induced by aflatoxin B1-contaminated feed in Pekin ducks. A total of 250 one-day-old Pekin ducklings were randomly allocated into five equal experimental groups (50 birds/group). Group 1 served as the negative control and received a basal uncontaminated diet, while Group 2 received feed contaminated with aflatoxin B1 at a concentration of 75 ppb without binder supplementation. Groups 3, 4, and 5 received feed contaminated with aflatoxin B1 at a concentration of 75 ppb and supplemented with mycotoxin binder at doses of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 kg/ton feed, respectively. The experiment lasted for 45 days under controlled management conditions. Growth performance parameters, including live body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR), were evaluated weekly. Hematological indices, including red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell count (WBC), lymphocyte percentage, and heterophil percentage, were assessed on days 15 and 25. Serum biochemical analyses included alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and C-reactive protein (CRP). The results demonstrated that aflatoxin exposure significantly reduced live body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, RBC count, Hb concentration, and PCV%, while significantly increasing FCR, WBC count, heterophil percentage, liver enzymes, renal function markers, and CRP levels compared with the negative control group (P≤0.05). Dietary supplementation with mycotoxin binders significantly ameliorated these adverse effects in a dose-dependent manner. The highest binder dose (1.5 kg/ton) showed the greatest protective efficacy, restoring most productive, hematological, and biochemical parameters near normal values. Correlation analysis revealed strong negative relationships between aflatoxin toxicity markers and productive performance, while positive correlations were observed between hematological recovery and growth indices. In conclusion, the use of mycotoxin binders can be considered an effective nutritional strategy for minimizing aflatoxin-related losses in duck production systems.
Research Article
Pre-Extension Demonstration of Improved Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Varieties in verti soil of Silte Zone, Central Ethiopia Regional State, Ethiopia
Getachw Dessalegn Shiferaw , Abayneh kebede Hele
Middle East Research Journal of Agriculture and Food Science; 26-32.
https://doi.org/10.36348/merjafs.2026.v06i02.003
A pre-extension demonstration of improved tef varieties was conducted at Dalocha and wulbareg districts were selected in Silte Zone. From each district, two representative Kebeles and two farmer training centers were selected purposefully based on their accessibility and potentiality. After farmers had been selected, informative training was given in all kebeles. Tef sowing was done in collaboration with respective researchers and stakeholders based on recommended agronomic practices. In the Dalocha district, the average grain yield of Areka-1 and Standard Check varieties across the two locations was 2006.75 kg ha and 1447.67 kg ha, respectively. In the Wulbareg district, the average grain yield of Cross-37 and local check varieties across locations was 1969. Kg ha- and 1514.3 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. In the Dalocha district, the improved Areka-1 variety was selected, and in the Wulbareg district, the improved Cross-37 variety was selected by all its attributes, including yield, followed by the standard check variety. In terms of profitability, using Cross-37 and Areka-1 varieties can make it more profitable than standard varieties of both districts. Based on these facts, the Areka-1 tef variety is recommended for further large-scale demonstration in the Dalocha district, and cross-37 variety is recommended for further large-scale demonstration in the Wulbareg district and in their other similar agroecology.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons
Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
© Copyright Kuwait Scholars Publisher. All Rights Reserved.