Efficacy of hydrate sodium calcium aluminosilicate and yeast cell wall to ameliorate the toxic effects of aflatoxin in ducks

The aim of the present experiment was to evaluate the efficacy of a hydrate sodium calcium aluminosilicate and yeast cell wall (Fixar® Viva Dry) to prevent aflatoxin toxicity in meat-type ducks. In total, 336 1-day-old Cherry Valley ducks were randomly assigned to seven dietary groups, including of three diets without adsorbent. These included <30 (control), 60 and 120 μg/kg of aflatoxin in the diet and 60 or 120 μg/kg of aflatoxin supplemented with Fixar® Viva Dry at either 0.05% or 0.10% in the diet. Each treatment group was duplicated, with 24 birds per pen (replicate) throughout the 28-day trial period. The results showed that, bodyweight gain was reduced by 11% and mortality was increased by 10% in ducks fed diet containing aflatoxin at 120 μg/kg, compared with the control diet. However, dietary Fixar® Viva Dry supplementation effectively alleviated the overall toxicity induced by aflatoxin. Significant negative treatment-related changes were observed in feather growth, eye necrosis, web-toe haemorrhage, leg deformity, tibia bone porosity, liver paleness and fat content, organ weight and serum biochemical characteristics, as well as decreased leaked enzymes in blood serum, compared with the control. Addition of Fixar® Viva Dry in the diet significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the adverse effects of aflatoxin on all parameters measured, near to those in the control group. This finding indicated that Fixar® Viva Dry, when added at the level of 0.05% in 60 μg/kg or of 0.10% in 120 μg/kg aflatoxin diets, could modulate the toxicity of aflatoxin. In conclusion, these results showed that Fixar® Viva Dry 0.05% was effective in preventing the toxic effects of aflatoxin that may be present in poultry diets.