Scientific field evaluation report

Introduction

Mycotoxin contamination remains an important challenge in poultry production because multiple toxins may occur simultaneously and negatively influence liver function, kidney function, intestinal integrity, immunity, feed efficiency, and reproduction and production performance. A toxin binder is intended primarily to interact with susceptible mycotoxins within the gastrointestinal tract, thereby reducing their bioavailability and subsequent systemic exposure. An appropriate field evaluation should not rely solely on the concentration of toxin present in feed. Ideally, an assessment combines feed mycotoxin concentration, validated biomarkers of systemic exposure, serum biochemical indicators of organ response, pathological or histopathological findings where available, and productive performance.

Objective

The objective of this field investigation was to assess whether observations obtained from feed and blood analysis were consistent with a protective effect during the use of B.I.O.Tox® under naturally contaminated commercial poultry conditions. A secondary objective was to determine whether serum biochemical indicators suggested residual hepatic or renal/metabolic stress despite the absence of detectable circulating toxin in the submitted blood samples. This distinction matters: the feed challenge in this field case was driven predominantly by T-2 toxin, which substantially exceeded EU guidance, while fumonisin though present remained within the guidance range. The exposure is best characterised as a T-2-dominant, multi-mycotoxin challenge rather than a case of severe combined overload on both toxins.

Analytical Results

Parameter

Interpretation of Feed Mycotoxin Challenge T-2 Toxin

The two feed samples contained 601 µg/kg and 620 µg/kg T-2 toxin, roughly 2.4-2.5 times the EU guidance level of 250 µg/kg for poultry complete feed. These concentrations demonstrate a substantial dietary T-2 challenge in the sampled feeds. T-2 toxin is a type-A trichothecene associated with oxidative stress, gastrointestinal epithelial injury, impaired protein synthesis, immunological effects and reduced productive performance.

Fumonisins

Fumonisin concentrations were 7.65 mg/kg and 4.94 mg/kg below the EU guidance level of 20 mg/kg for poultry, meaning fumonisin exposure alone would not typically be flagged as a primary concern under current guidance. The first sample nonetheless represented a higher fumonisin exposure than the second, and its co-occurrence with high T-2 toxin indicates the birds were exposed to a multi-mycotoxin challenge rather than an isolated single-toxin challenge. Combined low-level fumonisin exposure alongside a dominant T-2 challenge can still contribute to cumulative gastrointestinal and hepatic stress even when each toxin is considered individually within guidance.

Blood Mycotoxin Findings

An important observation was that T-2 toxin and fumonisin were reported as not detected in blood samples from both the 34-week and 56-week breeder groups, despite their presence in feed. This feed-to-blood contrast is biologically relevant and is consistent with reduced systemic bioavailability during toxin-binder supplementation. Scientifically, however, 'not detected' means the analyte concentration was below the analytical method's detection capability in that particular sample it should not automatically be interpreted as complete absence of systemic exposure.For stronger confirmation in future work, the analytical method, Limit of Detection (LOD), Limit of Quantification (LOQ), sample timing relative to feeding, and toxin-specific metabolites should be documented.

Serum Biochemistry: Evidence of Biological Response

While direct toxin measurement investigates systemic exposure, biochemical markers investigate the physiological consequences associated with exposure and recovery.

Direct Bilirubin

Direct bilirubin was 0.56 mg/dL at 34 weeks and 0.32 mg/dL at 56 weeks. Both were classified as high according to the reference range applied in the original diagnostic report. The elevated values are compatible with altered hepatobiliary handling and warrant interpretation together with other hepatic indicators; bilirubin alone is not specific for mycotoxicosis.

ALT / SGPT

ALT values were 37 IU/L at 34 weeks and 55 IU/L at 56 weeks, against a stated reference range of 5-35 IU/L in the original report. The greater elevation in the older flock suggests a greater degree of biochemical disturbance. In birds, ALT is best interpreted alongside additional hepatic markers and pathology rather than as a stand-alone quantitative marker of toxin-binder efficacy.

Renal / Metabolic Indicators

Creatinine increased from 0.16 mg/dL at 34 weeks to 0.37 mg/dL at 56 weeks more than double. BUN increased from 4.69 mg/dL to 13.24 mg/dL nearly a threefold rise. The original diagnostic assessment identified greater renal/metabolic stress in the older birds on this basis. In poultry, uric acid is generally a more physiologically relevant indicator of renal function and nitrogen metabolism than BUN or creatinine, both of which are more established in mammalian clinical pathology. Future studies should therefore preferably include uric acid, phosphorus, electrolytes and kidney gross pathology/histopathology alongside these markers. The findings provide supportive field evidence of a protective effect, but they should not be interpreted as proof of a specific percentage adsorption or protection. An efficacy statement such as "85-95% binding efficacy" cannot be calculated from the present dataset without an appropriately controlled trial.

Integrated Interpretation of B.I.O.Tox® Performance

Value of Serum Biochemistry in Toxin-Binder Evaluation

• Feed toxin analysis → establishes dietary challenge.

• Blood toxin/metabolite analysis → estimates systemic exposure.

• Serum biochemistry → assesses physiological response.

• Histopathology / organ scoring → confirms tissue-level injury.

• Performance parameters → measure commercial consequences.

Serum biochemistry should therefore be regarded as an important component of a multi-level toxin-binder efficacy assessment, rather than as a stand-alone measurement of adsorption percentage.

Recommended Biomarker Panel for Future B.I.O.Tox® Field Studies Mycotoxin Exposure

References

1. Poultry Feed & Blood Mycotoxin Diagnostic Analysis Report. 26 February 2026. User-provided primary field data.
2. European Commission. Commission Recommendation 2013/165/EU of 27 March 2013 on the presence of T-2 and HT-2 toxin in cereals and cereal products. OJ L. 2013 Apr 3;91:12.
3. European Commission. Commission Recommendation 2006/576/EC of 17 August 2006 on the presence of deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, ochratoxin A, T-2 and HT2 and fumonisins in products intended for animal feeding. OJ L. 2006 Aug 23;229:7.
4. EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM). Scientific opinion on the risks for animal and public health related to the presence of T-2 and HT-2 toxin in food and feed. EFSA J. 2011;9(12):2481.
5. EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM). Assessment of information as regards the toxicity of fumonisins for pigs, poultry and horses. EFSA J. 2022;20(10):7534.