Efficacy of a hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate to reduce the toxicity of aflatoxin and diacetoxyscirpenol

A hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS) was incorporated into diets (.5%) containing 3.5 mg/kg aflatoxin (AF) and 5.0 mg/kg diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) singly and in combination. Male broiler chicks received ad libitum access to their respective diets and water from 1 to 21 days of age. Body weight gains were significantly (P < .05) depressed by AF and DAS singly and a synergistic interaction occurred between AF and DAS for a further depression of body weight gains. Alterations in hematological and serum biochemical values, as well as serum enzyme activities, were observed for the AF and the AF and DAS combination. Additionally, a significant interaction occurred between AF and DAS for some biochemical values and enzyme activities. Adding HSCAS resulted in almost total protection against the effects caused by AF alone, limited protection against the combination, but no protection against the DAS alone. These findings indicate that HSCAS can diminish the adverse effects of AF but not of DAS.