Detriment of mycotoxin contamination in feed and nutrition-based prevention and control strategies: A review.

Abstract

The health of humans and livestock is significantly compromised by the pervasive and serious issue of mycotoxin contamination in crops. Exploring ways to eliminate mycotoxin contamination is a global concern. In vivo biological prevention and treatment of mycotoxin damage demand a comprehensive understanding of its harm mechanisms, which is essential for developing comprehensive strategies. This study aimed to systematically review the mechanisms by which mycotoxin contamination damages the organism, causing oxidative stress, cellular apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and via the gut-liver axis, gut-testis axis, and gut-immune axis, causing damage to multiple organs. Further, we explored a range of biological control measures, showing that supplementing diets and animal feed with plant extracts, trace elements, probiotics, and other additives effectively mitigates the damage caused by mycotoxin exposure. This review examines the feasibility and limitations of combined strategies utilizing trace element selenium, probiotics, and plant extracts, aiming to provide a promising approach for the prevention and control of mycotoxin contamination.