The impact of environmental variations (temperature and humidity) on Fusarium graminearum in broiler and pig feed

Abstract

Fusarium-related mycotoxins are a major concern in livestock feeds due to their toxicity and potential for co-occurrence, which can cause additive or synergistic effects. This study investigated the influence of temperature and moisture content on fusarium-associated mycotoxin production in pig and broiler feeds. Feeds were inoculated with the Fusarium graminearum and incubated under controlled temperatures (30-40 °C) and moisture levels (8-15%), and mycotoxins including deoxynivalenol (DON), Fusarenone-X (FUX), fumonisins B 1 and B 2 (FB 1 , FB 2 ), ochratoxin A (OTA), T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, and zearalenone (ZEN) were quantified using LCMS. Results showed that temperature was the primary driver of mycotoxin production, while moisture content modulated mycotoxin magnitude and diversity in a feed-dependent manner. In pig feed, fumonisins were predominantly produced at 30 °C under low moisture, with FB 1 reaching 1850 µg/kg. DON and FUX were detected across a wider temperature range, whereas ZEN remained relatively stable. OTA, T-2, and HT-2 toxins were infrequently detected. Broiler feed showed similar patterns, with DON and FUX consistently present, fumonisins largely restricted to lower temperatures, and ZEN stable across conditions. Co-occurrence of multiple mycotoxins was most pronounced at lower temperatures, highlighting the risk of chronic multi-toxin exposure. Overall, these findings emphasize the importance of optimized feed storage and multi-mycotoxin monitoring. Feed-specific mitigation strategies, including antifungal additives or plant-derived bioactive compounds, may help reduce mycotoxin accumulation and safeguard livestock health and productivity.