Toxin binders in dairy ration: balancing nutrient utilization and aflatoxin M1 safety in crossbred cows

Abstract

The present study evaluated the comparative efficacy of different dietary toxin binders in mitigating aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) contamination in milk of crossbred lactating cows under natural, non-spiked feeding conditions, without compromising animal performance or health. Sixteen early- to mid-lactation Holstein–Friesian crossbred cows were randomly allotted to four groups (n = 4): control (no binder), sodium bentonite (1%; T1), herbal–clay enzyme premix (0.5%; T2), and a conjugated silicate–yeast–organic acid premix (0.2%; T3). Animals were fed a basal diet consisting of mixed green fodder and concentrate for 60 days. Feed and milk samples were analyzed for aflatoxins using LC–MS/MS, while nutrient intake, digestibility, milk yield, milk composition, and blood biochemical parameters were monitored.

Total aflatoxin levels in the feed were within naturally occurring ranges. Dry matter intake, overall nutrient digestibility, milk yield, fat-corrected milk, and milk composition were comparable among treatments (P>0.05), indicating no adverse effects of binder supplementation. Blood biochemical indices, including liver and kidney function markers, remained within physiological limits across all groups. AFM₁ concentrations in milk were significantly reduced in binder-supplemented groups compared to control, with the greatest reduction observed in T3. The conjugated binder reduced AFM₁ levels below the European Union permissible limit (0.05 ppb) by the 6th and 8th weeks, achieving an average efficacy of 56–59%. It is concluded that dietary toxin binders effectively reduce AFM₁ transfer into milk under natural contamination conditions, with conjugated silicate–yeast–organic acid binders showing superior efficacy without affecting animal performance or health.