HYDRATED SODIUM-CALCIUM ALUMINOSILICATE (HSCAS), ACIDIC HSCAS, AND ACTIVATED-CHARCOAL REDUCE URINARY-EXCRETION OF AFLATOXIN M(1) IN TURKEY POULTS - LACK OF EFFECT BY ACTIVATED-CHARCOAL ON AFLATOXICOSIS

In one experiment, the effect of inorganic sorbents on the metabolic f ate of aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) was studied in turkey poults. At 5 weeks of age, female poults were surgically colostomized and 9 days later o rally dosed with 0.75 mg AFB(1)/kg BW. Hydrated sodium calcium alumino silicate (HSCAS), acidic HSCAS, and activated charcoal (AC) were teste d, by concomitant administration with AFB(1). Urine was collected up t o 48 h post-dosing and analyzed for aflatoxin M(1) (AFM(1)) which was the major metabolite found in all treatment groups. Hydrated sodium ca lcium aluminosilicate, previously proven beneficial in alleviating afl atoxicosis in farm animals, reduced urinary AFM(1) output when orally dosed simultaneous with AFB(1). Also, acidic HSCAS and AC significantl y decreased AFM(1) excretion when administered concomitantly with AFB( 1). A second experiment was conducted to evaluate the ability of two t ypes of AC to modify aflatoxicosis when added to aflatoxin (AF)-contam inated (from culture material) diets of turkey poults. Although AC was able to decrease AFM(1) excretion in the first experiment, no protect ive effects from AF toxicity were observed in the feeding study.