Evaluation of the efficacy of bentonite from the south of Argentina to ameliorate the toxic effects of aflatoxin in broilers

In vitro studies indicated that a sodium bentonite (SB) from southern Argen tina had a high ability to sorb aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) from aqueous solutio n. We evaluated this compound for its ability to reduce the effects of tota l aflatoxins (AF; 5 mg AFB(1)/kg) in the diet of growing broiler chickens f rom 30 to 52 d of age. The diets were amended with 0.3% Argentinean SE to d etermine the effect of this compound during aflatoxicosis. When compared wi th the controls, BW gains were significantly (P < 0.05) lower for broilers fed diets containing AF alone (1,865 vs. 1,552 g). No differences were foun d between the BW gains of broiler chickens fed diets without AF (1,785 g) a nd those of chickens fed AF + SE (1,809 g). These results suggest that effe cts of AF treatment were ameliorated when SE was used in the broiler chick diets. The AF significantly (P < 0.05) decreased feed efficiency. Liver, ki dney, and pancreas relative weights increased in chickens fed the diet cont aining AF alone. Alterations in the levels of serum total protein, albumin (ALB), and globulins (GLOB) were observed for AF diets, and moderate protec tion was provided by the sorbent. The ALB:GLOB ratio decreased in both grou ps of birds fed with the AF-contaminated diet, and we observed a moderate i ncrease in this ratio by 0.3% addition of SE. The histopathological finding s in liver sections of broiler fed diets with AF + SB indicated a nonprotec tive effect of this adsorbent, because a moderate hepatic steatosis was obs erved.