1Department of Animal Production and Nutrition, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
2Department of Food Engineering, School of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Av. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Pirassununga, SP, 13630-000, Brazil
3School of Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Rua Imaculada Conceição-1155, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
4Animal Sciences Department, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
5College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
Department of Animal Science, School of Animal Science and Food EngineeringUniversity of São Paulo, Av. Duque de Caxias Norte 225, Pirassununga, SP, 13630-000, Brazil
*Corresponding author: carlosaf@usp.br
Online published on 11 January, 2019.
Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi species of Aspergillus, mainly A. flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nomius. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most toxic compound, being hepatotoxic and carcinogenic in vertebrate animals including humans. The mechanisms of toxicity of AFB1 include oxidative stress, which leadsto DNA, protein and lipid damages at the cell level. Antioxidants have been used as food additives to protect against oxidative degradation, and are also known to inhibit fungal growth. This review presents the updated knowledge on the use of natural antioxidants as detoxifying agentsfor animal feed contaminated with aflatoxin.
Aflatoxin B1, Detoxification, Fungi, Natural antioxidants, Reactive oxygen species