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 fate 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 orally dosed with 0.75 mg AFB(1)/kg BW. Hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS), acidic HSCAS, and activated charcoal (AC) were tested, by concomitant administration with AFB(1). Urine was collected up to 48 h post-dosing and analyzed for aflatoxin M(1) (AFM(1)) which was the major metabolite found in all treatment groups. Hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate, previously proven beneficial in alleviating aflatoxicosis in farm animals, reduced urinary AFM(1) output when orally dosed simultaneous with AFB(1). Also, acidic HSCAS and AC significantly decreased AFM(1) excretion when administered concomitantly with AFB(1). A second experiment was conducted to evaluate the ability of two types of AC to modify aflatoxicosis when added to aflatoxin (AF)-contaminated (from culture material) diets of turkey poults. Although AC was able to decrease AFM(1) excretion in the first experiment, no protective effects from AF toxicity were observed in the feeding study.