Prevention of patulin toxicity on rumen microbial fermentation by SH-containing reducing agents.
Patulin, a toxic fungal metabolite, negatively affects rumen fermentation. This mycotoxin has also been associated with intoxication cases in cattle. This study investigates the use of SH-containing reducing compounds to prevent patulin's negative effects on the rumen microbial ecosystem. The effect of 50 microg/mL patulin on the fermentation of alfalfa hay was measured in batch cultures with and without reducing agents. Sulfhydryl-containing cysteine and glutathione prevented the negative effects of the toxin on dry matter degradation, gas, and volatile fatty acid production (P < 0.01). However, non-sulfhydryl-containing ascorbic and ferulic acids did not protect against patulin's toxicity (P > 0.01). Patulin was unstable in buffered rumen fluid as the concentration decreased by half after 4 h of incubation. In the presence of sulfhydryl groups, the toxin disappeared rapidly and was not detected after 1 h of incubation. The utilization of sulfhydryl-containing compounds such as cysteine to avert patulin toxicity could have practical implications in ruminant nutrition.
Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Clermont-Fd-Theix Research Centre, Herbivore Research Unit, 63122 Saint Genès-Champanelle, France. morgavi@clermont.inra.fr
Diego P
DP
Morgavi
Hamid
H
Boudra
Jean-Pierre
JP
Jouany
Dominique
D
Graviou
D000818:Animals; D003545:Cysteine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000378:metabolism; D005285:Fermentation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D010365:Patulin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D012417:Rumen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D012756:Sheep; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*
D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D010365:Patulin; D005978:Glutathione; D003545:Cysteine