WINTER BONUS MAGAZINE 2026

Hidden threats in the feed: The impact of DON and ZEAmycotoxins on pig performance Chantelle de la Porte – Product Manager: Swine Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi that grow on various types of crops, includingmaize, wheat, barley, and sorghum. The toxins may be introduced into the feed at several stages. Pre-harvesting, at harvesting, during storage, during feedmanufacturing, during transport, or on-farmhandling. These toxins are produced by five different fungal genus groups (see table 1). DON and ZEA mycotoxins form part of the Fusarium species. They are of concern for pig health and performance due to the sensitivity of pigs towards these toxins. They impair gut health, immunity, and growth of pigs, even at subclinical levels. Table 1: Fungal genus groups and key mycotoxins produced Fungal genus Key mycotoxins produced Aspergillus Aflatoxins, Ochratoxin A, Citrinin, Patulin Penicillium Ochratoxin A, Citrinin, Patulin Fusarium DON, T-2, HT-2, ZEA, Fumonisins Claviceps Ergot alkaloids Stachybotrys Trichothecenes Deoxynivalenol (DON) – effects on pigs DON, also known as vomitoxin, infects cereal crops such as wheat, maize, barley, and oats. High humidity and rainfall increase the occurrence of DON, especially when the high rainfall occurs during the flowering and grain development phases of the crops. This is one of the most common mycotoxins found in animal feed worldwide and is of great concern because of its stability during processing, which makes it difficult to eliminate. DON has a molecular structure that consists of a rigid four-ring backbone with attached hydroxyl groups, a ketone group, and an epoxide ring (see figure 1). This structure allows DON to interfere with normal cellular processes and causes damage in the intestinal lining of the gut. Figure 1: DON molecular structure www.agribonus.co.za Winter 2026 BONUS 113