BIOMIN ANNOUNCES POSITIVE EFSA OPINION FOR FUMZYME FOR FERMENTING FEED IN ALL SPECIES

Getzersdorf, Austria:

Leading animal nutrition firm BIOMIN has reached a key step in the EU registration of FUMzyme, the only commercially available mycotoxin-deactivating enzyme and component of Mycofix, for application in fermenting feed including silages.

On 21 July 2020, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) published a favorable Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of FUMzyme in fermenting feeds in all species.

FUMzyme, a fumonisin esterase, is a purified enzyme that detoxifies fumonisins –a category of mycotoxins produced by Fusarium fungi— into non-toxic metabolites. Previously, FUMzyme had received EU authorization for application in pig and poultry diets.

According to the new Scientific Opinion, “The additive has the capacity to degrade fumonisins in fermenting feed (with a fumonisin content within the guidance limits operating in the EU) when used at the minimum recommended dose of 40 U/kg feed. This conclusion is based on the results from three studies in which statistically significant fumonisins reduction was recorded in treated silage.”

“This represents an important step in achieving EU authorization of FUMzyme® for use in silages,” commented Ms Ursula Hofstetter, Head of Global Product Management Mycotoxins at BIOMIN. “We appreciate the rigorous scientific work of the FEEDAP Panel in reaching its conclusions,” she added.

In addition, the Opinion noted the safety of FUMzyme, stating “The FEEDAP Panel concludes that the use of additive under the proposed conditions of use is
safe for target animals, consumers and the environment.”

Fumonisins risk in livestock on the rise

The latest BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey reveals that fumonisins occur in 80% of over 6000 corn samples analyzed worldwide. Climate change creates a more favorable environment for the spread of Fusarium fungi, contributing to a rise in fumonisin contamination of crops.

“Fumonisins and mycotoxins in general are becoming a concern for the dairy industry,” noted Ms Hofstetter. A scientific recent study at the University Piacenza has shown that low levels of fumonisins and deoxynivalenol, another Fusarium mycotoxin, can significantly lower average daily milk yield, reduce dry matter digestibility and contribute to liver damage in dairy cows.

“The challenge for dairy farmers’ stems from the fact that fumonisins pass through the rumen largely intact,” commented Ms Hofsteffer. “They have been proven to damage the intestinal epithelium, which decreases nutrient absorption and causes leaky gut. This translates into impaired performance and higher susceptibility to disease,” she added.

“We’re hopeful to bring this innovative FUMzyme silage solution against fumonisins to dairy farmers once EU authorization is achieved,” Ms Hofstetter concluded.