Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a potent toxin frequently present in animal feeds, which accumulates in the animal tissues for human consumption. This results in critical animal welfare issues, as well as food safety issues. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to show that OTA can be degraded by an enzyme supplemented with pigs’ feed. In the pig gut, this enzyme successfully breaks down the toxic OTA molecule into a nontoxic form that is excreted through urine and feces, which is applicable in supporting the pig’s health, welfare, and productivity as well as assuring the safety of the pig meat for human consumption.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.