DEFITOX: protect your performance against toxins

27 July 2026

Present in many raw materials, mycotoxins pose an invisible but very real risk to farms. Understanding their origin, their impacts and the levers of action is essential to preserve animal health and secure performance.

What are mycotoxins?

Mycotoxins are toxins produced by certain molds that can contaminate raw materials before harvest or during storage. Mainly present in cereals, their development is favoured by humidity, temperature and storage conditions. Particularly resistant, they can persist after feed processing and impact the health and performance of animals.

An invisible but frequent risk

The difficulty with mycotoxins is that they are not always visible in the feed. Feed can look visually healthy while still posing a risk of contamination. In addition, animals are rarely exposed to a single mycotoxin: co-contamination, i.e. the simultaneous presence of several mycotoxins or metabolites, is common in raw materials and feed.

This multiple exposure makes the risk assessment more complex. Even at low levels, mycotoxins can contribute to unbalancing the animal, especially when they are added to other stress factors: dietary transition, sanitary pressure, temperature variations or a drop in the quality of raw materials.

From the field to the farm: where is the risk?

The risk of mycotoxins can appear at different stages of the chain:

1. In the field: Climatic conditions, water stress, insect attacks or plant diseases can promote the development of mycotoxin-producing moulds.
2. At harvest: Damaged grains, harvesting in humid conditions, or insufficient drying can increase the risk of fungal growth.
3. During storage: Humidity, condensation, poor ventilation, or the presence of insects can promote mold growth in silos or storage.
4. In the finished feed: The contaminated raw materials can then be used in the composition of the feed. Risk management must therefore integrate the origin of raw materials, storage conditions and formulation.

The main mycotoxins to watch out for

Several families of mycotoxins are regularly monitored in animal feed. Among the best known are:

• aflatoxins, mainly associated with certain molds of the genus Aspergillus ;
• DON or deoxynivalenol, a Fusarium-like toxin  ;
• fumonisins ;
• zearalenone
• ochratoxin A ;
• T-2 and HT-2 toxins.

Each family has its own mechanisms of action and its own target organs. This is why an approach focused solely on an isolated toxin may be insufficient: the reality on the ground is often multifactorial.

What are the impacts on animals?

The effects of mycotoxins vary according to several parameters: type of toxin, level of contamination, duration of exposure, animal species, age, health status and level of performance of the farm.

Impacts can include:

• a decrease in intake;
• impaired digestive health;
• weakening of immunity;
• a deterioration in zootechnical performance;
• a decline in growth or productivity;
• impaired liver function
• increased sensitivity to other stressors.

Why is a prevention strategy essential?

Mycotoxin management cannot rely on a single lever. It requires a comprehensive approach combining:

• the selection and control of raw materials;
• the quality of storage;
• risk analysis;
• the use of appropriate nutritional solutions;
• technical support for livestock farms.

DEFITOX: a nutritional response to the risk of mycotoxins

MG2MIX has developed DEFITOX, a solution designed to support animals in the face of mycotoxin risk.

DEFITOX is part of a global approach aimed at:

• reduce the risk of mycotoxins in the feed ;
• minimising their impact on animal health and performance ;
• support the detoxification functions of the liver ;
• Securing performance in a risky environment.

Its unique formulation combines ingredients selected for their complementarity, with an approach that is at once nutritional, technical and field-based.

DEFITOX combines several levers of action: clay and thermostructured charcoal capable of adsorbing mycotoxins at the digestive level, yeast walls binding and evacuating toxins, plant extracts contributing to detoxifying the body, as well as nutrients specifically chosen to support the natural detoxification mechanisms. This synergy makes it possible to provide a global response to the diversity of situations encountered in the field and the complexity of multiple contaminations.

Concrete benefits for farms

In a context of mycotoxin risk, DEFITOX makes it possible to integrate a technical response into nutritional programs. The objective is to help farms preserve their results and secure the performance of the animals.

The benefits are based on several axes:

• better control of food risk;
• securing zootechnical performance;
• support for liver function;
• an approach adapted to the different species;
• Simple integration into nutritional strategies.

DEFITOX: innovation for mycotoxin control

At MG2MIX, the fight against mycotoxins is at the heart of our Research & Development programs. Through a multi-component approach, DEFITOX helps to secure animal health and performance. Our continuous innovation approach has also enabled the development of a version enriched with a specific enzymatic activity of DON (deoxynivalenol), for a response that is increasingly adapted to the challenges encountered in the field.

MG2MIX’s expertise: more than a product, a support

MG2MIX’s strength lies in a detailed knowledge of ingredients, their quality and their role in formulas. This mastery allows us to support our clients in a personalized approach, according to the species, the raw materials available and the level of risk identified.

Our experts are available to support you, don’t hesitate to contact them here