Mycotoxins presence in pre- and post-fermented silage from Tunisia

Abstract Silage represents a major part of the feed ration for livestock, being a potential cause of mycotoxicosis as it can be contaminated with toxigenic fungi capable of producing mycotoxins in suitable environmental conditions. In the present work, the presence of natural mycotoxins in samples collected of silage from the main producing areas in Tunisia (Ariana, Bizerte, Beja and Jendouba) was assessed based on different plant material (oat, barley, triticale, artichoke, sulla or raygrass). Mycotoxins were evaluated during three periods in green forage (P1) and subsequently in ensiled products after 60 days (P2) and 100 days (P3) of fermentation. Samples were extracted by a QuEChERS pro…