Studies on Gibberella Zeae-Infected Corn in Diets of Rats and Swine

Abstract

Gibberella zeae-infected corn contains substances causing feed refusal in pigs and rats and emesis in pigs. The response to various levels of G. zeae (Gib) infected corn in the diet and effect of various treatments on acceptability were studied in six experiments with rats and two experiments with pigs. Washing Gib-infected shelled corn with water for 48 hr. or treatment with NaOH followed by washing for 30 min. and neutralization improved its acceptability. Feed consumption and weight gain of rats fed these treated diets equaled those of controls. Swine consumed the treated corns without emesis nor obvious signs of discomfort. Addition of vinegar or zinc to the diets had little beneficial effect. Rats responded by decreasing feed consumption when Gib damage exceeded 5% of the diet. In preference studies, rats discriminated against diets containing 1.5% or more Gib-infected corn. Effect of a diet containing 5% or more Gib-infection could be determined after 2 days as well as after longer intervals.