The Application of Spectroscopic Techniques to Detect Mycotoxins in Bovine Blood Samples and Their Impact on Liver Function

Abstract

This research was designed to examine the efficacy of spectroscopic methods — spectrophotometry in particular — in the quantification and identification of mycotoxins in bovine blood samples, as well as the effect these toxins had on the biochemical markers of liver function. To achieve this aim, the research was conducted using a chemical laboratory analysis approach that involved the spectroscopic analysis of the absorbance of toxin molecules obtained from serum according to the Beer–Lambert law, together with colorimetric analysis for measuring the activity of liver enzymes (such as AST and ALT) and bilirubin. Several significant findings were made during the research; the principal one was the demonstration of the efficiency and speed of spectrophotometric analysis for very low concentrations of mycotoxins in complex biological fluids, which confirmed the role of these toxins in stimulating oxidative stress and hepatocyte injury — manifested by the increased activity of serum enzymes — as well as the efficiency of feed adsorbents in preventing the bioavailability of toxins and in normalising the biochemical indicators of the liver.