Patulin-BSA Antigen

Patulin is a toxic secondary metabolite (mycotoxin) produced by several species of fungi, particularly Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Byssochlamys. While it is most famous for contaminating moldy fruits (especially apples), it frequently spoils silage, grains, and other agricultural commodities used as animal feed. When consumed by livestock, patulin can cause severe gastrointestinal hemorrhages, ulceration, immune suppression, and neurological damage. Although it is relatively unstable and metabolizes rapidly in live animals-meaning direct carry-over into milk, meat, and eggs is generally low-the contamination of animal feed reduces livestock health and creates a risk of trace exposure in the animal-derived food supply chain if animals ingest heavily molded feed shortly before production or slaughter.