Ensiling fails to detoxify whole-plant maize contaminated with Datura stramonium plants

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether ensiling reduces tropane alkaloid concentrations in whole-plant maize contaminated with Datura stramonium , a concern for animal feed safety. Whole-plant maize silages were prepared with 10% dried and ground D. stramonium and analysed at 0, 30 and 90 days using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Atropine levels decreased by 21% over 90 days, while scopolamine increased by 17%, resulting in a non-significant overall reduction of total alkaloids. These results indicate that ensiling does not effectively detoxify whole-plant maize contaminated with D. stramonium . Consequently, contaminated silage may pose a risk to cattle health, underscoring the need for preventive measures to limit D. stramonium contamination in feed crops.