Effects of aflatoxin B1 on performance and health of tambaqui fingerlings (Colossoma macropomum)

Abstract

The detection of mycotoxins in feeds and their ingredients in aquaculture gained prominence due to losses caused in production and animal health, mainly the occurrence of aflatoxin (AFB 1 ). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of AFB 1 on the performance of tambaqui fingerlings (Colossoma macropomum). Four hundred tambaqui were used. Four different treatments were evaluated: treatment T1, considered as the control treatment (CT) with 3.84 lg kg -1 ; treatment T2, treatment T3 and treatment T4 with 500, 1000 and 2000 lg kg -1 of AFB 1 , respectively. The AFB 1 of the samples (muscle, liver and kidney) was detected by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Four fingerlings from each treatment for histological analysis were examined. Moreover, the performance parameters (weight gain, feed conversion and feed intake) were studied. The levels of toxins used in T2, T3 and T4 represent a reduction in the growth of 14%, 35% and 45%, respectively. The T3 and T4 showed the lowest weight gain (78%) and the worst feed conversion. Aflatoxin B 1 in muscle (3.28 lg kg -1 ) and kidneys (8.8 lg kg -1 ) in the T3, as well as liver (4.4 lg kg -1 ) and kidney (4.08 lg kg -1 ) in T4, was detected. Histopathological changes in liver and kidney tissues of fingerlings were more pronounced in T3 and T4. Fingerlings that consume feed contaminated with AFB 1 in concentrations higher than 500 lg kg -1 present decreases in growth, reduction in weight gain and feed intake with increased feed conversion. The consumption of feed contaminated with 1000 and 2000 lg kg -1 of AFB 1 caused severe deterioration in the hepatic and renal tissues.

The Assessment of Diet Contaminated with Aflatoxin B1 in Juvenile Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and the Evaluation of the Efficacy of Mitigation of a Yeast Cell Wall Extract

“…In nile tilapia, diets with AFB 1 (2000 or 4000 μg/kg) remarkably reduced the weight gain (WG), FE, and the content of crude lipid [ 23 ], while results reported by Tuan et al [ 25 ] and Deng et al [ 26 ] demonstrated that WG, FI and FE were significantly reduced by 250 μg/kg or higher dietary AFB 1 . A similar result was also showed in tambaqui (500 μg/kg or higher level of AFB 1 ) [ 36 ]. However, previous studies found that a diet with low levels of AFB 1 could reduce the WGR, SGR and FI of grass carp (less than 147 μg/kg AFB 1 ) [ 30 ].…”

“…The result showed that AFB 1 residues in serum was higher than in muscle of turbot fed Diet 6. Furthermore, Han et al reported AFB 1 residues in muscle and ovaries of gibel carp [27], and similar findings had been observed in kidney and spleen of grass carp [30] and muscle, kidney and liver of tambaqui [36]. El-Sayed and Khalil reported AFB 1 residues in musculature of sea bass at high level (about 5 µg/kg), the consumption of which could have negative effects on human health [16].…”

“…There was also plenty of research in nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) [23][24][25][26], the poor growth performance was caused by more than 250 µg AFB 1 /kg in diet. Other relevant studies also included gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) [27][28][29], grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) [30], rohu (Labeo rohita) [31][32][33], red tilapia (O. niloticus × O. mossambicus) [34], channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) [35], tambaqui fingerlings (Colossoma macropomum) [36], beluga (Huso huso) [37] and Thai koi (Anabas testudineus) [38]. Usually the toxic effects of AFB 1 occurred when the dose was greater than 100 µg/kg diet.…”

“…Consequently, food consumption of AFB 1 presents a serious risk to human health [40][41][42]. Few studies showed the results of AFB 1 residues in musculature in fish such as sea bass [16], gibel carp [27], tambaqui [36] and Thai koi [38], whereas other studies did not detect AFB 1 tissue residues in nile tilapia [26] and red tilapia [34]. The disparities observed in these studies show the potential differences in responses and absorption/metabolization processes amongst fish species following AFB 1 exposure.…”

“…Other relevant studies also included gibel carp ( Carassius auratus gibelio ) [ 27 , 28 , 29 ], grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella ) [ 30 ], rohu ( Labeo rohita ) [ 31 , 32 , 33 ], red tilapia ( O. niloticus × O . mossambicus ) [ 34 ], channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ) [ 35 ], tambaqui fingerlings ( Colossoma macropomum ) [ 36 ], beluga ( Huso huso ) [ 37 ] and Thai koi ( Anabas testudineus ) [ 38 ]. Usually the toxic effects of AFB 1 occurred when the dose was greater than 100 μg/kg diet.…”