The Significance of Feed-Borne Mycotoxins in Aquaculture

Abstract

Mycotoxins are fungal metabolites which can reduce growth and adversely alter metabolism of aquaculture species.
The pathological states arising from the consumption of feeds contaminated with mycotoxins are mycotoxicoses.
Mycotoxins can be formed in the field preharvest and may continue to be formed under suboptimal storage
conditions postharvest. Some fungi, such as Aspergillus flavus, are usually found in areas with tropical and semitropical
climates. This mold produces the carcinogenic hepatotoxin, aflatoxin. Numerous studies have shown
aquaculture species to be particularly susceptible to aflatoxicosis. Fusarium fungi, however, are more common in
temperate climates and Fusarium mycotoxins are likely the most common mycotoxins on a global basis. The
Fusarium mycotoxins are not typically carcinogenic but aquaculture species have been shown to be sensitive to the
presence of feed-borne Fusarium mycotoxins.