How mycotoxins from aquafeeds affect animal condition and nutritional quality: Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) as case study

The use of plant-based ingredients in aquafeeds increases the risk of mycotoxin contamination, which can negatively impact fish health and pose potential risks to human consumers. Yet, the scientific knowledge on the adverse impacts of mycotoxins on seafood nutritional value and safety remains limited. In this context, this study evaluated the mycotoxins effects on the nutritional quality of juvenile Sparus aurata , when exposed to fumonisin B1 (FB1–139.05 µg/kg feed) and enniatin B (ENNB-154.06 µg/kg feed) in isolation or in mixture (FB1 +ENNB-130.10 and 121.12 µg/kg feed), for 28 days. In general, the mixture of both mycotoxins caused greater effects on fish nutritional value than their isolated exposure. Essential elements (K, Mg, Zn, Fe) were the most affected nutritional components in S. aurata muscle, which can compromise the nutritional quality of this species when exposed to FB1 and ENNB. Lipid peroxidation occurred under ENNB exposure, while a significantly decrease was observed in protein carbonylation for all mycotoxin-contaminated treatments. Overall, this study highlights the importance to undertake consumer risk-benefit assessment to accurately assess how can be affected when eating farmed fish. Such information is crucial for the implementation of future food and feed safety regulations focused on mycotoxins in aquafeeds and for consumers. • Combined action of mycotoxins had greater impact on fish nutritional value. • Mixture of mycotoxins lead to significant reductions in some lipid quality indices. • Essential elements (K, Mg, Zn, Fe) are the most affected nutritional components. • Isolated enniatin B promoted lipid peroxidation in fish muscle. • All mycotoxins-contaminated treatments induced protein oxidation.