Mycotoxins in Aquafeeds

Mycotoxins are a serious problem in food and feed, particularly in fish farming where they can have detrimental effects on the fish species that are farmed. Fishmeal has been successfully substituted with plant-based ingredients in final fish diets. Nevertheless, the use of crops in feeds raises the possibility of mycotoxin and fungal contamination, as well as the frequency of mycotoxicosis in fish. Because mycotoxicosis typically causes decreased body weight, growth impairment, and greater rates of illness and mortality in fish, this could reduce aquaculture's productivity. Furthermore, the muscles of fish may accumulate certain mycotoxins. Because mycotoxins are significant genotoxins, carcinogens, and immunosuppressors to people, eating fish may therefore become another pathway for mycotoxins to infiltrate the human food chain, endangering food security and public health.