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This work aimed at assessing the presence of total aflatoxins (AFs) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in fish farmed in two Cameroonian localities and the possible origin of that contamination through analysis of fish feeds as well as water and mud collected from the fish farming ponds. Four fish species (kanga, tilapia, catfish, and carp) were collected from two fish farming sites (Mfou and Batié). Mud and water from the farming ponds of the different species and the fish feeds used in these sites were also collected. The samples (34) were analyzed for their levels of AFs and AFB1 using the competitive ELISA method. The results obtained showed that all fish tissue contained AFs and AFB1. A level of AFs higher than the threshold value recommended by the FDA (20 ppb) was observed in catfish (31.38±0.29 ppb). AFs and AFB1 were presented in fish feeds as well as in muds collected from the farming ponds. Catfish was the fish species which mostly bioaccumulated aflatoxins in their tissue. This study presents the state of art on the mycotoxin contamination of fish farmed in some Cameroonian localities and suggests that attention should be paid to the quality of ingredients used to feed fish.

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Background: Fish farming in Cameroon is growing very rapidly and fish available in the markets is mostly coming from fish farms, but domestic fish production is still low to meet demand. Intensification of production could lead to the occurrence of various types of contaminants that can affect the sanitary quality of farmed fish and consumer health. This study aimed to assess the quality of farmed fish collected in fish farms located in four regions of Cameroon (Center, South, West, Littoral).Results: Concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead, chromium, cobalt, and nickel were determined in pond water and muscles of Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus raised in concrete and earthen ponds to evaluate health risk for consumers. Trace elements were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Heavy metals in water for concrete and earthen ponds shows there are no significant differences (p<0.05) between the rearing systems except for cobalt and nickel. Heavy metals concentrations in water were lower when compared to the WHO recommended limits except for cadmium in all the ponds. For concrete ponds, heavy metal concentrations decreased in water in the sequence of Cd > As > Co > Ni > Cr > Pb. For earthen ponds the concentrations decreased as Cd > Co > As > Ni > Cr > Pb.Conclusion: Concentrations recorded in the muscles of the 2 species were above the safety limits recommended by FAO/WHO. The target hazard quotient of As was highest compared to other metals and higher than the acceptable limits according to US Environmental Protection Agency guidelines in all fish species. the level of each investigated metal, highlighted a very low health risk for consumers.