Effect of low levels of fumonisin contamination on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)

Abstract

Use of plant-based ingredients in aquafeeds, especially for carnivorous species, is likely to increase in view of concerns regaridng the sustainability, price, and availability of fishmeal. As mycotoxins are a common problem associated with the use of plant ingredients, this study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of two levels of fumonisins (168 μg/ kg feed and 333 μg/kg) and compared with 0μg/kg (the Control diet) for total growth, whole-body nutrient retention, liver enzyme activity, and several plasma humoral parameters in juvenile gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata. Results suggest that diets contaminated with fumonisins can be detrimental to the growth performance of seabream. Fumonisin levels as low as 168 μg/kg feed had a significant impact on final body weight, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio. Fumonisins also reduced fat and energy retention and disrupted the respiratory burst in circulating leukocytes. Fumonisin levels at 333 μg/kg feed increased these detrimental effects, clearly demonstrating a doseresponse relationship. These results highlight the possible need to re-evaluate the European Commission guidance value for fumonisins (FB 1 + FB 2) in complementary and complete feedstuffs for fish of 10,000 μg/kg, which might be too high for certain species, such as seabream.

Mycotoxins in aquafeeds : The impact on rainbow trout

“…The sensitivity of fish to fumonisins seems to differ strongly between fish species. In studies with a longer ad libitum period than the current study, lower fumonisins levels resulted in reduced growth in seabream (FB1 and FB2 ≥168 µg/kg; (Gonçalves et al, 2020b)) and in turbot (FB1 and FB2 ≥1000 µg/kg; (Gonçalves et al, 2020c)). In other fish species, fumonisins effects on growth were only observed at higher levels (FB1≥5000 µg/kg in African catfish; (Gbore et al, 2010)) (FB1 ≥40000 µg/kg in Nile tilapia; (Tuan et al, 2003)) (FB1≥20000 µg/kg in channel catfish; (Lumlertdacha et al, 1995); (Yildirim et al, 2000)).…”

“…FB1 altered the metabolism of sphingolipids in rainbow trout (Carlson et al, 2001), but no information was presented regarding its effect on performance. In other farmed fish species, fumonisins impaired growth (seabream, (Gonçalves et al, 2020b); turbot, (Gonçalves et al, 2020c); African catfish, (Gbore et al, 2010); Nile tilapia, (Tuan et al, 2003); channel catfish (Lumlertdacha et al, 1995;Yildirim et al, 2000). Despite its frequent occurrence in European aquafeeds (Koletsi et al, 2021), information on fusaric acid toxicity in farmed fish species is lacking.…”

Haematology reference values for Dicentrarchus labrax and Sparus aurata: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…From the extended research on scientific articles on the 'normal' reference ranges of haematological parameters of seabream, only 22 articles met the inclusion criteria (Ballester-Lozano et al, 2015;Buscaino et al, 2010;Fazio et al, 2013Fazio et al, , 2015Fazio et al, , 2018Gelibolu et al, 2018;Gonçalves et al, 2020;Guerreiro et al, 2016;Gultepe et al, 2012;Henry et al, 2015;Marino et al, 2016;Mente et al, 2012;Molinero & Gonzalez, 1995;Montero et al, 2001;Pages et al, 1995;Palstra et al, 2020;Pavlidis et al, 2007;Perez-Sanchez et al, 2015;Rigos et al, 2013;Tort et al, 2002;Yildiz & Altunay, 2011;Zupan et al, 2015). Again, only a few articles covered all the haematological parameters considered.…”