Response of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) to different dietary concentrations of aflatoxin B1 and evaluation of an aflatoxin binder in offsetting its negative effectsRespuesta del bagre amarillo (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) a diferentes concentraciones dietéticas de aflatoxina B1 y la evaluación de una bentonita para contrarrestar sus efectos negativos ABSTRACT. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, is one of the major mycotoxins to affect animal health. AFB1 contamination of aquafeed is widespread, especially in countries with humid, tropical climates. The most applied method for protecting animals against aflatoxicosis is the use of clay minerals. Growth performance, immunosuppressive effects (bactericidal activity, lysozyme activity, albumin/globulin ratio, alternative complement pathway activity, and protein content), and pathology parameters were used to evaluate the response of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) to increasing concentrations of AFB1 and test the protective effect of dietary supplementation with a bentonite (dioctahedral montmorillonite) based AFB1 binder. Triplicate groups of yellow catfish with an average weight of 2.0 ± 0.1 g were fed diets containing 0, 200, 500, and 1,000 g/kg of AFB1 alone, or diets containing 0, 200, 500, and 1,000 g/kg of AFB1 along with 2 g/kg AFB1 binder, for 12 weeks. Results showed that diets containing increasing amounts of AFB1 had a significantly lower (P = 0.002) survival rate. There was a statistical significant reduction in weight gain, final body weight, and specific growth rate, and an increase in feed conversion ratio (FCR) influenced by the levels of AFB1 in the diet (P < 0.001 for all parameters), as well as increasing protection due to the presence of the binder (P = 0.046, P = 0.014, P = 0.038, and P = 0.485, respectively). The immunosuppressive nature of AFB1 in yellow catfish diets was confirmed through observation of lower bactericidal activity (P = 0.001), lower lysozyme activity (P = 0.006), reduced total protein (P = 0.002), and enhanced albumin/globulin ratio (P = 0.004). Fish fed diets contaminated with AFB1 and supplemented with the AFB1 binder showed better improvement in FCR (P = 0.019). These results indicate that AFB1 has a negative impact on yellow catfish growth and survival rate. The AFB1 binder protected fish from the toxic effects of AFB1.
RESUMEN.La aflatoxina B1 (AFB1), producida por Aspergillus flavus y Aspergillus parasiticus, es una de las principales micotoxinas que afectan la salud animal. La contaminación de alimentos acuícolas con AFB1 es común, especialmente en países con climas húmedos y tropicales. El método más usado para proteger a los animales contra la aflatoxicosis es el uso de arcillas. Para evaluar la respuesta del bagre amarillo (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) a concentraciones crecientes de AFB1 y evaluar el efecto protector de una bentonita (montmorillonita dioctaédrica), se analizaron el crecimiento, efectos inmunosupresores (actividad bactericida, relación a...