Organically modified clinoptilolite (OMC)
decreases toxic effects of mycotoxins
in whiteleg shrimp
(Litopenaeus vannamei)

Use of feed ingredients with a low level of aflatoxins contamination in aquaculture is a growing concern as it increases risk for aquatic animal health and seafood safety globally.

Prevention and control of mycotoxins with feed additives has been utilized to reduce this risk with limited success.

Recently, a novel surface modification of natural zeolite
(clinoptilolite E567/568; MINAZEL PLUS^®, OMC+) by addition of organic cations has been shown to increase selective adsorption of both polar and non-polar mycotoxins in contaminated feed.

However, effects of this new class of mycotoxin adsorbing feed additives on whiteleg shrimp exposed to dietary aflatoxins have not yet been studied.

To investigate the safety and efficacy of the surface-modified clinoptilolite adsorbent as part of both polar and non-polar mycotoxin control and prevention strategies, we supplemented control and aflatoxin-contaminated diets with OMC at a level of 0,2% for 4 weeks.

The study involved the following groups:

• ⇰ Control group (no additive or AFB₁)
• ⇰ AFB₁ group (no additive)
• ⇰ OMC+ group (no AFB₁)
• ⇰ AFB₁/OMC+group 

The effects of natural contamination of the diet with 1 mg/Kg of Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and the protective role of OMC on shrimp health were evaluated using:

• ⇰ Growth performance
• ⇰ Haematology
• ⇰ Biochemistry (Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase; GOT, Glutamate pyruvate transaminase; GPT)
• ⇰ Phagocytic activity
• ⇰ Phenol oxidase
• ⇰ Histopathological assessment of hepatopancreas, gills, and gastrointestinal tract

⇰ The percentages of weight gain and average daily growth of
the control and OMC+ groups showed a significant increase
every week from the beginning of the study until day 28.

⇰ The OMC+ group had the highest percentage of weight gain followed by control (no additive or AFB₁), AFB₁/OMC+, and AFB₁ groups.

⇰ Mycotoxin contamination in feed can decrease growth, lower apparent digestibility, cause physiological disorders and histopathological changes, mainly in the hepatopancreas tissue of shrimp.

⇰ In the groups supplemented with OMC, the hepatopancreas function was rescued from the effects of AFB₁.