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

Summary


OBJECTIVE  

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.


MATERIALS & METHODS 

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


RESULTS 

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.

Overall, OMC can increase growth performance, reduce variability in shrimp size and enhance feed conversion ratio. In long term, OMC can be used in whiteleg shrimp culture to safely and efficiently reduce risk of mycotoxin contamination and protect hepatopancreas function to achieve better health status and production.

Authors

 Nantarika Chansue1, N. Keschumras1, P. Chiyangsuvata1, J. Tangtrongpiros1, D. Palić2, N. Todorović3, J. Raj3 and M. Vasiljević3

1Research Unit Ornamental Aquatic Animals and Aquatic Animals for Conservation, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

2Chair for Fish Diseases and Fisheries Biology, Ludwig Maximilians-Universität München, Germany

3Patent Co., Serbia

References

The World Mycotoxin Forum – WMF meets Asia – 13-15 January 2020, Bangkok, Thailand

Micotoxicosis prevention
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