Journal of Aquaculture Research & Development

Abstract

Detection of Mycotoxins in Aquaculture Feed Ingredients Using a Rapid FT-NIR Method

Sofia Vardali*, Christina Papadouli, Myrto Maniaki, Theodoros Karatzinos, George Rigos, Ioannis Nengas, Panagiota Panagiotaki and Eleni Golomazou*

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by different types of fungi. They are frequently present in fish feed ingredients and may negatively impact fish farming operations.

In this study aquafeed ingredients collected from suppliers in Greece were spectrally analyzed with Fourier-transform Near Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-NIR). Mycotoxin concentration was indirectly estimated by measuring the spectral absorption from organic compounds present in the samples.

In the examined samples, Fumonisin B1 (FB1), Fumonisin B2 (FB2), Zearalenone (ZEN), and Deoxynivalenol (DON) were measured as the predominant mycotoxins, whereas Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and Ochratoxin A (OTA) were not detected. Notably, all mycotoxin concentrations in aquafeed ingredients remained well below the Maximum Permitted Limits (MPL), affirming the safety of aquaculture feeds used in Greece in compliance with the relevant legislation.

This underscores the importance of continuous monitoring of fish feed ingredients, given the presence of mycotoxins at low concentrations that may pose a threat to animal health. Moreover, the application of FT-NIR confirms that it is a valuable analytical tool for contaminant detection, offering distinct advantages compared to traditional analytical methods, including speed, cost-effectiveness, safety, and simultaneous analysis of multiple parameters.

Published Date: 2024-01-05; Received Date: 2023-12-06