Aflatoxin B1 contamination of shrimp feeds and its effect on growth and hepatopancreas of pre‐adult Penaeus monodon

Abstract A survey of aflatoxin B1 (AFLB1) levels in commonly used commercial shrimp finisher feeds in the Philippines showed a various range of values from not detected to 120 μg kg−1 using high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography. Six experimental diets were prepared to contain various levels of AFLB1 based on survey results to determine the effects of such contamination in pre‐adult shrimp Penaeus monodon (17.5 ± 0.6 g). Results showed that shrimps fed diets containing AFLB1 greater than or equal to 73.8 μg kg−1 gave comparatively poor growth rate and higher susceptibility to shell diseases. No AFLB1 residues were detected in sampled whole shrimp tissues after 62 days of exposure to AFLB1 containing diets indicating a low potential for transmission of the toxin from edible shrimp tissues to consumers. Histopathological alterations in the hepatopancreas of shrimp chronically exposed to AFLB, were observed in all samples. The degree of alterations correlated with the level of AFLB1. Based on growth performance, pre‐adult shrimps can tolerate AFLB1 levels of up to 52.3 μg kg−1 in the feeds although histopathological changes were already evident in the tissues of shrimps given diets with 26.5 μg kg−1 AFLB1.