Aflatoxin contamination in shrimp feed and effects of aflatoxin addition to feed on shrimp production.

One hundred fifty samples of shrimp feed were collected from the eastern and southern regions of Thailand, and aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2) in them were analyzed. AFB1 contamination ranged from a nondetectable level (< 0.003 ppb) to 0.651 ppb. Metabolites of AFB1 were less abundant than AFB1. To study the effects of aflatoxin in feed on shrimp production, black tiger shrimp were divided into four groups of 30 shrimp per group, tested in triplicate, and fed diets containing 0 (control), 5, 10, or 20 ppb of AFB1 for 10 consecutive days. After 7 or 10 days of consumption on each diet, the shrimp were weighed and sacrificed for laboratory examination. AFB1 and its metabolites were not detected in shrimp muscle. The mortality rate was slightly higher in the AFB1-treated groups than in the control group. The body weight of the surviving shrimp was decreased to 46 to 59% of the initial body weight in the AFB1-treated groups but not in the control group. Histopathological findings indicated hepatopancreatic damage by AFB1 with biochemical changes of the hemolymph. These results show that aflatoxin contamination in shrimp feed may cause economic losses by lowering the production of shrimp. Feed contaminated at the level of 20 ppb or lower (i.e., at the observed natural contamination level) may pose a very low risk, if any, to human health.