Mycotoxins in aquafeeds: the impact on rainbow trout

Samenvatting

Mycotoxins are feed contaminants produced by certain species of fungi on crops and stored commodities used as ingredients or feed for animals. These contaminants are well-known in the livestock industry and their effects such as feed refusal, weight loss and immune suppression have been well-investigated in terrestrial farm animals. Only lately, because the inclusion and variety of plant-based ingredients in fish feeds are increasing, there is a growing awareness of mycotoxin contamination in the aquaculture industry.

This thesis explored the impact of mycotoxins on the performance and health of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in aquaculture. First, a survey assessed mycotoxin contamination patterns in feed ingredients and aquafeeds. Based on the survey results, deoxynivalenol (DON) was selected as the toxin of interest for this thesis. Secondly, a series of three in vivo studies were set up to investigate the effects of DON in rainbow trout and assessed if DON effects would change with potential co-factors (e.g., time, diet composition, and co-exposure to other toxins).