Citation:Pietsch, C., Müller, G., Mourabit, S., Carnal, S., & Bandara, K., 2020. Occurrence of Fungi and Fungal Toxins in Fish Feed during Storage. Toxins 12, 171. https://doi.org/10.3390/ toxins 12030171
Date:2020
Abstract:
Periods of unfavorable storing conditions can lead to changes in the quality of fish feeds, as
well as the development of relevant mycotoxins. In the present study, a commercial fish feed was
stored under defined conditions for four weeks. The main findings indicate that even storing fish
feeds under unsuitable conditions for a short duration leads to a deterioration in quality. Mycotoxin
and fungal contamination were subsequently analyzed. These investigations confirmed that di erent
storage conditions can influence the presence of fungi and mycotoxins on fish feed. Notably, ochratoxin
A (OTA) was found in samples after warm (25 C) and humid (>60% relative humidity) treatment.
This confirms the importance of this compound as a typical contaminant of fish feed and reveals how
fast this mycotoxin can be formed in fish feed during storage.