MINAHEALTH

MINAHEALTH: Prevention of Mycotoxicoses in Aquaculture with Modified Clinoptilolites

Rapid growth of aquaculture to satisfy global seafood demand is also increasing needs for feedstuff used in production. Increased consumer awareness about sustainable growth, good animal health and welfare is a high priority for developed countries, while at the same time, rising costs of feed and risks of disease outbreaks are impeding needed growth. In an effort to provide sufficient quality and quantity of feedstuff sustainably, the producers turn to increased use of plant-based protein sources in aqua feeds.                                                 

However, due to production and storage practices, major sources of plant-based protein (soybeans, wheat, cereal grains, corn, etc.) are frequently contaminated with multiple mycotoxins. Furthermore, in areas of the world where aquaculture growth is most prominent such as South-east Asia and Africa, the climate conditions and crop production practices pose increased risk of mycotoxin contamination.                                                   

In low-income economies, this increased risk is also coupled with reduced capacity to detect and control the input of mycotoxin-contaminated feedstuff into the food chain.

Finally, consumption of aquacultured seafood is an increasingly globalized habit, causing that developed countries commonly import over half of their seafood as higher quality product, leaving local consumers with “leftover” products, frequently produced under decreased health and welfare standards, including less concern about the use of mycotoxin contaminated feed.Therefore, the introduction of mycotoxin-contaminated feed is becoming a growing problem in aquaculture production worldwide.

Our goal in MINAHEALTH project is to evaluate safety and efficacy of a recently developed commercial product Minazel-Plus® and its use as feed additive in aquaculture. Organically modified clinoptilolite proved its role as highly efficient multi-mycotoxin absorber  in terrestrial animal agriculture settings.

However, only limited information is available about effects of Minazel-Plus® in aquatic animals. Therefore, we engaged a network of researchers to evaluate this product in both laboratory and industry conditions across the globe, with studies taking place in Germany (Prof. Palić), Egypt (Prof. Zahran) , Thailand (Prof. Chansue), Turkey (Prof. Genc)  and Serbia (Prof. Markovic) .                                    

We use a variety of commercially cultured species: pacific white-legged shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata); and model organisms such as fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) and zebrafish (Danio rerio). We utilize various methodologies and endpoints to assure safety and support efficacy claims with solid scientific evidence, while minimizing live animal use.

Since 2014, multiple studies at LMU and in partner institutions were conducted in different species. These studies have unequivocally supported safety of the organically modified clinoptilolites when used as feed additives with at least twice the recommended dosage (up to 4 Kg/ton of feed). Apparent health benefits of its use are reflected in improvement of production parameters , prevention of detrimental mycotoxin consequences and immunomodulatory effects .

Several veterinary, master, and doctoral students contribute to the studies above, including Ms Wanvisa Hussein, Mr Phichanont Chiyansuvata; Mr Nemanja Todorovic, Mr Ahmed El-Sebaey, and others.