In this study Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), ochratoxin A (OTA) and zearalenone (ZEN) occurrence in fish feed, regarding its chemical composition, were investigated. Besides, AFB₁ bioaccessibility to fish was evaluated by in vitro digestion. Mycotoxins were extracted by QuEChERS and quantified by HPLC-FLD. Results showed that 93.3% of the samples were contaminated at maximum levels of 16.5, 31.6, and 322 µg/kg in the cases of AFB₁, OTA, and ZEN, respectively. A positive correlation between OTA, ZEN contamination, and lipid content was observed. Risk estimation of feed consumption by fish at the highest levels of AFB₁, OTA, and ZEN shows that the younger the fish, the higher the risk of exposure to mycotoxins. The AFB₁ bioaccessibility assay showed that 85% of this mycotoxin may be absorbed by fish. Therefore, establishing maximum levels in the fishing sector is fundamental to contribute to feed quality and nutritional safety of fish species.

Aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) and aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) were determined in 51 milk powder samples purchased from different grocery stores located in the Caribbean region of Colombia. Analysis was conducted using QuEChERS extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Results from the analytical method showed recovery ranges from 65% to 110% and relative standard deviations lower than 20%. AFM₁ was detected in 100% of the milk samples (0.20–1.19 µg/kg) and 55% exceeded the maximum level in milk (0.5 µg/kg) set by the Colombian and European regulations. AFB₁ was not detected in any of the analysed samples. Considering the measured contamination the maximum AFM₁ level that can be ingested by consumption of milk powder is 0.007–0.013 µg/person/day. These values are above the average dietary intake estimated in Latin America according to the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee, which is 0.0035 µg/person/day.

The study gathered publications from 2003 to 2018 reporting the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in samples of milk and milk products from Latin America. Results showed that in 3547 milk and 969 dairy samples, the percentage of incidence and concentration levels for AFM1 were of 67% and 0.001–23.10 μg/kg for milk and 63% and 0.001–18.12 μg/kg for dairy products, respectively. In addition, the highest estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of AFM1 were obtained for Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Mexico (2.4, 1.0, 1.2 and 20.9 ng/kg bw/day, respectively). However, all average DI values calculated for the analyzed studies reported in the period of 15 years for the countries of Latin America were above that calculated by Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee for Latin American countries (0.058 ng/kg bw/day).

Com a intensificação produtiva da piscicultura, a substituição parcial ou total da farinha de peixe por ingredientes de origem vegetal tornou-se realidade na indústria de ração, com o objetivo de reduzir custos. No entanto, essa prática aumentou o impacto da contaminação por micotoxinas. Estudos demonstraram que as micotoxinas podem induzir vários distúrbios em peixes, como alterações celulares e orgânicas, além de prejudicar o desenvolvimento funcional e morfológico e, em casos mais graves, a mortalidade. Assim, estudos foram realizados para avaliar e desenvolver estratégias para prevenir a formação de micotoxinas, bem como para induzir sua eliminação, inativação ou redução de sua disponibilidade em alimentos para animais.