phytogenics as a safe and promising tool to manage aflatoxicosis in aquatic animals

Mycotoxins are secondary toxic metabolites of fungi that usually contaminate agricultural crops and their products (1). aflatoxins are fungal toxins that are produced by aspergillus species. due to global climate change and warming, mycotoxin-producing fungi are frequent. aflatoxin b1 is the most important fungal toxin in terms of occurrence and toxicity. the toxin is classified as group i carcinogen by the international agency for research on cancer. aflatoxin b1 causes liver damage, immune system suppression and affects animal growth and reproduction with subsequent reduction in livestock and aquatic animal performance. there are various strategies to control/ manage mycotoxin contamination of food/feed usually with limited efficacy (2). the use of medicinal plants is considered as safe, affordable and complementary biological method for the management of aflatoxins toxicity in animals. the phytogenics have anti-mutagenic, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and anti-carcinogens properties that reduce genotoxic effects of mycotoxins (3). medicinal plants improve body immune competence and increase animal resistance/resilience against stressful conditions.