The protective effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the growth performance, intestinal health, and antioxidative capacity of mullet (Liza ramada) fed diets contaminated with aflatoxin B-1

Plant protein ingredients are increasingly included in mullet feeds and are expected to be contaminated with mycotoxins (AFB(1)). Thus, this study investigated the protective role of Saccharomyces cerevisiae against oxidative stress and hepato-renal malfunction induced by AFB(1) contamination in mullets. Four diets were formulated, where the first was kept as the control diet, and the second was supplemented with S. cerevisiae at 5 x 10(6) cells/g. The third diet was supplied with AFB(1) at 1 mg/kg, and the fourth was supplemented with S. cerevisiae and AFB(1). Mullet fed the control or both AFB(1) and S. cerevisiae (yeast/AFB(1)) had similar FBW, WG, SGR, and FCR (P > 0.05). Mullet treated with S. cerevisiae without AFB(1) contamination showed the highest FBW, WG, and SGR (P < 0.05), while fish in the AFB(1) group had lower FBW, WG, and SGR and higher FCR than fish in the control and yeast/AFB(1) groups (P < 0.05). Using yeast with AFB(1) prevented pathological hazards and improved intestinal structure. Further, yeast combined with AFB(1) reduced the degenerative changes and enhanced the histological structure except for a mild inflammatory reaction around the bile duct. Fish in the control or yeast/AFB(1) group had higher HB, PCV, RBCs, and WBCs than fish in the AFB(1) group (P < 0.05). Fish fed the control, or the yeast/AFB(1) diets had similar total protein and albumin levels with higher values than fish contaminated with AFB(1) (P < 0.05). Fish fed the control and yeast/AFB(1) diets had similar ALT, AST, urea, and creatinine levels (P > 0.05) and were lower than fish contaminated with AFB(1). Additionally, fish fed the control and yeast/AFB(1) diets had similar CAT, GPx, SOD, and MDA (P > 0.05) and were lower than fish contaminated with AFB(1) (P < 0.05). In conclusion, incorporating S. cerevisiae ameliorated the negative impacts of AFB(1) toxicity on mullets' growth, hepato-renal function, and antioxidative capacity.