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Society is becoming more demanding with aquaculture's environmental footprint and animal wellbeing. In order to potentially mitigate these concerns, feed formulations could be based on eco-efficient (circular economy-driven) or organic ingredients. This study aimed to investigate the growth performance, feed utilization, and health status of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) when fed with such feeds. The growth trial lasted for 8 weeks, and fish had an initial weight of 31.0 ± 0.5 g (mean ± SD). Fish were fed until visual satiation, in quadruplicate, with one of three isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental feeds: a commercial-like feed without fishmeal (PD), a diet based on ingredients compatible with organic certification (ORG), or a feed formulated using circular economy-driven subproducts and emergent ingredients (ECO). Fish fed ECO showed a tendency for decreased feed intake, while ORG fish significantly reduced their intake compared to those fed PD. Consequently, fish fed ECO (62.7 ± 5.4 g) exhibited almost half the growth than those fed PD (107.8 ± 6.1 g), while ORG fish almost did not increase their weight (32.7 ± 1.3 g). ECO and ORG diets had a lower digestibility for protein, lipid, and energy when compared to PD. Feed utilization of fish fed ECO or ORG was also lower than those fed PD. From the health-related genes analyzed, only glutathione reductase (gsr) showed statistically significant differences, being more expressed in fish-fed ECO than those fed PD. Thus, even when such novel formulations induced extreme effects on voluntary feed intake, their impact was noted only in fish growth, but not in robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Fish meal (FM) is considered the primary protein source in fish feed, but the most expensive ingredient, which ultimately increases feed cost. Application of a substitute for FM in fish feed can lower feed cost, but it commonly leads to reduced palatability and lowered feed consumption of fish. Jack mackerel meal (JMM) has been reported to be an effective attractant and/or stimulant in the olive flounder diet. This study revealed that inclusion of 50% jack mackerel meal (JMM) at the expense of FM in the olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) diet replacing 50% FM with duck by-product meal (DBM) lowered feed cost, but improved feed consumption and growth performance and economic return to the farmer. The results of this study will help olive flounder producers to improve their profitability. This experiment was performed to evaluate the inclusion impact of various levels of jack mackerel meal (JMM) in olive flounder (P. olivaceus) feeds substituting 50% FM by duck by-product meal (DBM) on growth, feed availability, and economic efficiency. Seven experimental diets were prepared. The control (Con) diet contained 60% FM. Fifty percent FM in the Con diet was substituted with DBM, and then the graded levels (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%) of JMM were added instead of FM, named the DJ0, DJ10, DJ20, DJ30, DJ40, and DJ50 diets, respectively. All feeds were assigned to triplicate fish groups. At the end of 56 days' feeding, fish fed the DJ40 and DJ50 diets exhibited comparable weight gain and specific growth rate to fish fed the Con diet. Higher feed consumption was observed in fish fed the Con, DJ40, and DJ50 diets compared to fish fed the DJ0 and DJ10 diets. Lower feed conversion ratio was observed in fish fed the Con diet compared to fish fed the DJ0, DJ10, DJ20, and DJ30 diets. Furthermore, the DJ50 diet led to the highest economic profit index (EPI). In conclusion, inclusion of 50% JMM in the olive flounder diet replacing 50% FM with DBM seems to be the most recommendable dietary treatment based on growth and feed consumption of olive flounder and EPI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main cost in aquaculture production is feed, so management practices and feeding strategies aim to optimize both feed intake and efficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the growth performance of beluga, Huso huso, affected by periodic changes in dietary protein sources and hence identify possible innovative feeding strategies toward more efficient use of dietary protein. This study was designed with two experimental diets, namely fish meal (diet A) and plant protein blend (diet B) (protein 40%, fat 16%), which were used in different food schedules for feeding beluga (initial weight 82.08 ± 4.1 g) during 8 weeks. The experimental treatments included: continuously feeding a fish meal diet (A); continuously feeding a plant protein diet (B); alternating between diet A in the morning and diet B in the afternoon (A am/B pm); alternating between diet B in the morning and diet A in the afternoon (B am/A pm); and alternating between diet A for one day and diet B for one day (1A/1B). At the end of the eight‐week trial, superior growth performance and feed utilization were respectively observed in fish receiving A, Bam/Apm, and Aam/Bpm diets compared with the remaining treatments. The specific activity of trypsin and chymotrypsin was significantly high in fish fed Aam/Bpm and Bam/Apm. Feeding the fish‐meal‐based diet (A) continuously, led to decreased protein and increased fat deposition in the carcass. Among the mixed feeding schedules, the highest cost‐saving was recorded with the Aam/Bpm and Bam/Apm schedules. Based on economic analysis, applying Aam/Bpm and Bam/Apm schedules led to the reduced cost of beluga production compared with the other treatments. Therefore, the optimal feeding schedules for beluga are Aam/Bpm and Bam/Apm, which should be used as a practical feeding guideline for H. huso production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In aquaculture, fishmeal is consumed in large quantities. Utilizing non-fishmeal protein sources to replace fishmeal in aquaculture feed and developing low-fishmeal feed has become a hot topic in current aquaculture industry research and development. However, non-fishmeal protein sources contain some anti-nutritional factors that can affect the application of low-fishmeal feed and to some extent, restrict the development of low-fishmeal feed. Adding exogenous enzyme preparations to low-fishmeal feed can effectively improve the digestibility of low-fishmeal and degrade the antinutritional substances in non-fishmeal protein sources, thereby enhancing the feeding value of low-fishmeal feed. The article analyzes the application value of feed enzyme preparations in aquaculture feed and reviews their application effects in low-fishmeal aquaculture feed, aiming to provide references for the efficient development of low-fishmeal feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaculture contributes to the sustainable development of food security, marine resource conservation, and economy. Shifting aquaculture feed from fish meal and oil to terrestrial plant derivatives may result in cost savings. However, many carnivorous fish cannot be sustained on plant-derived materials, necessitating the need for the identification of important factors for farmed fish growth and the identification of whether components derived from terrestrial plants can be used in feed. Herein, we focused on the carnivorous fish leopard coral grouper (P. leopardus) to identify the essential growth factors and clarify their intake timing from feeds. Furthermore, we evaluated the functionality of starch, which are easily produced by terrestrial plants. Results reveal that carbohydrates, which are not considered essential for carnivorous fish, can be introduced as a major part of an artificial diet. The development of artificial feed using starch offers the possibility of increasing the growth of carnivorous fish in aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquafarms should reduce the use of fishmeal and fish oil in nutritional feed. One such accessible and relatively inexpensive food component that could successfully meet the challenge posed by aquaculture is algae. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the algae meal inclusion of Chlorella and Spirulina sp. in a diet for rainbow trout, evaluating its effects on fish growth, histological parameters and fillet quality. Experiments were carried out to replace 50% and 100% of fishmeal with Spirulina sp. and Chlorella vulgaris in feed for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss W.) cultured in a recirculation system. At the end of the experimental period, the highest mean live weight was measured in rainbow trout fed a feed containing 50% algal meal in the feed. The absorptive vacuolization of cells was increased the most and lamina propria was average thickened when fed 50% algae diets. Fat droplets in the hepatocytes were larger in the 50% algae meal fed group, and their nuclei were replaced in the peripheral zone of the cells. Substitution of fishmeal with 50% algal meal in fish feed resulted in a 36.44% reduction in the lipid content of rainbow trout fillets compared to control fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has focused on alternative plant materials or additives that can be used instead of fish meal due to limited stocks and increased feed prices, although it is important for carnivorous fish species. Taurine is a functional amino acid supplemented to low fish meal diets to improve the growth performance of fish. In this study, eight experimental diets with 0%, 0.5%, 1% and 2% ratios of taurine supplemented (T0, T0.5, T1 and T2) high (HFM) and low fish meal (LFM) diets were prepared (defined as HFMT0, HFMT0.5, HFMT1, HFMT2, LFMT0, LFMT0.5, LFMT1 and LFMT2). The experiment was carried out in twenty-four 400 L rectangular fiberglass tanks conducted in a marine water system, and fish (initial mean weight of 23.5 g) were stocked in each tank. The nutrition trial was carried out for 90 days with three replicates. Meagre fed with the HFMT1 diet had a higher final mean weight (FMW) and specific growth rate (SGR) than fish fed with HFMT0 and all LFM diets. Including taurine in all LFM diets also enhanced growth performance. The FMW and SGR of fish fed the LFMT0.5 diet were similar when compared to HFMT0 (P>0.05) and increased compared to that of other LFM diets with taurine (P<0.05). Meagre fed the LFM0.5 diet had a lower feed conversion rate (FCR) than those provided for all HFM diets, although there was no significant difference between treatments. Dietary taurine has decreased the hepatosomatic index (HSI), viscerosomatic index (VSI) and total ammonia-nitrogen excretion (TAN), irrespective of taurine and fish meal levels. Including dietary taurine at both fish meal levels enhances the number of red blood cells (RBC) and whole-body amino acids of meagre. The most remarkable conclusion of this study is the inclusion of taurine in low fish meal diets improved growth performance and profitability in meagre, and the level of 0.5% has been recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Simple Summary: Protein ingredients play a significant role in pet food and have been brought into focus by pet owners, which drives up the annual cost of protein sources for the pet food industry. Protein resources are a crucial part of human food. However, there is a global shortage of protein-rich food, particularly animal protein. Researching the nutritional value and metabolic properties of various protein sources is essential for the pet food industry to make environmentally sustainable pet food. Using the beagles as the model animal and the difference method, we evaluated the energy value of six protein ingredients, including fish meal, meat and bone meal, corn gluten meal, soybean meal, mealworm meal, and yeast extract, and compared the effects on biological potency. There is a correlation between the chemical composition and the effective energy of protein ingredients. This study also provided recommended predictive energy equations for protein ingredients in dog food. This study evaluated the nutrition composition, the nutrient digestibility, and the energy value of six protein ingredients used in pet food by the difference method in six beagles within a 7 × 6 incomplete Latin square design. The results showed that the apparent total tract digestibility of gross energy (GE) and organic matter (OM) in beagles fed the fish meal (FM) and corn gluten meal (CGM) diets was higher than for those fed the meat and bone meal (MBM), soybean meal (SBM), mealworm meal (MM), and yeast extract (YE) diets (p < 0.05). The digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), and net energy (NE) of the MM diet were greater than the other diets, and MBM was the lowest (p < 0.05). The ME of protein ingredients was positively correlated with organic matter and negatively correlated with the ash content. The NE of protein ingredients was positively correlated with the crude protein content and negatively correlated with the ash content. The study resulted in predictive energy equations for protein ingredients that were more accurate than the NRC's predictive equation of ME when the ash content of the ingredient was more than 30% DM. In conclusion, the nutrient digestibility and energy value of corn gluten meal were similar to those of fish meal and those of soybean meal were similar to yeast extract. All predictive energy equations for six protein feedstuffs had slight differences with measured energy values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using stable isotope analysis, we assessed the relative contributions of the main protein contributors fishmeal, soya and sunflower meal to mature abalone muscle and gonad tissue over 1 year. Prerequisites for the use of stable isotope mixing models were established in this species. The δ13C and δ15N discrimination factors and turnover rates were influenced by diet composition, and there were tissue‐specific and sex‐specific differences. Abalone were fed the two combination diets (fishmeal–soya and fishmeal–sunflower meal) grew at similar rates. However, feed was most efficiently utilised in abalone fed a combination of fishmeal and soya. The relative contribution of fishmeal, soya and sunflower meal to female and male abalone tissue growth fluctuated throughout the 1‐year study. Overall, fishmeal contributed over 50% of the gonad (54%–82%) and muscle (54%–84%) tissue growth in females. Similarly, fishmeal contributed over 50% of gonad tissue growth of male abalone, ranging from 59% to 87%, while the contribution to meat tissue growth in males ranged from 44% to 94%. These findings support the importance of laboratory studies when using stable isotope analysis and mixing models for nutrient allocation in aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The United Nations' goals for sustainability, like Zero Hunger by 2030, urge us to find new ways to produce food without harming nature. As traditional resources for feed, like soymeal and fishmeal, become scarcer and more expensive, exploring alternative protein sources is one options. Research on using insect meal instead of fishmeal shows promise in terms of animal growth and feed efficiency. This paper assesses the socio-economic benefits and costs of production of insect meal to substitute fishmeal in feed, while also focusing on factors that would affect performance most. The study evaluates the economic value of insect-based products, waste, and greenhouse gas reduction as socio-economic benefits. Data from laboratory trials and case studies on black soldier fly and yellow mealworm reveal negative balances of socio-economic benefits and costs; however, it is possible that upscaling and more effective technologies could move this positively. Changes in nutrient market values could also shift the balance as well as prevent impact on marine ecosystems from reduction fishery; this was not evaluated but could contribute to the overall outcome. Thus, although the current assessment shows a negative balance, it does not necessarily mean that the production of insect meal for feed is not beneficial for society in the long term. Sustainability targets set by the United Nations, such as Zero Hunger by 2030, encourage the search for innovative solutions to enhance food production while preserving the environment. Alternative protein sources for feed, while conventional resources like soymeal and fishmeal become more expensive and scarcer, is one of the possibilities. Studies on substituting fishmeal with insect meal show promising results in terms of animal growth and feed efficiency. This paper aims to assess the socio-economic benefits and costs of insect meal substituting fishmeal in feed and to highlight the factors influencing performance most. The study evaluates the economic value of insect-based products, waste reduction, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions as socio-economic benefits. It combines empirical data derived from laboratory trials and two case studies covering black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) and yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor). Current analyses reveal negative socio-economic balances, emphasizing that reduction of operating and investment costs through upscaling and technological advancements can give a positive move, as well as factors such as current market valuations for nutrients can change significantly. Thus, a negative balance at the moment does not mean that insect rearing, and larva processing are not desirable from a long-term socio-economic perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Fish meal is commonly used as the main protein source in fish feeds, but its high price has restricted the use of fish meal. Thus, looking for a substitute with an inexpensive and sustainable source for fish meal in fish feeds is highly needed. Nevertheless, replacement of fish meal with an alternative source in fish feeds commonly reduces the palatability of diets, leads to reduced feed intake, and lowers growth performance. Our previous study reported that up to 20% of fish meal could be substitutable with chicken by-product meal in the feed of rockfish without deteriorating their growth and feed intake. This study evaluates the impact on growth and feed availability from including jack mackerel meal in rockfish diets which otherwise replace 20% fish meal with chicken by-product meal. With fish fed a 55% fish-meal-based diet, the inclusion of 60 and 80% jack mackerel meal in low-fish-meal diets achieved superior weight gain, specific growth rate, and feed consumption. Furthermore, compared to an 80% inclusion level, the slightly but not significantly higher economic profit index was obtained in rockfish fed the low-fish-meal diet with 60% jack mackerel meal in diets. Therefore, the manipulation of jack mackerel meal as feed enhancer in the low-fish-meal diet, which otherwise replaces 20% fish meal with chicken by-product meal, could improve the growth performance and feed consumption of rockfish. This study was conducted to elucidate the impact on the growth and feed availability of rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli) from including jack mackerel meal (JMM) in feeds which otherwise substitute 20% fish meal (FM) with chicken by-product meal (CBM). Six formulated feeds were designed to be isonitrogenous and isolipidic. Specifically, 55% FM was included in the control (Con) diet. In the Con diet, 20% FM was substituted by CBM, and then the graded levels (0, 20, 40, 60, and 80%) of JMM were included instead of FM, named as the C20J0, C20J20, C20J40, C20J60, and C20J80 diets, respectively. Five hundred and forty juvenile rockfish (initial weight of 11.2 g) were assigned to 18 tanks. All experimental feeds were fed to triplicate groups of rockfish twice daily for 8 weeks. Superior weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), and feed intake of rockfish fed the C20J60 and C20J80 diets compared to rockfish fed the Con and C20J0 diets were observed. However, the feed utilization, biological indices, proximate composition, amino acid profiles, and blood chemistry of the rockfish were not affected by the dietary treatments. The slightly but not significantly higher economic profit index and growth performance were obtained in the C20J60 diet compared to the C20J80 diet. In conclusion, the C20J60 diet was the most recommendable treatment based on the improvement in growth performance (weight gain and SGR) and feed intake of rockfish, and the highest economic return to farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intestinal barrier is a dynamic interface between the body and the ingested food components, however, dietary components or xenobiotics could compromise intestinal integrity, causing health risks to the host. Gossypol, a toxic component in cottonseed meal (CSM), caused intestinal injury in fish or other monogastric animals. It has been demonstrated that probiotics administration benefits the intestinal barrier integrity, but the efficacy of probiotics in maintaining intestinal health when the host is exposed to gossypol remains unclear. Here, a strain (YC) affiliated to Pediococcus pentosaceus was isolated from the gut of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and its potential to repair gossypol-induced intestinal damage was evaluated. Results: A total of 270 Nile tilapia (2.20 ± 0.02 g) were allotted in 3 groups with 3 tanks each and fed with 3 diets including CON (control diet), GOS (control diet containing 300 mg/kg gossypol) and GP (control diet containing 300 mg/kg gossypol and 108 colony-forming unit (CFU)/g P. pentosaceus YC), respectively. After 10 weeks, addition of P. pentosaceus YC restored growth retardation and intestinal injury induced by gossypol in Nile tilapia. Transcriptome analysis and siRNA interference experiments demonstrated that NOD-like receptors (NLR) family caspase recruitment domain (CARD) domain containing 3 (Nlrc3) inhibition might promote intestinal stem cell (ISC) proliferation, as well as maintaining gut barrier integrity. 16S rRNA sequencing and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed that addition of P. pentosaceus YC altered the composition of gut microbiota and increased the content of propionate in fish gut. In vitro studies on propionate's function demonstrated that it suppressed nlrc3 expression and promoted wound healing in Caco-2 cell model. Conclusions: The present study reveals that P. pentosaceus YC has the capacity to ameliorate intestinal barrier injury by modulating gut microbiota composition and elevating propionate level. This finding offers a promising strategy for the feed industry to incorporate cottonseed meal into fish feed formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last 500 years, Europe (excluding Russia) consumed over 2500 million tonnes of ocean biomass. This is based on detailed historical data that we provide for human consumption per capita which was stable from 1500 to 1899 and tripled in the twentieth century. In the last 300 years, cod and herring dominated human seafood consumption. Whaling for non-food uses peaked in the 1830s and declined as cetaceans became scarce. Seafood consumption increased rapidly after 1900, and by the late 1930s, annual marine consumption in Atlantic Europe reached 7 million tonnes of biomass, facilitated by the globalisation of whaling. Atlantic European consumption, including fishmeal for animal feed, peaked at more than 12 million tonnes annually in the 1970s, but declined thereafter. The marine footprint of Atlantic Europe was significant well before modern fisheries statistics commenced. Our findings can inform future assessments of ocean health and marine life's importance for human society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present study aimed to determine the immune and stress responses of juvenile GIF tilapia fed with Ulva seaweed meal supplemented diet. Methods: The study was undertaken with different inclusion levels of Ulva seaweed meal (USM) such as raw (UR) and fermented (UF) Ulva meal (UR-5, UR-10, UR-15, UF-5, UF-10 and UF-15% of diet) and control feed (C) for a period of 60 days. Result: GIF tilapia fed with fermented Ulva meal at a 10% inclusion level in their diet showed the highest growth (41.43 g). Immune parameters such as catalase activity (CAT), super oxide dismutase (SOD), respiratory burst activity (RBA), myeloperoxidase activity (MPA) and serum protein value (SPV) showed significant increases in fish fed with Ulva meal incorporated diet followed by UF-5, Ulva Raw (UR) 5%, control (C), UF-15, UR-10 and UR-15 diet respectively. Decreased glucose level was recorded in GIFT fed with fermented Ulva meal at 10% inclusion level followed by UF5, UR5, control diet, UF15, UR10 and UR15 diet. Increased plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, GPx activity, GRA activity and GST activity were recorded in GIFT tilapia fed with fermented Ulva meal at 10% inclusion level followed by UF5 diet, UR5 diet, control diet, UF15 diet, UR10 diet and UR15 diet. GIFT fed with fermented Ulva meal at a 10% inclusion level in their diet exhibited the highest growth performance (41.43 g) followed by UF5 (41.07±0.43 g), UR5 (39.65±0.36 g), control (39.09±0.20 g), UF15 (38.67±0.26 g), UR10 (38.47±1.47 g) and UR15 (35.77±0.35 g) diet. GIF tilapia fed with UF10 diet showed lowest FCR (1.34±0.00), highest SGR (0.99±0.00) and PER (2.37±0.07) followed by UF5 diet, UR5 diet, control diet, UF15 diet, UR10 diet and UR15 diet. One-way ANOVA data analysis and followed by Tukey's test for conducting pair wise comparisons at significance level of 0.05. GIFT tilapia fingerlings had significant differences (P<0.05) among the different experimental diets. From the present experiment, it could be concluded that, Ulva meal incorporation at 10% in the diets increases immune responses in GIF tilapia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experimental approach was designed for analyzing the nutritional evaluation of formulated feed by replacing conventional fish meal used in fish diet with Padina gymnospora supplementation under laboratory feeding conditions for 45 days on growth indices in brackishwater euryhaline fish, Etroplus suratensis. Proximate composition of control and experimental algal formulated feed was assessed. An increase was observed in the body weight and growth indices of the experimental fishes fed with supplemented algal diets. The analysis determined better growth performance index in those fishes fed on a the formulated diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hunger affected 278 million people in Africa in 2021, and in Kenya, the proportion of the population unable to afford a healthy diet is 81%. To combat hunger and increase resilience throughout the food system, spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) has been shown to have remarkable properties. The main aim of this study is to investigate whether protein from spirulina is a suitable alternative to protein sourced from fish meal in fish feed for juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). In a trial investigating the use of spirulina biomass for fish feed on juvenile Nile tilapia, it has been proven that tilapia fingerlings fed diets with spirulina, replacing up to 30% of fish meal protein, were not affected in terms of growth performance compared to the fish fed the commercial diet. This shows that, nutritionally, protein from spirulina can replace fish meal protein fed to juvenile Nile tilapia. This offers promising opportunities for enhanced food and nutrition security. If produced affordably, spirulina can have a significant impact on the income level of low-income fish farmers in Kenya, who often spend more than 50% of their income on commercial fish feed. Affordability can be made possible if small-scale farmers can produce spirulina using animal manure that is available on the farm instead of using highly priced commercial fertilizer. The additional environmental benefits of spirulina include carbon dioxide sequestration and the removal of nitrogenous and phosphorous waste from the wastewater. Spirulina can therefore increase the sustainability of a whole food system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaculture has been one of the fastest-growing sectors in agriculture and plays an important role in supplying high quality proteins for humans. Genetic improvement for important traits is essential for increasing aquaculture production. The aquaculture of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) has become important in Southeast Asia and Australia and has expanded to other countries. In Singapore, a breeding program was initiated in 2004, aimed at improving growth rates, high omega-3 content, and disease resistance within Asian seabass populations. Many genomic resources have been developed to achieve these goals. The breeding program was established with a broodstock of 549 broodfish collected from the wilds of Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Through four generations of family-based selection, utilizing a combination of conventional selective breeding, molecular parentage analysis, marker-assisted selection, and genomic selection techniques, three distinct elite lines of Asian seabass were successfully established. Each line consisted of approximately 200 broodfish. These lines were selected for growth, higher omega-3 content, and disease resistance, respectively. These traits have been improved without dramatically reducing genetic variation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the methodologies adopted and status of the genetic improvement of the above-mentioned traits. Concurrently, certain gaps in the existing body of research have been identified. In the future, additional traits related to the ability to use feeds with reduced fishmeal, as well as adaptation to climate change and resistance against emerging diseases should be included in the breeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Fish meal is widely used as a feed ingredient in formulated feeds for marine fish species due to its high nutritional value and palatability. However, the increasing cost and limited availability of fish meal highlight the high need to look for an alternative protein source for fish meal in fish feeds to achieve sustainable aquaculture. Tuna by-product meal, derived from the tuna canning process, shows promise as a viable substitute for fish meal in fish feeds. This study aimed to investigate the effect of replacing fish meal with tuna by-product meal on the growth of red sea bream. The findings of this study suggested that 40% fish meal replacement with tuna by-product meal is viable without compromising growth, feed consumption, and feed utilization, while simultaneously providing the highest economic return for fish farmers. The effect of substituting fish meal (FM) by tuna by-product meal (TBM) on growth and feed availability of red sea bream (Pagrus major) was investigated. Six experimental diets were crested to be isonitrogenous (51.5%) and isolipidic (14.5%). The control (Con) diet contained 55% FM. FM substitution in the Con diet was made in increments of 20 percentage points (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%), named as the TBM20, TBM40, TBM60, TBM80, and TBM100 diets, respectively. Juvenile red sea bream were stocked into 18, 300 L flow-through tanks (50 fish/tank). Red sea bream were hand-fed with each diet until satiation for 8 weeks. No statistical differences in weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), and feed consumption were found among red sea bream fed the Con, TBM20, and TBM40 diets. Furthermore, feed utilization of fish fed the TBM20, TBM40, TBM60, and TBM80 diets was comparable to red sea bream fed the Con diet. The biological indices, biochemical composition, and hematological parameters of fish were not statistically altered by dietary FM replacement with TBM. The greatest economic profit index was achieved in the TBM40 diet. In conclusion, the replacement of 40% FM with TBM in red sea bream diet appears to be the most recommendable approach without producing retarded growth and feed availability, but maximizing EPI to farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Protein is needed for chicken growth, but high protein consumption causes a low protein efficiency ratio and causes feed prices to be expensive. Therefore, the immunological potential of fermented snail meat hydrolysate in local chickens was studied for feed supplements in low-protein rations to reduce costs. Materials and Methods: The research used snail meat hydrolysate resulting from submerged fermentation with starter culture from rice washing water. Using hydrolysates as a fishmeal substitute to reduce the protein content of male local chicken diets. Hydrolysate is mixed into the formulated ration: P0 = 12% fish meal in feed without hydrolysate added, P1 = 8% fish meal in feed plus 5 ml hydrolysate/kg feed; P2 = 4% fish meal in feed plus 10 ml hydrolysate/kg feed; and P3 = Feed without fish meal plus 15 ml hydrolysate/kg feed. The study used completely randomized study parameters, namely the production performance of 200 chickens and the immune system (including lymphoid organs and hematological status) of 60 chickens. Results: Snail meat hydrolysate (10 ml/kg) can replace the reduction in the use of fish meal from 12% to 4% in ration formulation without reducing production performance and has no negative effect on the immune system. Conclusion: Snail meat hydrolysate has the potential to be used as an immune antibiotic to replace the use of fishmeal in the development of low-protein dietary formulations without affecting production performance or negatively affecting the chicken's immune system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system comprising co-cultured fed fish and organic extractive species representing three distinct trophic levels as well as the impact and potential utilization of two commercially available fish feeds made up of 35% fish meal (FM) and 20% fish meal (LFM) ingredients, using a multi-indicator assessment approach. Significant alterations were observed in growth performance indicators (GPIs), water and sediment quality indices, toxicity tests and biomarkers within the IMTA system. The fish survival, weight gain (WG), and specific growth rate (SGR) were higher in the IMTA system with significantly lower feed conversion ratios (FCRs) and higher feed efficiency (FE) in comparison to the fed fish monoculture system. Yet, organic filter feeders displayed 100% survival, and increased shell growth, while deposit feeders exhibited successful survival and significant weight gain. In the comparison between FM-IMTA and LFM-IMTA, fed fish in FM-IMTA showed higher WG, SGR, and FE with lower FCR. Environmental parameters like temperature, oxygen, and nutrient concentrations fluctuated but generally improved in the IMTA system, indicating lower mesotrophic conditions. Sediment fatty acid profiles differed between systems and toxicity assessments, which suggested a lower impact in IMTA and FM-IMTA systems. The sediment microbial community displayed high similarity within IMTA systems and between FM-IMTA and LFM-IMTA. These findings underscore the potential of IMTA systems for sustainable aquaculture, emphasizing improved growth performance and reduced environmental impact, particularly when using fish meal feeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternative protein sources to replace fish meal in aquaculture feeds are continuously sought after. The fish meal industry is unsustainable, from an economic point of view and because of its impact on wild aquatic ecosystems. This review presents the use of gastropod species (class Gastropoda) in aquaculture feeds. Gastropods have been studied for their potential use in aquaculture feeds, mainly as an alternative source of protein to fish meal. Gathered studies from various databases encompass gastropods nutritional value, and their performance in rearing aquatic organisms. Fish meal replacement with meals sourced from gastropods is closely analysed in this paper. Synthesized information from this review will benefit future research on this subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish meal is commonly used as a protein source in fish feeds due to its high protein content. However, the supply of fish meal is becoming uncertain due to decreased stocks caused by climate change and overexploitation. Consequently, researchers are exploring less expensive alternatives to replace fish meal in fish feeds. This experiment aimed to determine the effects of replacing fish meal with a combination of soybean meal (SBM) and fermented fish (FF) in the diet on the growth performance and feed utilization of juvenile Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer Bloch, 1790). Six isonitrogenous (40%) and isolipidic (5%) experimental diets were formulated. Fish meal was replaced with 0% and 10% of SBM in diet 1 (D1) and diet 2 (D2), respectively. In the other four diets, FM was replaced by gradual levels of SBM and FF as follows (%SBM/%FF): 20/10, 20/20, 30/10, and 30/20 (designated as diet 3-diet 6; D3-D6). A commercial feed was used as a comparative diet (D7). Fish, with an initial weight of 3.32-3.33 g, were fed twice daily until satiation for 90 days. The final body weight (FBW), specific growth rate (SGR), and feed intake (FI) of fish fed D1 were significantly difference (p<0.05) but did not significantly differ from those of fish fed D2 and D3. Similarly, the FBW, SGR, and FI of fish fed D3 were not significantly different from those of fish fed D7. In conclusion, fish meal can be replaced by a combination of 20% SBM and 10% FF in the diet for juvenile Asian seabass without any adverse effects on growth performance, body indices and feed utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aquaculture industry is looking for sustainable alternatives to conventional fish meals in fish feed, and insect-based meals are proving to be a promising solution. These meals are nutritionally optimal as they have a high protein content and an ideal amino acid profile. However, the presence of chitin, a component of the insect exoskeleton in these meals presents both an opportunity and a challenge. Chitosan, a derivative of chitin, is known to improve the physiological functions of fish, including growth, immunity, and disease resistance. While chitin and its derivative chitosan offer several physiological benefits, their presence can affect the digestibility of feed in some fish species, making the inclusion of insect-based meals in aquafeeds complex. While studies suggest positive effects, some problems, such as reduced growth rates in certain species, emphasize the need for further research on chitin digestion in fish. Chitinase, an enzyme that breaks down chitin, is being investigated as a potential solution to improve the nutritional value of insect meals in aquafeed. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the applications, benefits, and challenges of using chitinase in aquaculture, highlighting the enzyme's role in improving feed digestibility, disease control, and environmental sustainability. Extensive research is required to fully understand the potential of chitinase enzymes in aquaculture and to optimize their applications in this dynamic field. Overall, this review provides insight into the evolving landscape of insect-based meals and the applications of chitinase enzymes within sustainable aquaculture practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The objective of this research is to investigate the impact of different hydrolysis (chemical, enzymatic and microbiological) methods of Bigeye tuna waste (Thunnus obesus) on yield, degree of hydrolysis (DH), chemical composition, amino acid profile, functional properties and microbial quality of FPH produced. The enzymatic technique produced the highest yield (11.04%) and the greatest DH (39.04%) while it gave the lowest average peptide chain length (2.56) (P < 0.05). Also, protein and fat (76.37% and 10.82%, respectively) were the highest in the enzymatic hydrolyzed fish (FPH‐E) followed by microbial fermentation (FPH‐M) (P < 0.05). In FPH‐E, FPH‐M and chemical fish protein hydrolysates (FPH‐C), the essential to non‐essential amino acid ratios were 2.43, 1.79 and 0.51, respectively. They also had good functional properties, although they were less than FPH‐C in terms of water binding capacity (3.47 and 4.18 g g−1), oil binding capacity (9.84 and 7.38 g g−1) and foaming capacity (25% and 30%, respectively), and their foam stability rate was high. All FPHs products had a low range of microbial counts, with the FPH‐M exhibiting the greatest total count of bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and moulds and yeasts. Therefore, the biologically extracted FPH especially FPH‐E has the best compositions and qualities, making them an alternative ingredient for fish meal in fish feed formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) is a novel plant protein source that has been developed using advanced cottonseed processing technology. It was extensively utilized as a replacement for fish meal in feed within the aquaculture industry. However, there was limited research on using CPC as a protein source to replace soybean meal in broiler diets. This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of the chemical and amino acid composition of CPC, and assessed its protein and amino acid digestibility, metabolizable energy value, and net energy value in the broiler chickens. Additionally, the experiment examined the effects of replacing 25% and 50% of soybean meal in feed with CPC on the growth performance, blood parameters, antioxidant capacity, and immunoglobulin content of broiler chickens. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential use of CPC as a substitute for soybean meal in broiler feed formulation. Cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) has the function of replacing soybean meal to maintain normal animal growth and development. This study involved 180 Arbor Acres (AA) broilers, which were randomly assigned to three different treatments. Each treatment had six replicates, with each replicate consisting of 10 chicks. The control group was fed a basal diet, while the CPC-1 and CPC-2 groups used CPC to replace 25% and 50% of the soybean meal in the basal diet, respectively. The study showed that replacing soybean meal with 25% CPC in broilers' diets can maintain normal growth, while substituting 50% of soybean meal with CPC negatively affects the growth and development of broiler chickens. Furthermore, the CPC-1 group showed a significant increase in serum total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase enzyme activity, and immunoglobulin content, along with a decrease in malondialdehyde content. Based on the research results mentioned above, it was speculated that CPC has the potential to replace around 25% of soybean meal in broiler feed without causing any negative impact on growth performance. This suggests that CPC could be a viable alternative to soybean meal in broiler diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, insect meal has attracted increasing interest as an innovative protein source to replace fish meal in feed formulations due to its valuable nutritional profile. This research aimed to compare the effects of different levels of dietary inclusion of the yellow mealworm beetle (T. molitor) larvae meal on the sensory quality of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillets and retrospectively on the acceptability of this protein source to consumers. The results showed that the inclusion of T. molitor larvae meal did not induce sensory changes in the trout fillets, while regarding consumer acceptability and willingness to buy and pay, it was shown that a certain level of rejection towards this alternative protein still exists. The work described in this scientific manuscript adds more knowledge on the study of consumer acceptability of this protein source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aquaculture industry's insatiable demand for fishmeal has led to a price surge, prompting the search for a sustainable alternative protein source. Enter Azolla meal, a plant protein that could be a viable substitute for fishmeal. This cost-effective supplemental feed could be a game-changer for small-scale producers looking to expand their aquaculture production. Numerous experiments have been conducted on replacing fishmeals with Azolla meals in fish diets, and the results have sparked further research. This review delves into Azolla's composition, comparing it to fishmeal in terms of proteins, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. It also explores the value of employing Azolla in fish feeds and the various methods to mitigate its adverse effects through feed additives during the feed formulation. This review discusses the essential effects of Azolla meal on the growth of various fish species, including tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), catfish (Clarias batrachus), thai silver barb (Barbonymus gonionotus), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), rohu (Labeo rohita), and catla (Catla catla) and mrigal (Cirrhinus cirrhosus). Azolla's potential extends beyond its use as a fish feed ingredient. It could also be utilized for bioremediation to remediate hazardous chemicals in water resulting from aquaculture, industrial, and household waste. Further research is needed to optimize the use of Azolla meal in fish feed and to develop cost-effective production methods. This review is a valuable resource for farmers looking to maximize profit when using Azolla in aquafeed and potentially sustainably enhance aquaculture production. With its promising potential, the Azolla meal could be the key to meeting the growing demand for fishmeals while reducing the industry's environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adding immune enhancers to feed can maintain fish health and enhance disease resistance. Some insects contain rich bioactive substances, which can improve the health of fish, among which the Black soldier fly is more studied and applied. Black soldier fly is rich in nutrition, short growth and reproduction cycle, high feed utilization rate, low feeding pollution, and rich in antimicrobial peptides, chitin and lauric acid, which has broad application prospects as an immune booster and health promotion agent in fish culture. In the paper, the biological characteristics and principle of Black soldier fly as immune enhancer are summarized, the application of Black soldier fly in various fish immune enhancer in recent years is summarized, and the appropriate proportion and form of replacing fish meal and other feed ingredients are discussed, to provide reference for the efficient application of Black soldier fly in fish culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing human population and improved living standards in developing countries have led to a higher demand for animal proteins, which has resulted in increased costs of animal feed ingredients such as fish meal, fish oil, soybean meal, and cereals. The global economic slowdown, has further compounded this challenge, making it crucial for the animal production industry to find innovative methods to secure future social, environmental and economic needs. Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae have emerged as a promising nutrient alternative due to their high protein and fat contents and a rich source of vitamins and minerals comparable to soybean and fish meal. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) has the potential to reduce the cost of chicken feed formulations by partially replacing soybean and/or fish meals. This is one of the primary reasons why insects like BSF are seen as viable alternative protein sources for animal feeds. This review attempts to assess the challenges faced by the poultry industry and strategies to overcome feeding issues through the use of BSFL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to investigate the effects of enzymatically hydrolyzed poultry by-products (EHPB) on the growth and muscle quality of largemouth bass. Different concentrations of EHPB (0.00, 3.10, 6.20, 9.30, and 12.40%) were added to replace fishmeal (0.00 (control), 8.89 (EHPB1), 17.78 (EHPB2), 26.67 (EHPB3), and 35.56% (EHPB4)), respectively, in dietary supplementation. The results revealed that the growth performance and muscle amino acid and fatty acid remained unaltered in EHPB1 (p > 0.05). EHPB1 showed significant reduction in muscle hardness, gumminess, chewiness, and muscle fiber count and exhibited a significant increase in muscle fiber volume. The decrease in muscle hardness, gumminess, and chewiness means that the muscle can have a more tender texture. The expression of protein metabolism-related genes reached the highest levels in EHPB1 and EHPB2 (p < 0.05). The mRNA levels of s6k and igf-1 in EHPB2 and EHPB1 were significantly lower than those in the control group. Compared to the control group, the expression of muscle production-associated genes paxbp-1 was higher in EHPB1, and myod-1, myf-5, and syndecan-4 were higher in EHPB2. The mRNA levels of muscle atrophy-related genes, in EHPB4 and EHPB2, were significantly lower than those in the control group. Therefore, the EHPB1 group plays a role in promoting the expression of genes related to muscle formation. In summary, replacing 8.89% of fishmeal with EHPB in feed has no effect on growth and may improve back muscle quality in largemouth bass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water hyacinth is a perennial aquatic weed that can be utilized effectively rather than spending energy in eradicating them. It is the source of N, P, K which is essential for the growth of plants. In India, locally available horticulture wastes and grasses are fed to cattle predominantly. Water hyacinth in the dried form or as ensilage may be given as cattle feed due to high protein content in it. The amino acid profile of water hyacinth makes it suitable to be used as pig feed. When Water hyacinth is used as poultry feed, it increases the egg laying ratio and boosts cell mediated immunity of the poultry. Water hyacinth can be used as an alternative of soy bean meal in fish feed which reduces the feed cost. Water hyacinth is also used to make paper, cardboards, disposable cups, plates and variety of products for human use. Water hyacinth thus becoming potential raw material for making valuable products to meet the sustainable solution for water hyacinth management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise in the world's demand for fish is increasingly met by aquaculture. However, this sector still shows various criticalities in terms of sustainability of practices, first and foremost, that of feed availability. Nowadays, the use of insect meal represents one of the potential sustainable solutions, but consumption intention of fish fed with insect meal and the factors affecting it have not yet been adequately understood. This study investigates 318 Italian consumers' intentions to buy fish fed with insect meal using an extended version of the Theory of Planned Behavior, including consumers' moral attitude and sustainability consciousness as additional constructs. The results of structural equation models show that consumers' high sustainability consciousness (6.16 on a scale from 1 to 7) does not influence their consumption intention of this product. Also, the two moderating variables involved in the model, i.e., the country of origin and price sensitivity, do not significantly affect consumers' intentions. Since the analysis demonstrates that, for consumers, insect meal-fed fish conforms to their moral principles and a significant positive attitude toward this practice it could be argued that fish fed with insect meal can match the demand from consumers who feel responsible for their consumer behavior. Although the limited area of investigations and the high education of interviewed do not allow for generalizing of the results, this paper provides pivotal food for thought for companies, policymakers, and academics responding to previous research calls on understanding the role of some constructs of consumption intention and highlighting the levers on which to act to foster the consumption intention of insect-fed fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The balance of the intestinal commensal microbiome of fish and other animals plays an important role in the physiological processes of healthy animals, contributes to the defense against pathogens, stimulates the immune system and facilitates nutrient metabolism. In the last decade, the interest in the application of the insects in fish nutrition increased, although little is known regarding the effects of insect meals on the gastrointenstinal tract microbiome of the sea trout fingerlings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two diets containing mealworm (MW) and superworm (SW) on the microbiome of the digesta of sea trout fingerlings and the relative abundances of different taxa among communities under controlled conditions. Results: The insect meals produced a similar weight gain and survival rate to sea trout fed fishmeal. The most abundant bacterial phylum in all the treatment groups was Firmicutes followed by Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, and significant differences in the amount of Cyanobacteria were observed in the SW group. Conclusions: The insect meals did not produce differences in the three most abundant phyla in the sea trout digesta. However, the effect of each type of meal on the lower taxonomic levels was evident, particularly in the case of the superworm meal. These microbiome differences indicated that mealworm meal was more related to fishmeal than superworm meal. Our results highlight the potential effects of insect meals, such as mealworm and superworm meals, on the microbiota of sea trout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Soybean meal (SBM) is widely used in shrimp feed agro‐industry as a fish meal (FM) replacement. However, high levels of SBM may compromise animal health as a result of nutrient imbalance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of feed enzyme combination (a mixture of 6‐phytase, serine protease, and endo‐1,3(4)‐β‐glucanase) and functional immunostimulant combination (a mixture of brewer's yeast, nucleotides, vitamin C, and vitamin E) in improving the overall health of Pacific white shrimp fed soybean‐based diet. Four diets were formulated with different amounts of SBM, FM, and poultry meal (PM): 0% SBM (with 25% FM and 12.6% PM), 30% SBM (with 12.5% FM and 5.7% PM), 30% SBM plus 0.045% feed enzymes, and 30% SBM plus 0.1% functional immunostimulants. The postlarvae were fed the test diets for 45 days. Then, the body weight, survival, FCR, Vibrio spp. count, and immune responses were analyzed. The resistance of shrimp to Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection was also evaluated. The results suggest that the diet with 30% SBM was deleterious to the shrimp's health. Feed enzymes and functional immunostimulant supplements improved overall performance, immune function, and resistance to V. parahaemolyticus infection of shrimp fed the diet containing 30% SBM compared with the 30% SBM diet without feed supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, there is an urgent need for the growing aquaculture sector to rely on sustainable ingredients which can achieve optimal growth while maintaining fish's nutritional value (especially omega-3 fatty acid content) for human consumption. Here, C. reinhardtii biomass was substituted for fishmeal in zebrafish (Danio rerio) diets in wild-type and mutant (Casper) strains. Four isonitrogenous (46% cp), isocaloric (19–21 MJ/kg DW) diets were prepared with C. reinhardtii replacing 10% (C10), 20% (C20), and 50% (C50) of the fishmeal component of the diet formulation. Over 8 weeks of feeding trials, the zebrafish showed a significant growth improvement when fed C10, C20, and C50 compared with the control (no C. reinhardtii), with C20 giving the best performance in terms of growth, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and specific growth rate (SGR). Interestingly, C. reinhardtii in the diet increased the levels of linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3) and hexadecatrienoic acid (C16: 4-n-3) (p ≤ 0.05) in the zebrafish. Yellow pigmentation, which was shown to be lutein, was observed in eggs and zebrafish flesh for fish fed a diet containing C. reinhardtii. Moreover, the zebrafish assimilated β-carotene from C. reinhardtii and converted it to vitamin A. Overall, while replacing 20% of fishmen in the zebrafish's diet with C. reinhardtii biomass offers the best results, replacement with only 10% showed a significant benefit for the zebrafish. Furthermore, replacing fishmeal with 50% C. reinhardtii is still possible and beneficial, and C. reinhardtii whole cells are digestible by zebrafish, thus demonstrating that C. reinhardtii not only has the potential to serve as a feed supplement but that it can also act as a feed substitute once the production cost of microalgae becomes competitive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the trial was to evaluate three vaccination schemes against Clostridium perfringens (CP) alpha-toxoid through drinking water to determine if they can protect against clinical signs of necrotic enteritis and coccidiosis in broiler chickens. Three hundred 1-day-old Cobb 500 male chicks were used in 4 treatments with 10 repetitions. Each group received 1 of the following treatments over the course of 29 days: T1, no vaccination; T2, vaccination on Day 1; T3, vaccination on Day 7; and T4, vaccination on Days 7 and 17. The birds were vaccinated with inactivated CP toxoid type A, administered via drinking water. During the first 14 days, a high-protein diet (27%) consisting of corn, soy, and fish meal was fed. On Day 14 Eimeria acervulina (EA), Eimeria maxima (EMx), Eimeria tenella (ET), Eimeria necatrix, and Eimeria brunetti were used in a coccidial challenge. The field isolate CP type A was then inoculated on Days 18, 19, and 20. Ten birds were slaughtered by treatment to obtain serology samples for antibody titers and intestine samples for CP and Eimeria lesion score and gut integrity indicators. Productive performance was assessed using complete randomized design and compared statistically using the Tukey test, whereas intestinal integrity variables and antibodies against CP alpha toxin were assessed using a Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric method. The results revealed that the treatments had an effect on productive performance (P < 0.05); T3 had better body weight and weight gain than T1. In terms of lesion score at Day 21, T4 had a lower lesion score by EA, EMx, and ET than T1. Cell desquamation in T2 was lower than in T4, and excess mucus (EM) in T1 was the worst in gut integrity indicators at Day 21. On the other hand, T2 had more EM than T3 and T4 at Day 25. In the measurement of antibodies, no statistical differences (P > 0.05) were found. These findings indicate that vaccination on Day 7 (T3) outperformed double vaccination on Days 7 and 17 (T4) and single on Day 1 (T2), in terms of productive performance, gut integrity, and lesion scores; and on the last day of the experiment T3 had the best performance in immunology response. Evaluación de tres esquemas de vacunación contra la toxina alfa de Clostridium perfringens y sus efectos sobre el rendimiento, el nivel de lesiones intestinales y los títulos de anticuerpos séricos en pollos de engorde. El objetivo del ensayo fue evaluar tres programas de vacunación contra Clostridium perfringens (CP) con un alfa-toxoide a través del agua de bebida para determinar si protegían contra signos clínicos de enteritis necrótica y coccidiosis en pollos de engorde. Para ello se emplearon 300 pollitos machos Cobb 500 de un día de edad, distribuidos en 4 tratamientos con 10 repeticiones. Cada grupo recibió, durante 29 días, uno de los siguientes tratamientos: T1: sin vacunación; T2: vacunación en el día uno; T3: vacunación en el día siete y T4, vacunación en los días siete y 17. Las aves fueron vacunadas con toxoide inactivado de C. perfringens tipo A, que se administró en el agua de bebida. Durante los primeros 14 días se alimentó con una dieta alta en proteína (27%) que consistía en maíz, soya y harina de pescado. El desafío coccidial se realizó en el día 14 con Eimeria acervulina (EA), Eimeria maxima (EMx), Eimeria tenella (ET), Eimeria necatrix and Eimeria brunetti. Posteriormente, en los días 18, 19 y 20 se inoculó una cepa aislada de campo de C. perfringens tipo A. Se sacrificaron diez aves por tratamiento para obtener muestras de sueros para determinar los títulos de anticuerpos y muestras de intestino para determinar la puntuación de lesiones por C. perfringens, por Eimeria y los indicadores de integridad intestinal. El comportamiento productivo se analizó bajo un diseño completamente al azar (DCA) y la comparación estadística se realizó mediante la prueba de Tukey, mientras que para las variables de integridad intestinal y los títulos de anticuerpos contra alfa toxina de C. perfringens se utilizó el método no paramétrico Kruskal-Wallis. Los resultados mostraron que el comportamiento productivo fue influenciado por los tratamientos (P < 0.05); el tratamiento T3 mostró el mejor peso corporal y ganancia de peso en comparación con el tratamiento T1. Con relación al puntaje de lesiones en el día 21, el tratamiento T4 tuvo el menor puntaje de lesiones por E. acervulina, E. maxima y E. tenella en comparación con el tratamiento T1. La descamación celular en el tratamiento T2 fue menor que en el T4 y el exceso de moco en el tratamiento T1 fue peor entre los indicadores de integridad intestinal en el día 21. Por otro lado, el tratamiento T2 tenía más exceso de moco en comparación con los tratamientos T3 y T4 en el día 25. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticas (P > 0.05) en la medición de títulos de anticuerpos. Estos hallazgos indican que la vacunación en el día siete (T3) superó a la vacunación doble en los días 7 y 17 (T4) y única en el día uno (T2), en términos de rendimiento productivo, integridad intestinal y puntajes de lesiones, además en el último día del experimento, el tratamiento T3 tuvo el mejor desempeño en la respuesta inmunológica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dietary effects of replacing fish meal with enzymatic cottonseed protein (ECP) on the growth performance, immunity, antioxidant, and intestinal health of Chinese soft-shelled turtles have not been explored. An eight-week feeding trial was conducted with a quadruplicated group of turtles (3.44 ± 0.01 g) that were randomly assigned to 16 cages (0.6 m × 0.6 m × 0.6 m) with 30 turtles that were stocked in each cage. Four dietary groups were fed with diets supplemented with 0, 2%, 4%, and 6% (ECP0 group (control group), ECP2 group, ECP4 group, ECP6 group) of enzymatic cottonseed protein replacing fishmeal. The present study illustrated that the final weight and WG in the ECP2 and ECP4 groups were significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared with the control group. The ECP2, ECP4, and ECP6 groups significantly reduced the feed coefficient (P < 0.05) and significantly increased the SGR (P < 0.05). The serum TP and ALB of the ECP4 group were significantly increased (P < 0.05). The ECP2, ECP4, and ECP6 groups significantly increased the activity of intestinal pepsin (P < 0.05), and the activity of intestinal lipase of the EPC4 group was significantly increased (P < 0.05). The intestinal villus height of the EPC4 group and EPC6 group, the villus width of the EPC2 group and EPC4 group, and the intestinal muscle thickness of the EPC4 group were significantly increased (P < 0.05). At the same time, replacing fishmeal with enzymatic cottonseed protein also affected the intestinal inflammation-related genes compared with the control group. Besides that, the expression of the IL-10 gene in the experimental group was significantly upregulated (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, the expression of TNF-α and IL-8 genes in the ECP2 group and TNF-α and IL-1β genes in the ECP4 group was significantly downregulated (P < 0.05). In summary, replacing fish meal with enzymatic cottonseed protein positively affects the growth, immunity, and intestinal health of Chinese soft-shelled turtles. The appropriate proportion of enzymatic cottonseed protein to replace fish meal in turtle feed is 4%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study used Chrysomya megacephala larvae (CML) to transform food waste into safe and high-quality fish feed to substitute fish meal as a source of protein for growing Oujiang color common carps followed by a human health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The results showed the ∑PAH concentration in the CML fed with food waste ranged from 50 to 370 μg kg−1, and the most abundant PAH compound in the CML was BaP, contributing 59–84% of ∑PAHs. The Pearson correlation analysis results indicated no correlation between the ∑PAH concentrations and the culture substrate ratio (p > 0.05). Concentrations of BaP in the CML decreased with the increase of breeding density (p < 0.01). The residues as organic fertilizers have no potential ecological risk for PAHs. The biotransformed larva meal was used to partially or completely replace the fish meal as supplementary protein in the experimental feeds (T0, 0%; T50, 50%; T100, 100%). No significant difference (p < 0.05) of survival rate, lipid, and protein content in Oujiang color common carp was noted among T0, T50, and T100 fish feeds. Concentrations of ∑PAHs in Oujiang color common carp fed with the CML fish feeds all met the food safety standards in the European Union (EU). Furthermore, the consumption of Oujiang color common carps fed with the CML feed does not pose any health risks of PAHs for humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Fish meal is widely used in aquaculture feed due to its high protein content, balanced amino acid composition, and low anti-nutritional factors. However, with the development of intensive aquaculture, fish meal resources are in short supply and prices are rising. In order to ensure the sustainable development of aquaculture, it is very important to find a low-cost, high-quality protein source to replace fish meal. In this study, substituting fish meal of Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) diets with poultry by-product meal was carried out. The results showed that replacing fish meal with 15% poultry by-product meal had no adverse effect on the growth of Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis), and the 10% poultry by-product meal was beneficial to the growth performance, immunity, and digestive ability. Therefore, it is feasible to use poultry by-product meal as a protein source to replace fish meal in Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) feed. To investigate the effect of poultry by-product meal (PBM) replacing fish meal on the growth and intestinal health of Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). Four experimental diets were prepared. Fish meal was replaced by 0 (control group, PBM0), 5% (PBM5), 10% (PBM10), and 15% (PBM15) PBM. Compared to the control group, final body weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate were significantly increased, while feed conversion rate decreased significantly in the PBM10 group (p < 0.05). The PBM15 group significantly increased the moisture content and significantly decreased the ash content of the turtles (p < 0.05). The PBM5 and PBM15 groups significantly decreased the whole-body crude lipid (p < 0.05). The serum glucose content increased significantly in the PBM10 group (p < 0.05). The liver malonaldehyde content significantly decreased in the PBM5 group and in the PBM10 group (p < 0.05). Liver glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase and intestinal pepsin activity were increased significantly in the PBM15 group (p < 0.05). The expression of the intestinal interleukin 10 (IL-10) gene was significantly down-regulated in the PBM10 group and the PBM15 group (p < 0.05), the expression of the intestinal interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and liver toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) genes were significantly up-regulated in the PBM5 group (p < 0.05). In summary, poultry by-product meal can be used as a protein source to replace fish meal in turtle feed. Based on quadratic regression analysis, the optimal replacement ratio is 7.39%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Soybean meal is currently one of the most widely used ingredients in aquafeed due to its consistent supply, reasonable price, and well-balanced amino acid profile. However, anti-nutritional factors such as antigen proteins and soybean agglutinin in soybean meal can also cause intestinal barrier injury and inflammatory reactions in fish, harming fish growth, immunity, and intestinal health. Intestinal health is especially important for carnivorous fish such as rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), which have a relatively small intestinal length index. In this study, it was confirmed that dietary NaB levels of 0.20% improved the growth of juvenile O. mykiss and reduced the severity of anti-nutritional factor-induced enteropathy by enhancing digestive enzymes and improving intestinal morphology. Dietary NaB enhanced the mRNA expression of TJ proteins while decreasing the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, NF-κB, and MLCK-MLC, likely reinforcing the intestinal mucosal barrier and protecting against pathogenic bacterial infections. In addition, the gut microbial composition was more conducive to O. mykiss health with the inclusion of 0.20% NaB in the diet. Furthermore, when challenged with Aeromonas salmonicida, dietary 0.20% NaB increased the survival rate of O. mykiss. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of feed additives for use in low-fish meal feeds. This study aimed to determine the effects of dietary sodium butyrate (NaB) on the growth and gut health of triploid Oncorhynchus mykiss juveniles (8.86 ± 0.36 g) fed a low fish meal diet for 8 weeks, including the inflammatory response, histomorphology, and the composition and functional prediction of microbiota. Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic practical diets (15.00% fish meal and 21.60% soybean meal) were supplemented with 0.00% (G1), 0.10% (G2), 0.20% (G3), 0.30% (G4), and 0.40% NaB (G5), respectively. After the feeding trial, the mortality for G3 challenged with Aeromonas salmonicida for 7 days was lower than that for G1 and G5. The optimal NaB requirement for triploid O. mykiss based on weight gain rate (WGR) and the specific growth rate (SGR) was estimated to be 0.22% and 0.20%, respectively. The activities of intestinal digestive enzymes increased in fish fed a NaB diet compared to G1 (p < 0.05). G1 also showed obvious signs of inflammation, but this inflammation was significantly alleviated with dietary NaB supplementation. In comparison, G3 exhibited a more complete intestinal mucosal morphology. Dietary 0.20% NaB may play an anti-inflammatory role by inhibiting the NF-κB-P65 inflammatory signaling pathway. Additionally, the relative abundance of probiotics was altered by dietary NaB. In conclusion, dietary 0.20% NaB improved the intestinal health of triploid O. mykiss fed a low fish meal diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fishmeal is widely accepted as a protein source in fish feed formulation, making it a highly demanded ingredient, and this has probably contributed to its increased cost. Cheaper protein sources of plant and animal origin have been tested as potential replacements for fishmeal to reduce feed costs in fish production and guarantee a suitable nutrient supply for adequate growth. Therefore, this review assessed the effect of replacing fishmeal in the diet of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus based on empirical findings. Using a systematic literature review protocol, an extensive search of five databases resulted in the final inclusion of 32 articles for appraisal and meta-analysis. Fishmeal replacements were at levels ranging from 7–100%, while fish survival rate and feed conversion ratio recorded non-significant effects of fishmeal replacement (p > 0.05). However, final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, and protein efficiency ratio revealed a significant effect of fishmeal replacement (p < 0.05) in the diet of African catfish. Our overall analyses suggest that feed ingredients such as microalgae and insects/ worms are potentially perfect replacements for fishmeal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black soldier fly larva meal (BSFM) application as an innovative feed material has been developed in aquaculture nutrition. However, recent scientific literature is still lacking in the case of insect meal effects on different stages of salmonid fish, and the vast majority of research is focused on farmed Atlantic salmon. Therefore, the holistic approach was undertaken in the cycle of two studies carried out: on fries and pre-smolts. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fish meal (FM) replacement by full-fat BSFM in Atlantic salmon fry diets on the growth performance, feed utilization, crude protein and crude fat digestibility, somatic indices, histomorphology of intestines, and environmental sustainability. Additionally, pellet quality was assessed. Two experiments were performed on 360 Atlantic salmon fries – each of which lasted 60 days. For the first experiment, 240 individuals were distributed to four experimental groups: six replicates (tanks) per group and 10 fish per tank. For the second experiment, 120 individuals were distributed to four experimental groups: three replicates (tanks) per group and 10 fish per tank were used. The following groups were applied: CON – without the addition of full-fat BSFM and with 39% FM; BSFM5 – with 5% addition of full-fat BSFM and 36.1% FM; BSFM10 – with 10% full-fat BSFM and 33.3% FM; BSFM15 – with 15% addition of full-fat BSFM and 30.3% FM. The present study showed satisfactory results of BSFM inclusion at the levels of 5% and 10% as a replacement for fish meal in feeds for Atlantic salmon fries. No negative effects on growth performance, feed utilization, protein and fat digestibility, or intestinal structure were recorded. Simultaneously, insect meal inclusion in Atlantic salmon diets significantly improved the environmental sustainability of the feed. In the case of BSFM15, decreases in body weight gain, protein lipid efficiency ratio, and lipid efficiency ratio, as well as increases in feed conversion ratio, were observed. Therefore, the use of shares higher than 10% of BSFM in Atlantic salmon fries may not be recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable domestic aquaculture development is a critical component to achieving greater U.S. seafood security in the future, yet detrimental allegations have corrupted public support. A variety of longstanding and inaccurate myths and assumptions directed at offshore aquaculture farming and its regulation have been foisted on the public. This paper refutes the most prevalent critiques by reviewing current policies, regulations, research and industry production practices. These criticisms include: inadequate regulatory oversight; portrayal of farms as being high density factories unconcerned by food waste, untreated discharge, use of antibiotic and antifungal treatments; entanglement of marine mammals; impacts on wild stocks and habitats; use of feed additives to pigment fish flesh; unsustainable use of fish meal in feed formulations; potential market disruption by producing cheap, low quality products; and commercial farms and commercial fishers cannot coexist as for-profit businesses. Marine aquaculture is not risk-free in terms of potential environmental, economic, social, and cultural impacts and challenges remain to achieve a sustainable industry. These challenges are well known and addressable by the U.S. and global research community. Current offshore farming realities bode well for the future: 1) there is a clear global imperative to sustainably produce more seafood to meet growing demand and the U.S. has the marine resources to become a major exporter, if U.S. law can be amended to grant offshore farmers a property right or security of tenure for sites in federal waters; 2) U.S. ocean farmers work within a very complex and effective legal, regulatory, science-driven environment to anticipate and mitigate potential impacts; 3) farm level management decisions and federal and state regulatory frameworks have worked together to bring about environmentally friendly siting, operational, and production outcomes, and 4) the farming community and its advocates in government, universities, and industry recognize it is essential to reach out to decision-makers and the interested public, as well as critics, with the latest research and empirical results to present an accurate picture of risks and rewards to development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The livestock industry as an important component of general agriculture is a key contributor to economic growth and development of any nation. In addition to having the capacity for earning revenue for the governments, it provides employment, food, farm energy, manure, fuel and transport. Currently, important protein ingredients for animal feed are fish meal, processed animal proteins and soybean meal. However, in the European Union the use of processed animal proteins in animal feed is prohibited due to the TSE legislation, globally land availability for soya cultivation is limited, while marine overexploitation has reduced the abundance of small pelagic forage fish from which fish meal and fish oil is derived. The growing scarcity of resources to produce these increasingly demanded ingredients has doubled prices during the last five years, while it already represents 60-70% of production costs. So, alternative (animal) protein sources for livestock and aquaculture are urgently needed. Insects are such an alternative animal protein source, which can sustainably reared on organic side streams. Reasons are that they have a favorable feed conversion efficiency, likely because they are cold-blooded. Insects contain between 30% and 70% protein on a dry matter basis. The protein content of the insect species is within the soybean/fish meal range and fat content is higher especially compared to (defatted) soybean meal. This review, however highlighted the environmental, health, livelihood and social benefits of insects. Recent efforts in feeding livestock, challenges limiting the use of insects as feed ingredients and moreover, the strategies for commercial production of insects as feed ingredients just to mention a few of the potentials of using insects for feeding livestock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concerns have been raised about the potential environmental dangers connected with ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) entering aquatic systems due to the growing use of ZnO NPs in various fields. This study looked about how freshwater fish (Cyprinus carpio) respond to sub-chronic exposure to ZnO NPs through food. Common carp (C. carpio) from nearby fish hatcheries were employed in this investigation (city of Madaan, south of Baghdad). These fish had an approximate length and weight of 15-18 cm and 120-5 gram, respectively. Once every day, fish fed commercial fish meal. They were acclimated in 40 L aquariums (60 x 40 x 50 cm) with continuous aeration and 16- and 8-hours photoperiod for 12 days prior to the commencement of the experiment. For six weeks, two groups of fishes were treated to doses of 250 and 500 mg/l. Samples were taken six weeks after the ZnO NPs exposure. Five fish from every ZnO NPs treated group as well as the associated controls were taken out, killed, and preserved in formalin after necessary exposure times for tissue samples (liver, gills, kidney, and ovaries). The tissues samples exhibit pathological changes as a result, particularly at concentrations of 500 mg/l of Zinc oxide nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poultry industry is one of the most important/vibrant sectors in the livestock industry. Feed economics is highly important in the production of poultry, especially in intensive farming. Protein intake is the key factor for the sustainable production process and growth rates. Mainly soybean and fish meal is used to fulfill the protein requirements in poultry feed, however, currently, soybean meal and other conventional protein ingredients are facing the problem of shortage supply resultantly increasing in prices. So, there is an urgent need to explore other alternatives and cheaper protein sources. In the past 20 years, amongst different alternative protein sources, private companies and research institutes have focused on the use of algae, insects, and other invertebrates in poultry diets whereas particular attention needs to be paid to the dietary use of earthworms as it is a good and palatable source of protein. Earthworms can be successfully used as an alternative protein source for poultry and aquaculture as an environmentally friendly protein feed ingredient. In this review, we summarize the suitability, productivity, and effectiveness of earthworm meals as an alternative protein ingredient in poultry diets The research has investigated the use of earthworm meal in fish and poultry feed and exhibited an increase in body weight, feed conversion ratio, feed intake, and growth rates in broilers as well as an increase in egg production in layers. The research has shown dietary inclusion level of earthworm meal in the fish diet is successfully up to 25-30% whilst its inclusion level in the broiler diet should not go beyond 15%. Supplementation of earthworm meals in broiler and aquaculture diets may trigger production performances without affecting the quality of the final product. The goal of this review is to deliver the recent scenario of research on earthworm meal; to offer a better understanding of its use as a novel feed ingredient for sustainable poultry production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of 10 and 20% replacement of fishmeal (FM dietary group) with the superworm Zophobas morio larvae meal (ZM10 and ZM20 dietary groups) on the growth performance of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa) reared in aquaponics. Ninety juvenile sea bass with an average body weight of 21.55 g/individual were placed in aquaponic fish tanks, together with 24 lettuce plants with an average initial height of 8.90 cm/plant and an average number of leaves of 5.75/plant over a 45-day trial period. At the end of that period, all feeding groups exhibited high survival. In fact, ΖΜ10 and ZM20 groups showed similar fish weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) (p > 0.05), but significantly lower SGR (p < 0.05) than the FM group. Nevertheless, final fish body weight and length were similar (p > 0.05) for all feeding groups. No plant mortality was observed during the 45-day study period. All three aquaponic systems resulted in similar leaf fresh weight, as well as fresh and dry aerial biomass. At the end of the experimental period, plants in the third system showed higher fresh leaf weight, total weight of fresh leaves, total dry aerial biomass, and total produced biomass compared to the other two systems. The results of the present study show that fish fed with the ZM10 diet had higher weight gain (WG) than fish fed with the ZM20 diet, while the SGRs for ZM10 and ZM20 were similar. Both ZM10 and ZM20 diets result in efficient lettuce production. This study also provides data that enlighten the feasibility of integrating insect meals as fish feeds for aquaponics which helps towards the development of an ento-aquaponic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish meal is the primary protein ingredient in fish feed and this material is expensive and non-renewable. However, the use of plant protein in marine fish feed such as soybean meal products are limited due to anti-nutritional factor that hindered fish performances. Therefore, hybrid grouper, a cross between tiger grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) and giant grouper (E. lanceolatus) was evaluated using defatted soybean meal (DSM) based feed and phytase. DSM- based feeds (30% of protein replacement) with supplementation of phytase at 0 and 2000 FTU/kg dosages, as well as a control feed (CON) comprised completely of fish meal (FM) was given to the hybrid grouper with an initial body weight of 6.2±0.0g. Each experimental feed was formulated with 50% of crude protein and 12% of crude lipid. The fish were raised in 100L fiberglass tanks equipped with a flow-through water system for each triplicate treatment. The hybrid grouper was fed with the respective feeds twice a day until the perceived satiation level for 12 weeks. Hybrid grouper fed CON and DSM-based feed did not exhibit any significant difference in growth. However, hybrid grouper fed with DSM-based feed grew larger compared to that fed with CON. Hybrid grouper fed with DSM-based feed showed significantly higher feed intake, lower net protein utilization, hepatosomatic index, viscerosomatic index, and apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) protein values (p<0.05). The value of ADC of phosphorus was slightly higher in DSM-based feed supplemented with phytase at a dosage of 2000 FTU/kg. No significant effect was observed on body proximate composition, morphological condition of the intestine, and ADC of lipids in all the treatments. The results show that hybrid grouper can effectively consume 30% DSM-based feed and supplementing phytase did not affect the fish performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]