Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewedConventional

Effects of Adding Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) as a Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Muscle Composition, Fatty Acid Profile, and Productive Performance in Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

I.E. Díaz-Vázquez; B. Cuevas-Rodríguez; Ó. Zavala-Leal; E. Cuevas-Rodríguez; E. Arámbul-Muñoz; L. Sánchez-Magaña; F. Valdez‐González

Israeli Journal of Aquaculture (Bamidgeh) · 2025

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Summary

This experimental study examined how dietary inclusion of purslane flour affects muscle composition and fatty acid profiles in farmed Nile tilapia. Purslane flour incorporation at up to 100 g/kg (10%) significantly increased fillet lipid content without compromising productive performance, whilst inclusion up to 150 g/kg (15%) further increased EPA and DHA concentrations in muscle tissue, suggesting purslane as a viable plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids for aquaculture feed formulation.

Regional applicability

Findings may be relevant to UK aquaculture producers seeking to improve the nutritional profile of farmed tilapia through plant-based feed additives, though applicability would depend on purslane availability and cost-effectiveness in UK supply chains. The results support exploration of local or temperate alternatives with similar omega-3 content for UK tilapia farming.

Key measures

Lipid content in fillet, protein content, EPA (20:5 n-3) concentration, DHA (22:6 n-3) concentration, survival rate, productive performance variables

Outcomes reported

The study measured productive performance, muscle composition (protein and lipid content), and fatty acid profiles (EPA and DHA levels) in tilapia fillets across four dietary treatments with varying purslane flour inclusion rates over 60 days.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Aquaculture & fisheries
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
System type
Aquaculture
DOI
10.46989/001c.129335
Catalogue ID
NRmoef29zs-004

Topic tags

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