Effects of supplementing a plant protein-rich diet with insect, crayfish or microalgae meals on gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) and European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) growth, physiological status and gut health

Summary

This 2023 trial examined three alternative protein sources—insect, crayfish, and microalgae meals—as supplements to plant protein-based diets for two economically important Mediterranean farmed fish species. The authors assessed impacts on growth, physiological condition, and intestinal health to establish whether these novel ingredients could reduce reliance on conventional fishmeal whilst maintaining production performance and fish welfare. The work contributes evidence on the feasibility of more sustainable aquaculture feed formulations without compromising commercial outcomes.

Regional applicability

This research is directly applicable to United Kingdom aquaculture operations, particularly given the UK's growing farmed sea bream and sea bass production and policy drivers toward reducing wild-caught fishmeal dependency. Findings may inform sustainable feed development strategies for UK fish farms; however, local environmental conditions and feed sourcing logistics may require adaptation of formulations for UK practice.

Key measures

Growth performance (weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio), physiological status markers, gut health parameters (intestinal histology, microbial community composition), digestive enzyme activity

Outcomes reported

The study evaluated growth performance, physiological status, and gut health markers in gilthead sea bream and European seabass fed plant protein-based diets supplemented with insect, crayfish, or microalgae meals. Growth rates, feed efficiency, and intestinal histology and function were measured to assess whether these alternative protein sources could sustain fish performance and welfare.

Topic tags