Fish Nutrition And Feed Development: Recent Innovation And Challenges

Abstract

The importance of creating fish feeds that are both economical and nutritionally balanced has increased due to aquaculture's explosive growth as a key component of global food security. Research on the nutritional needs of cultured fish species and the development of sustainable substitutes for conventional feed ingredients like fishmeal and fish oil advanced significantly until 2015. The transition to plant-based proteins, animal byproducts, single-cell proteins, and early research into insect meals are highlighted in this paper, which examines the advancements and innovations in fish nutrition and feed development up to 2015. The use of functional additives such as probiotics, prebiotics, and immunostimulants, which enhance fish health, growth, and disease resistance, is another example of nutritional innovations. Extrusion and microencapsulation are two technological advancements in feed processing that have improved nutrient stability.

Notwithstanding these developments, the industry continued to face obstacles such as the anti-nutritional qualities of plant proteins, the decreased palatability and digestibility of substitute ingredients, and the ongoing reliance on limited marine resources. Progress was also hampered by environmental issues with eutrophication and nutrient waste, as well as financial and legal constraints on the use of new feed ingredients. However, the movement toward more effective and sustainable feeding practices signalled a significant shift in the field of aquaculture nutrition research. For researchers, feed producers, and aquaculture professionals searching for sustainable aquafeed solutions, this review provides a comprehensive resource.