We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Salicornia ramosissima Biomass as a Partial Replacement of Wheat Meal in Diets for Juvenile European Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax).
- Authors
Barreto, André; Couto, Ana; Jerónimo, Daniel; Laranjeira, Adriana; Silva, Bruna; Nunes, Catarina; Veríssimo, Ana C. S.; Pinto, Diana C. G. A.; Dias, Jorge; Pacheco, Mário; Costas, Benjamin; Rocha, Rui J. M.
- Abstract
Simple Summary: The production of halophyte plants, like Salicornia ramosissima, is increasing as they are highly valued for human consumption and due to their ability to grow in unutilized cultivation areas, like saline soils. However, only the green tips are commercialized, while the remaining plant is considered a residue. This study aimed to explore the potential of these salicornia by-products to be included in aquafeeds for juvenile European seabass, partially replacing wheat meal. The results obtained indicate that this substitution is possible with no apparent adverse effects on the fish and on the economic viability of the feeds. Additionally, the inclusion of salicornia in the diets was related to the decrease in compounds in fish muscle usually used as stress biomarkers and with the increase in DHA levels, one of the most relevant Omega-3 fatty acids for human nutrition. Therefore, data from this study suggest that salicornia by-products are a viable alternative to partially replace wheat meal in diets for juvenile European seabass, allowing salicornia farmers to valorize a residue and to implement the principles of circular economy in halophyte farming and the aquaculture industry. The green tips of Salicornia ramosissima are used for human consumption, while, in a production scenario, the rest of the plant is considered a residue. This study evaluated the potential of incorporating salicornia by-products in diets for juvenile European seabass, partially replacing wheat meal, aspiring to contribute to their valorization. A standard diet and three experimental diets including salicornia in 2.5%, 5% and 10% inclusion levels were tested in triplicate. After 62 days of feeding, no significant differences between treatments were observed in fish growth performances, feeding efficiency and economic conversation ratio. Nutrient digestibility of the experimental diets was unaffected by the inclusion of salicornia when compared to a standard diet. Additionally, salicornia had significant modulatory effects on the fish muscle biochemical profiles, namely by significantly decreasing lactic acid and increasing succinic acid levels, which can potentially signal health-promoting effects for the fish. Increases in DHA levels in fish fed a diet containing 10% salicornia were also shown. Therefore, the results suggest that salicornia by-products are a viable alternative to partially replace wheat meal in diets for juvenile European seabass, contributing to the valorization of a residue and the implementation of a circular economy paradigm in halophyte farming and aquaculture.
- Subjects
FISH feeds; EUROPEAN seabass; DIETARY fats; WHEAT; OMEGA-3 fatty acids; CIRCULAR economy; SUCCINIC acid
- Publication
Animals (2076-2615), 2024, Vol 14, Issue 4, p614
- ISSN
2076-2615
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/ani14040614