Joint research project

Formulation of experimental diets based on proteic sources alternative to fishmeal for feeding of fish of interest for aquaculture.

Project leaders
Giulia Maricchiolo, Rasha M Reda
Agreement
EGITTO - ASRT - Academy of Scientific Research and Technology
Call
CNR/ASRT biennio 2018-2019 2018-2019
Department
Earth system science and environmental technologies
Thematic area
Earth system science and environmental technologies
Status of the project
New

Research proposal

The aquaculture is considered as one of the main food-producing sector and the cheapest source of the animal protein, that was covering the needs a growing human population, especially in developing countries.Therefore, the current trend is to intensify and increase aquaculture production (Bondad-Reantaso et al., 2012). However, there are many challenges aquaculture needs to face, among which, the cost and availability of the food ingredients, especially the protein component in fish diets. Fishmeal is the main protein ingredient in aquaculture feed; it is expensive, rare and not available on the market (Luo et al. 2005) due to the constant decrease of catches of wild fish (FAO, 2014). Moreover, feeds represents 40-70% of costs of aquaculture fish production (Wilson, 2002; Rana et al 2009). For this reasons, the strategy is to using economic, available and ethically acceptable (capable of guarantee the biodiversity and environmental and social-economic sustainibility) feed as substitute for fishmeal in aqua-feeds (Tacon and Jackson, 1985). Recently, were carried out many researches aimed to test a variety of animal and plant protein sources as substitute of fishmeal. The percentage of substitution may vary according to fish species, size and feeding habits (Sánchez-Lozano et al., 2009). With this aim, FAO proposes the insect meal as innovative raw materials to produce feed because characterized by high nutritional value (rich in proteins, lipids, vitamins, mineral salts) and considered as strongly sustainable (optimal conversion indexex, low ecological imprint, low hydro needs and low serra gas emissions). Moreover, recently, European Commission has approved a regulament on use of animal proteins originating from farmed insects to produce aqua-feed. Recent aquaculture researches have shown that is possible use insect meal in partial substitution of fish meal. Results depend on type of larva (Musca domestica, Hermetia illucens, Tenebrio molitor), from its state (fresh, dryed, entire, defatted, grinded) from production process and fish species. Use of insect meal is widely described in literature (Bondari et al 1981; Fasakin et al 2003; Achionye-Nzeh et al 2003; Ajani et al 2004; Fashina-Bombata et al 2007; Abowei et al 2011; Dong et al 2013; Barroso et al 2014; Ogunji et al 2007; Stamer et al 2014; Henry et al 2015; Sánchez-Muros et al 2015). Good results have been obtained with meal of Hermetia illucens at pre-pupal stage due to protein content (53%)comparable to that of fishmeal and a level lipid of 21% (Makkar et al 2014). Moreover, the substitution level can be more high when we use defatted meal of HI whose proteic content reaching 65%. On the other hand, the valuable results have been gained through fishmeal replacement by plant protein sources such as, soybean meal (Wang et al.2006 ), corn gluten meal (Pereira and Oliva-Teles, 2003), lupin meal (Pereira and Oliva-Teles, 2004) and rice protein meal (Palmegiano et al 2006, Palmegiano et al 2007).Objective of the present research project is to assessment the replacement of high levels of fishmeal (FM) in aqua-feeds using available ingredients from animal protein source (namely; Hermetia illucens meal) and plant protein source (namely; rice protein meal). To reach that goal will be carried out two main experiments (the first, using pre-pupal stage of Hermetia illucens (HI) and the second, using rice protein (RP) meal in diet of Sparus aurata and Oreochromis niloticus, respectively) to detect their possible effects on fish body composition, gut microbiota, antioxidant capacity, non-specific immune parameters, intestinal cytokines and appetite-related genes. Our expected outcomes are to produce recommendations about cheap, available and high value protein source to be used as alternatives to fishmeal to reduce the high cost of aqua-feeds and to evaluate their effects on product quality and on immune status of fish. In addition to strengthening research cooperation (already started in 2014 during the Diplomazia programme) and transfer of experiences between the Italian and Egyptian sides in this field.
Abowei J.F.N. Ekubo, A.T. 2011. Brit J Pharmacol Toxicol 2, 179-191; Achionye-Nzeh, C.G. Ngwudo, O.S. 2003. Biosci. Res.Commun.15, 221-223; Ajani E.K. et al. 2004. World Aquac., 35, 52-54; Barroso F.G. et al. 2014. Aquaculture 422-423, 193-201; Bondad-Reantaso M.G. et al. 2012. FAO, Fisheries And Aquaculture Technical Paper 54, Roma (Italia); Bondari K. Sheppard D.C. 1981. Aquaculture 24, 103-109; Dong G.F. et al. 2013. Aquac.Nutr.19, 543-554; Fasakin, E. et al. 2003. Aquaculture Res. 34, 733-738; Fashina-Bombata, H.A., Balogun, O. 2007. J Prospects Sci 1, 178-181; Henry, M. et al. 2015. Anim Feed Sci Tech 203, 1-22; Luo, Z., et al., 2005. Aquaculture, 249, 409-418; Makkar, H.P.S. et al. 2014. Anim. Feed Sci. Tech. 197, 1-33; Ogunji, J.O. et al. 2007. Comp Biochemi Phys A, 147, 942-947; Palmegiano, G. et al. 2007. J Anim Physiol An N, 91, 235-239; Palmegiano, G. et al. 2006. Aquaculture, 258, 357-367; Pereira, T. & OlivaTeles, A. 2003. Aquac Res 34, 1111-1117: Pereira, T.G. & OlivaTeles, A. 2004. Aquac Res 35, 828-835; Rana, K.J. 2009. Impact of rising feed ingredient prices on aquafeeds and aquaculture production. In: FAO (Ed.), Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper. Food, Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy, p. 63; Sanchez-Lozano, N.B. et al 2009. Aquaculture, 298, 83-89; SánchezMuros, M.J. et al. 2015. Aquaculture Nutrition; Stamer, A. et al. 2014. 4th ISOFAR Scientific Conference. 'Building Organic Bridges', at the Organic World Congress. Istanbul, Turkey; Tacon, A.G.J. & Jackson, A.J. 1985. In: Cowey, C.B., Mackie, A.M., Bell, J.G. Eds. Nutrition and feeding in fish. Academic Press, London, 119-145; Wang, Y. et al. 2006. Aquaculture, 261, 1307-1313; Wilson, R.P. 2002. Protein and amino acids. In: Halver, J.E., Hardy, R.W. (Eds.), Fish Nutrition. Elsevier Science, San Diego, USA, pp. 144-179.

Research goals

The main objectives of the project is to renforce preexisting collaboration with Egyptian partner and to transfer specific expertise and knowledge through the use of IAMC, CNR infrastructures: that is, in particular, the laboratory of molecular biology and the aquaculture experimental facility. The latter is a modern structure, equipped with 12 indoor circular tanks (1,4 m3 each) each provided with a seawater flow-through system and aeration/oxygenation system. The structure is Authorized by Italian Ministry of Health to do Animal Experimentation.
Moreover, the project aims, also, to transfer knowledge on new frontiers in aquafeed and produce results applicable in aquaculture industry.
The project propose to study the effect of Hermetia illucens meal and rice protein meal, as fishmeal partial substitute and to evaluate the effects on fish growth performances and fish health. In particular the project aims to achieve the following to achieve the following specific objectives:
1.Evaluation of effects of feeding on gut microbiota.
2.Evaluation of effects of feeding on fish body composition;
3.Evaluation of effects of feeding on fish antioxidant capacity;
4.Evaluation of effects of feeding on non-specific immune parameters (lysozyme activity, nitric oxide, serum bactericidal);
5.Evaluation of effects of feeding on the intestinal cytokines gene expression (IL-1b, IL-10, TGFb and TNFa);
6.Evaluation of effects of feeding on appetite-related gene expression (Ghrelin expression)

Last update: 18/06/2025