Microbial and genetically engineered oils as replacements for fish oil in aquaculture feeds

Citation

Sprague M, Betancor MB & Tocher DR (2017) Microbial and genetically engineered oils as replacements for fish oil in aquaculture feeds. Biotechnology Letters, 39 (11), pp. 1599-1609. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-017-2402-6

Abstract
As the global population grows more of our fish and seafood are being farmed. Fish are the main dietary source of the omega-3 (n-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids, but these cannot be produced in sufficient quantities as are now required for human health. Farmed fish have traditionally been fed a diet consisting of fishmeal and fish oil, rich in n-3 LC-PUFA. However, the increase in global aquaculture production has resulted in these finite and limited marine ingredients being replaced with sustainable alternatives of terrestrial origin that are devoid of n-3 LC-PUFA. Consequently, the nutritional value of the final product has been partially compromised with EPA and DHA levels both falling. Recent calls from the salmon industry for new sources of n-3 LC-PUFA have received significant commercial interest. Thus, this review explores the technologies being applied to producede novon-3 LC-PUFA sources, namely microalgae and genetically engineered oilseed crops, and how they may be used in aquafeeds to ensure that farmed fish remain a healthy component of the human diet.

Keywords
Alternative n-3 LC-PUFA sources; Aquaculture; EPA and DHA; Farmed Fish; Human health; Oils from transgenic plants; Polyunsaturated fatty acids

Journal
Biotechnology Letters: Volume 39, Issue 11

People

Dr Monica Betancor

Associate Professor, Institute of Aquaculture

Dr Matthew Sprague

Lecturer in Nutrition, Institute of Aquaculture