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Lipid oxidation is a very complex and important event threatening the quality of foods especially of those containing highly unsaturated fats. Fish are the main source of polyunsaturated fatty acids that, unfortunately, are highly susceptible to degradation process, such as oxidation. Fish supply chain generally involves many steps and each of them together with their interaction might play a central role in muscle quality maintenance. From this review emerged that antioxidants supplementation diet can play a central role to limit the detrimental effects of stress (pre-slaughter or at killing) and storage. In this sense, lycopene shows the best antioxidant activity during stressful conditions while α-tocopherol acts preferentially in long-term frozen storage. Stress just before or at slaughter can greatly threaten flesh quality both immediately and after storage by inducing numerous metabolic pathways, that often involve the production of very reactive molecular species, such as hydroperoxides. A common operation such as bleeding can significantly reduce both reactive molecules and haemoglobin (Hb), which is recognised as a great pro-oxidant. Temperature and duration are two critical points of storage phase which has to be considered even by consumers. Frozen storage at very low temperatures (−30 °C, −40 °C) confirms to be the best storage practise. Finally, cooking can compromise aromatic profile of cooking fillets. Thus, feeding antioxidant, reducing stress both during pre-slaughter practise and at killing, good storage practises, if associated with an appropriate cooking method (low temperature, short time) seems to be the clues for preserving the fragile lipid fraction from farm to fork.

PurposeFed aquaculture has long been based on fishmeal (FM) as the main protein source for carnivorous species, but when its demand and price began increasing, both researchers and the industry started to search for alternative protein sources to meet the challenge of securing aquafeed. Consequently, this study has recourse to life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology to identify any critical points and improvement strategies in the current production of four partial substitutes for FM namely dried microalgae biomass from Tetraselmis suecica (DMB_TETRA) and Tisochrysis lutea (DMB_TISO); insect meal (IM) from Hermetia illucens larvae; and poultry by-product meal (PBM).MethodsSystem boundaries are from the cradle to the mill gate, thus including the production phase (and the related upstream activities) and the subsequent biomass processing into unpackaged dried meal. One tonne of protein content was chosen as functional unit. The inventory was based on foreground data provided by the industry and complemented by background data sourced from the Ecoinvent v 3.4 and Agribalyse® v 1.3 LCI databases. The environmental effects were assessed considering five impacts namely global warming (kg CO2 eq.), acidification (kg SO2 eq.) and eutrophication (kg PO43− eq.) estimated via the CML-IA method, plus cumulative energy use (MJ) and water use (m3 m−2 month−1). Two alternative scenarios per production chain were considered in order to increase the robustness of the results.Results and discussionThe performance-based ranking indicated the PBM and IM scenarios as the most sustainable options. Both microalgal systems scored the worst performances in four impacts out of five, with eutrophication impact as the only exception. The nutrients provided to poultry and insects (i.e. the feed) as well as to microalgae (the carbon source and the fertilizers) were the main contributors to impacts, together with energy consumption. Despite being cultivated with identical technologies, the two microalgae showed different performances due to their different annual yields and to different consumable goods, water and energy consumptions.ConclusionsThe results provided a ranking of these four partial FM substitutes and allowed to make useful considerations on how to improve their environmental sustainability. To this regard, the impacts of IM and DMB production could be reduced by improving nutrient efficiency and reducing energy needs. On the other hand, PBM production is already optimized and is not expected to change substantially in the future years.

In tropical and subtropical regions, as well as in the internal and/or marginal Mediterranean areas, one of the most important problems related to animal production is represented by the inadequate nutritional supplies. The low productivity of the animals, often connected to reduced annual growth, is, in fact, not infrequently attributable to the low nitrogen content and the high fiber content of the local plant species and crop residues that constitute the base ingredients of the rations commonly adopted by farmers. The use of the supplementation with arboreal and shrub fodder, although often containing anti-nutritional factors and toxins that limit its use, could be a profitable way to alleviate the nutritional deficiencies of the basic diets. Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) De Wit is native to Central America and widely naturalized in the majority of Latin American countries. It is a legume suitable for tropical and subtropical environments including the countries of the Mediterranean area. Moreover, its spread is desirable if we consider the multiple uses to which it is suitable, the considerable amount of biomass produced, and its role in preserving the environment. The aim of this work was to highlight the characteristics of Leucaena that can justify its wide diffusion. A structured analysis of strengths and weaknesses was performed accordingly. Being a good protein source for feeding livestock, it could be a species to be introduced in the inland areas of the Mediterranean countries as an alternative protein source; the limit represented by the presence of anti-nutritional factors could be overcome by feed processing and by launching targeted research programs.

This paper reviews current knowledge on two feedstuffs, that is, insect meal and fish by-products, as alternatives to conventional animal protein sources. After an introductory part that highlights the need for sustainable development of animal production, the alternative protein sources are discussed. In particular, after providing some indications on their production and supply focussing on EU, a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis was performed to identify the key factors that could help or impair the development of both protein sources production sectors. Finally, future perspectives are presented. The use of processed animal proteins derived from insects in farmed fish feeding is recognised by the EU legislation that authorises the use of proteins from seven insect species and the allowed substrates to rear insects. Insects have several advantages in nutritional value and the amino acid composition of their proteins generally meet animal requirements for good growth and health. The SWOT analysis indicated that insect meals can be considered as feed functional ingredients with beneficial properties that depend on the insect species, rearing system adopted, and the substrate used for their growth. Insects are expected to be increasingly used as a replacement for conventional animal-derived proteins, especially in aquafeeds. In the section regarding fishery and aquaculture by-products, the potential use of raw materials obtained during seafood processing is discussed. Peptides and amino acids recovered from as hydrolysed proteins can be used in animal feeds to partially substitute conventional protein feedstuffs thus providing nutrients, bioactive compounds and feed additives for animals. The SWOT analysis identified opportunities and weaknesses. Both the alternative protein sources are promising alternative feed ingredients for livestock production. Highlights The sustainable development of animal production sector needs alternative protein sources for feeds formulation. Insects and fishery- and aquaculture by-products represent optimal alternative protein sources. A SWOT analysis has identified the key factors for the development of both protein sources production sectors.

This study investigated the effects of dietary inclusion levels of full-fat Hermetia illucens prepupae meal (H) on growth and gastrointestinal integrity in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). A 98-day study was conducted using triplicate groups of trout (initial body weight, 137 ± 10.5 g) kept in 1-m3 tanks in a flow-through well water system. Three dietary treatments were prepared: one based on fishmeal and purified protein-rich vegetable ingredients (H0), and two experimental diets including graded levels of H meal (25% and 50%, referred to as H25 and H50, respectively). At the end of the feeding trial, no differences were observed in growth performance and plasma metabolite levels, with the biometric data confirmed by the liver expression of the genes involved in somatic growth regulation (igf1 and mstn1a). In the H50 group, a three-fold up regulation of liver hsp70 was observed. An activation of the stress/immune response (il-10, tnf-α, and tlr-5) was observed in medium intestine in the H25 and H50 groups (p < 0.05) together with a villi length reduction detected through histological analyses. Liver histology and Fourier Transform Infrared Imaging (FTIRI) spectroscopy highlighted an increase in lipid deposition. These findings suggest that caution should be taken into account when 50% replacement of conventional ingredients with H is selected.

Aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture (fish) and hydroponic cultivation of plants. This review examines fish welfare in relation to rearing water quality, fish feed and fish waste and faeces to develop a sustainable aquaponic system where the co-cultured organisms, fish, bacteria in biofilters and plants, should be considered holistically in all aquaponics operations. Water quality parameters are the primary environmental consideration for optimizing aquaponic production and for directly impacting fish welfare/health issues and plant needs. In aquaponic systems, the uptake of nutrients should be maximised for the healthy production of the plant biomass but without neglecting the best welfare conditions for the fish in terms of water quality. Measures to reduce the risks of the introduction or spread of diseases or infection and to increase biosecurity in aquaponics are also important. In addition, the possible impacts of allelochemicals, i.e., chemicals released by the plants, should be taken into account. Moreover, the effect of diet digestibility, faeces particle size and settling ratio on water quality should be carefully considered. As available information is very limited, research should be undertaken to better elucidate the relationship between appropriate levels of minerals needed by plants, and fish metabolism, health and welfare. It remains to be investigated whether and to what extent the concentrations of suspended solids that can be found in aquaponic systems can compromise the health of fish. Water quality, which directly affects fish health and well-being, is the key factor to be considered in all aquaponic systems.

This study was conducted in the Third River for the extended period from January 2022 to December 2022. A total of 327 Cyprinus carpio fish were collected. The measurements were carried out to show the monthly changes in food selection, some of the functional traits that influence feeding were also measured. The results showed that the highest rate of stomach values containing food was found in the months of May and July, while the highest level of feeding intensity was recorded in November. The results of the study suggested that the standard length for tested fish was 342.5±88.5.mm.  Head length, and head depth were 77.91± 18.12 mm and 64.91± 15.03 mm consecutively. The study concluded that the functional traits exhibited by common carp improved their ability to adapt to their environment and that their status is not sensitive in the study area.

By answering the need for increasing sustainability in aquaculture, the present study aimed to compare growth, gene expression involved in appetite regulation, physical characteristics, and chemical composition of Sparus aurata fed alternative protein sources. Fish were fed ten iso-proteic, iso-lipidic, and isoenergetic diets: a vegetable-based (CV) and a marine ingredient-rich (CF) diet were set as control diets. The others were prepared by replacing graded levels (10, 20 or 40%) of the vegetable proteins in the CV with proteins from a commercial defatted Hermetia illucens pupae meal (H), poultry by-product meal (PBM) singly (H10, H20, H40, P20, P40) or in combination (H10P30), red swamp crayfish meal (RC10) and from a blend (2:1, w:w) of Tisochrysis lutea and Tetraselmis suecica (MA10) dried biomasses. The increase in ghre gene expression observed in MA10 fed fish matched with increased feed intake and increased feed conversion ratio. Besides, the MA10 diet conferred a lighter aspect to the fish skin (p < 0.05) than the others. Overall, no detrimental effects of H, PBM, and RC meal included in the diets were observed, and fish fatty acid profile resulted as comparable among these groups and CV, thus demonstrating the possibility to introduce H, PBM, and RC in partial replacement of vegetable proteins in the diet for Sparus aurata.

The expected future demand for highly nutrient animal food products will push the animal production system to search for new sources of high-quality protein feedstuffs. In this scenario, economic and environmental issues will have to be considered while reducing the competition with the plant-based human food chains. Legume grains and some oilseed cakes, by-products from the oil industry, are the main protein sources for ruminants and terrestrial monogastrics such as pigs and poultry. Their relevant role will hold in the next decades, but it is necessary to increase the diversification of sources that can be grown profitably throughout the world, including European countries. Microalgae are a promising source of protein and other nutrients for animal feeding. However, an amazing richness of biologically active substances makes these organisms very interesting as feed ingredients, as their role go far beyond the supply of nutrients. Due to the limited usage of microalgae as human foodstuffs or food ingredients, low competition between microalgae-based feed and food chains is predictable. This review aims to synthesise current knowledge on minor pulses and other protein-rich plant products and microalgae, as alternative ingredients to the conventional animal protein sources, focussing on their production, availability, and nutritional values. Points of strength, weakness, opportunity and threat related to the use of these protein sources in animal feeding are separately analysed through a SWOT approach to underlie future needs in terms of research and/or technological development that could help valorise these nutrient sources as feed ingredients.

In recent years, European consumers have increasingly concentrated their fish consumption on a few marine species, which have a high monetary value. Unfortunately, the intensive fishing pressure exerted on few species can jeopardize the stability of marine ecosystems and produce a huge amount of discarded fishes. To address this, promoting the consumption of low-commercial-value fish could be a solution to foster responsible and sustainable consumption. As these species are not easy to handle and require time and cooking skills to be prepared, we tested the use of implicit conditioning tools to promote the consumption of low-market-value fish in restaurants. Therefore, a choice experiment was conducted on a sample of 774 Italian consumers. The participants were randomly divided into two information treatments plus a control group. They were presented with a menu containing one option with low-market-value fish species, selecting fish soup as a traditional and recognizable dish, thereby proposing a familiar dish option that can include such species and facilitate consumer acceptance. The low-market-value fish option was accompanied by a small image and a message highlighting its sustainability (first group) or traditionality (second group). The results indicated that the instrument related to traditionality was the only one effective in influencing consumer choices toward the low-market-value fish option, particularly for high-income consumers. Other consumer segments, such as those who care about the environment, were not particularly susceptible to the environmental cue.