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Food supply

Functional Aquafeeds Enhance Performance and Immunity in Farmed Species

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from the University of Porto have unveiled new findings on fish research, specifically focusing on the potential of functional aquafeeds in enhancing performance and immunity in farmed species. The study, published in the journal Fishes, explores the effects of *Asparagopsis taxiformis* supplementation on central metabolic pathways in farmed *Diplodus sargus*. The research highlights the importance of climate-smart dietary strategies in optimizing production and resilience in farmed marine fish.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study assessed the effects of *Asparagopsis taxiformis* supplementation on central metabolic pathways in farmed *Diplodus sargus* under optimal and suboptimal temperature conditions.
  • Results showed that seaweed supplementation had a beneficial effect on the fish's primary metabolome, with 1.5% supplementation maintaining a balanced primary metabolome under optimal temperature conditions.
  • 3.0% supplementation most effectively mitigated the adverse effects of acute thermal stress during a marine heatwave.
  • The findings highlight the nutritive and functional potential of *A. taxiformis* supplementation in aquafeeds for marine omnivorous fish species.
  • The research emphasizes the importance of evaluating functional aquafeeds under suboptimal rearing conditions.
  • Marta Dias, CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, was the lead researcher on this project.
  • Additional authors on this research include Isa Marmelo, Carla Antonio, Ana M. Rodrigues, Antonio Marques, Mario S. Diniz, and Ana Luisa Maulvault.

Statistics:

  • 1.5% *Asparagopsis taxiformis* supplementation maintained a balanced primary metabolome under optimal temperature conditions.
  • 3.0% *A. taxiformis* supplementation most effectively mitigated the adverse effects of acute thermal stress during a marine heatwave.
  • The study analyzed the effects of *A. taxiformis* supplementation on central metabolic pathways in farmed *Diplodus sargus* under optimal and suboptimal temperature conditions.

Sources:

  • Dias, M., et al. "Asparagopsis taxiformis Feed Supplementation as a Tool to Improve the Resilience of Farmed Diplodus sargus to Marine Heatwave Events-A Metabolomics Approach." Fishes, 2025, 10(7): 350. (Fishes - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/fishes)
  • NewsRx. "Research from University of Porto Reveals New Findings on Fish Research (Asparagopsis taxiformis Feed Supplementation as a Tool to Improve the Resilience of Farmed Diplodus sargus to Marine Heatwave Events-A Metabolomics Approach)." Life Science Weekly, August 12, 2025; p 5138.

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