Aquaculture plays an important role in meeting the global demand for protein and fatty acids for human nutrition. The finite supply of marine ingredients has led to increased use of vegetables oils in fish aquafeed, particularly for salmonids including Atlantic salmon. While these oils can provide the fat needed for energy and growth, they lack nutritionally required omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3 LCPUFAs) and cannot completely replace fish oil in fish diets. Development of land-based alternative oil sources to safeguard global aquaculture production, while meeting the nutritional needs of both fish and human consumers, is critical.
This review summarizes data from six studies demonstrating the safe use of a new land-based ω3 canola oil (Aquaterra®) in fish feed to support both total fat and ω3 LCPUFA requirements of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), while producing fish for human consumption with adequate essential fatty acid (EFA) content to benefit nutrient needs. Safety, growth and fillet quality of fish consuming this oil were evaluated during each phase of the lifecycle. Additional large-scale trials were conducted with commercial partners to assess on-farm performance of feed containing Aquaterra.
In all cases, growth and performance were comparable to fish fed conventional fish-oil based diets and no adverse effects were attributed to the use of Aquaterra. Fatty acid deposition in muscle (fillet) reflected the feed composition (Fig.1.), resulting in accumulation of EPA and DHA and a low ω6:ω3 ratio. Evaluation of fillets showed fewer melanin deposits in salmon fed diets including Aquaterra vs. standard oils (Fig.2.). Collectively, these studies demonstrate the safe use of Aquaterra in aquaculture feed.
Inclusion of Aquaterra in salmon diets provides a sustainable source of ω3 LCPUFAs for aquaculture and ultimately human nutrition.