The substitution of marine ingredients in the aquafeed industry by plant sources has led to various negative consequences in terms of zootechnical performances or animal health while the production of standard fish meals (FM) still remains the main industrial process and only source of marine ingredients in most aquafeeds.
Meanwhile, thanks to a more gentle process, Fish Protein Hydrolysates (FPH) feature major physico-chemical properties including high water solubility, emulsifying and foaming properties, water-holding and fat binding capacities These properties have tremendous interests in the aquafeed by increasing feed palatability in high plant diets and facilitating the nutrient uptake, even at low inclusion. Various studies have confirmed the positive effects on growth and feed efficiency either for farmed fish or shrimps.
Peptides derived from FPH proved to enhance various physiological benefits such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, or immunomodulatory activities. In response to specific infections either viral, bacterial or parasitic, farmed fish fed with FPH have been found to increase innate immunity and disease resistance.
This review updates the benefits of new FPH from pelagic species such as sardines and mackerels in seabass Dicentrarchus labrax and seabream Sparus aurata.