Pre-mortem quality in aquaculture encompasses the condition of fish before harvest, which directly influences the final product’s texture, taste, shelf life, and safety. Factors like stress, health, nutrition, and environmental conditions are crucial to achieving optimal pre-mortem quality, especially for species like gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), a key species in Mediterranean aquaculture.
This study investigated the effects of bioactive feed additives, including extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) from chlorophyte Graesiella sp., Aloe vera and Zingiber officinale (ginger) on the pre-mortem quality of gilthead sea bream. The aim was to assess whether these natural additives, sourced from both aquatic and terrestrial origins, could enhance fish health and product quality without compromising physiological well-being under rearing conditions. Key parameters evaluated included muscle composition, antioxidant status, plasma biochemistry, and liver histology.
Results revealed that EPSs from Graesiella sp. did not alter biochemical or histological parameters but offered protection against BPA-induced toxicity. Supplementation with Aloe vera at 0.5% enhanced hepatic IGFs levels and expression without affecting other parameters while ginger at 2% improved hepatic antioxidant capacity, reduced plasma cholesterol and triglyceride and increased resistance to Flavobacterium maritimus. These findings suggest that natural functional additives have the potential to improve the pre-mortem quality of gilthead sea bream.
Further collaborative studies between the Laboratory of Blue Biotechnology and Aquatic Bioproducts and the Aquaculture Laboratory are recommended to optimize additive applications and enhance aquaculture product quality.
Key words: Bioactive feed additives, Pre-mortem, Quality, Sparus aurata