TITLE
Algae as functional ingredients in Senegalese sole microdiets
JOURNAL
Hatchery Feed & Management
AUTHORS
Maria Morais, Diogo Peixoto, Daniel Afonso, Helena Abreu, Joana Silva, João Navalho, Wilson Pinto, Benjamin Costas, Ana Gonçalves
ABSTRACT
Micro- and macro-algae are rich sources of bioactive compounds that can influence fish growth, nutrient utilization, resistance to diseases and, as a natural source of antioxidants, have beneficial effects in overall health (Sáez et al., 2020; Sharma et al., 2019). In addition to these factors, their nutritional composition and sustainable nature have made them great candidates for alternative feed additives in fish diets. Fish larvae and other early stages of development are more susceptible to oxidative stress due to their high metabolic rate associated with very fast growth and other factors (Sharma et al., 2019). This leads to pressure on fish fitness and may cause high mortalities due to larvae´s limited capacity to respond to daily challenges derived from a complex environment and dietary changes. Here, the application of algae as a feed ingredient may have a positive influence on larvae’s early resistance, immune capacity and physiologic output.
