A recent study conducted at the Department of Aquaculture, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University in Turkey, highlights the promising potential of Chlorella sp. and Schizochytrium sp. extracts as sustainable additives in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) diets.
These extracts, when used in combination, demonstrated a significant synergistic effect during a 60-day trial. Improvements were observed in growth performance, body composition, and the expression of genes associated with digestion, antioxidant defence, and the immune system.
Th experiment took place at the University’s Fisheries Experimental Unit. A total of 180 rainbow trout, each weighing 9 grams, were divided across four tanks. Each group was fed a different diet: a control diet (commercial standard with no additives), a diet supplemented with 0.5% Chlorella sp. extract, another with 0.5% Schizochytrium sp. extract, and a combined diet containing 0.25% of each extract.
The findings revealed that trout on the combined diet achieved the highest final weight of 27 grams, significantly outperforming the other groups in key metrics such as weight gain, specific growth rate, thermal growth coefficient, and protein efficiency.
Furthermore, the group fed the microalgae blend exhibited higher crude protein levels, indicating improved body quality. On a molecular level, there was increased expression of the growth hormone gene GH-I, alongside genes linked to digestion and antioxidant and immune defences.
These results suggest that combining Chlorella sp. and Schizochytrium sp. offers natural and sustainable alternative for aquaculture.
Reference:
B. Karataş, Effects of Chlorella sp. and Schizochytrium sp. extracts on growth indices, body composition, and gene expression profiles in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part B (2024)
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