Fenogreek seeds
Researchers from the University of Murcia, in Spain, have conducted a study that reveals how supplementing gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) juveniles’ feed with fenugreek improves growth and strengthens their antioxidant defences, promoting more sustainable practices in Mediterranean aquaculture.
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a plant from the legume family that is widely used in Mediterranean cuisine and traditional medicine for its anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
The sedes of this plant are rich in proteins, minerals, and natural antioxidants, such as flavonoids and polyphenols. For this reason, researchers at the University of Murcia decided to explore it as a nutritional alternative in feeds for gilthead sea bream, one of the most emblematic specices in Mediterranean aquaculture.
The results of the study, recently published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology, revealed significant benefits for the growth and antioxidant status of juvenile gilthead bream weighing around 45 grams when fenugreek was incorporated into their diet.
For eight weeks, the researchers fed the fish with diets that were formulated with fishmeal and fish oil, vegetable oils, wheat gluten, cereals, legumes, oilseed, vitamins, and minerals. In addition, these diets were supplemented with different concentration of fenugreek: 1%, 5% and 10%. The effectiveness of these fenugreek-supplemented diets was compared to a control diet that contained the same base ingredient but no frenogreek.
The results showed that including 10% of fenugreek in the diet resulted in significantly greater growth in the fish, with an increase of 51.90%, as well as improved ability to neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.
The study also found that fish fed with fenugreek exhibited higher expression of the enzyme catalase (CAT), a key protein in protecting against oxidative damage, indicating greater resistance to environmental stress.
In light of these findings, the researchers suggest that supplementing with fenugreek would not only improve production performance but also make the fish more resilient and of better nutritional quality for the market. This natural ingredient could be considered a viable additive in feed, reducing the need for other synthetic supplements and promoting more sustainable practices in Mediterranean aquaculture.
Reference:
Jiménez-Monreal, A. M., Guardiola, F. A., Murcia, M. A., Ceballos-Francisco, D., Esteban, M. Á., & Martínez-Tomé, M. (2024). Effect of dietary fenugreek seeds on the antioxidant status of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.). Journal of Food Science and Technology.
Related
