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Is it healthy to use tuna by-products for aquaculture feed production?

Madrid, September 18th, 2024 | A study supports the healthiness of tuna by-products for aquaculture feed production.

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In the context of growing concerns about mercury exposure from fish consumption, a study conducted by researchers from the University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour in France and the Complutense University of Madrid in Spain has provided valuable information suggesting that the selenium present in these by-products can mitigate the toxic effects of this heavy metal, making it suitable as a marine ingredient in fish feeds.

This is due to the interaction between methylmercury—the form in which mercury is found in fish tissues—and selenium, an essential antioxidant that facilitates detoxification.

In the study, "Exploring Mercury Detoxification in Fish: The Role of Selenium from Tuna By-product Diets for Sustainable Aquaculture," published in the scientific journal Journal of Hazardous Materials, the researchers explore how diets based on tuna by-products, which are rich in selenium, can influence mercury detoxification in fish, specifically in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Through an innovative approach of biomolecular speciation, the researchers analysed key organs of fish exposed to different combinations of mercury and selenium, observing how these elements interact at a molecular level.

The study also reveals the trophic transfer of selenoneine, a selenium antioxidant compound, which could play a protective role against mercury toxicity.

This research not only helps better understand how mercury is detoxified in fish but also enables the development of more sustainable and safer aquaculture feeds. Furthermore, it provides a scientific basis for adjusting the amounts of selenium in feeds, optimising mercury detoxification without causing negative effects on the animals.

Although the study focused on rainbow trout, the results could be applied to other aquaculture fish species, thus extending the benefits of using tuna by-products to a wider range of farmed fish.

Additionally, the findings could be applied to studies on the detoxification of other heavy metals present in aquatic ecosystems, opening new avenues of research to improve fish health and the quality of derived products.

Reference:
Khouloud El Hanafi, Tamara Fernández-Bautista, Laurent Ouerdane, Warren T. Corns, Maite Bueno, Stéphanie Fontagné-Dicharry, David Amouroux, and Zoyne Pedrero, "Exploring Mercury Detoxification in Fish: The Role of Selenium from Tuna By-product Diets for Sustainable Aquaculture," Journal of Hazardous Materials, (2024)

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