article · Antioxidants
Adding omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to Nile tilapia feed benefits fish health and enriches flesh quality, but these fatty acids degrade rapidly through oxidation. To address this instability, omega-3 fatty acids were incorporated into nanoparticles and tested as a dietary supplement at concentrations of 0, 1, 2, and 3 grammes per kilogramme of feed. Fish receiving 2 and 3 grammes per kilogramme exhibited better weight gain and feed conversion efficiency. Furthermore, higher supplementation levels increased omega-3 accumulation in fillets while lowering oxidative markers such as hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, and reactive oxygen species. When fish were exposed to the pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila, the nano-formulation suppressed several inflammatory and bacterial virulence genes, increased the expression of autophagy-related genes, and lowered mTOR expression. Overall, dietary omega-3 nanoparticles enhanced growth performance, improved fillet nutritional value, and boosted resistance to bacterial challenge.
Farming tilapia requires feed strategies that maintain fish health and yield nutritious products without rapid spoilage. Nano-encapsulation protects unstable omega-3 fatty acids from oxidative degradation, enabling better uptake by the fish. This approach simultaneously enhances fish growth, fortifies the nutritional value of fillets for consumers, and protects stocks against common bacterial infections in aquaculture facilities.
This research provides applied laboratory evidence for aquafeed manufacturers looking to develop fortified fish feeds using nano-encapsulated fatty acids. The findings demonstrate enhanced fillet quality and disease management against Aeromonas hydrophila in Nile tilapia. The technology appears to be at an applied research stage, having been tested in feeding and challenge trials, but it requires pilot manufacturing and industrial scale testing before commercial adoption.
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In modern aquaculture, enriching Nile tilapia’s diet with omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) not only plays an important role in its general health but also fortifies its fillet with omega-3-PUFAs. However, the major challenge affecting their delivery is their high instability due to oxidative deterioration. Thus, the prospective incorporation of omega-3-PUFAs into nanocarriers can enhance their stability and bioactivity. In this regard, the effect of reformulated omega-3-NPs was investigated on Nile tilapia’s performance, flesh antioxidant stability, immunity, and disease resistance. Four fish groups supplemented with omega-3-PUFAs-loaded nanoparticles (omega-3 NPs) at levels of 0, 1, 2, and 3 g/kg diet and at the end of feeding trial fish challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. Fish performance (weight gain and feed conversion) was improved in groups supplemented with omega-3-NPs (2 and 3 g/kg diet). The deposition of omega-3-PUFAs in fish flesh elevated with increasing dietary omega-3-NPs. Simultaneously the oxidative markers (H2O2, MDA, and reactive oxygen species) in fish flesh were reduced, especially with higher omega-3-NPs. Post-challenge, downregulation of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and caspase-1 were noticed after dietary supplementation of omega-3-NPs. Moreover, mRNA expression of autophagy-related genes was upregulated while the mTOR gene was downregulated with higher omega-3 NPs levels. Lower expression of A. hydrophila ahyI and ahyR genes were detected with omega-3 NPs supplementation. In conclusion, omega-3-NPs application can fortify tilapia flesh with omega-3-PUFAs and augment its performance, immunity, and disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila.
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DOI: 10.3390/antiox11081523
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