Innovations in Aquaculture Sustainability and Endangered Aquatic Species Conservation: Advances in Reproduction, New Aquafeed Formulations, Sustainable Farming Systems, Emerging Contaminants, and Waste Treatment and Revalorization

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Aquatic Animals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2024 | Viewed by 11355

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Life and Environmental Sciences (DiSVA), Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
Interests: aquaculture; fish nutrition; fish physiology; alternative aquafeed ingredients

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Life and Environmental Sciences (DiSVA), Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
Interests: aquaculture; fish physiology; fish nutrition; fish reproduction; insect meal; alternative protein sources; microplastics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Due to the ongoing aquaculture expansion, there is a necessity for sustainable and healthy food production with limited environmental impact. We are glad to announce that we are opening a new Special Issue to provide international, peer-reviewed articles for the research community engaged in different aspects of the aquaculture sector. Studies should be focused on aquatic organisms of commercial interest or endangered aquatic species as well as aquatic experimental models, considering their whole life cycle. For that reason, this Special Issue will focus on: (i) advances in reproduction; (ii) the production of alternative ingredients for aquafeeds and innovative/sustainable dietary formulations; (iii) possible sources of contaminants along the supply chain including micro and nanoplastics, heavy metals, and others in both farmed and wild aquatic species of commercial interest; (iv) innovative and eco-friendly farming systems such as multitrophicaquaculture and aquaponics; and (v) treatment/purification technology of aquaculture wastes (including water) and waste revalorization. Research and/or review articles are welcomed.

Dr. Matteo Zarantoniello
Prof. Dr. Ike Olivotto
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • aquaculture
  • aquafeeds
  • contaminants
  • farming systems
  • wastes treatment
  • microplastics
  • sustainability
  • wild aquatic species

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 2409 KiB  
Article
A Comprehensive Biochemical Characterization of Hybrid Grouper Larvae (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus♂) during Yolk-Sac Larval Development
by Xiaoqiang Gao, Shuquan Cao, Rongjie Chen, Fan Fei, Wenyang Li, Xianhong Zhang, Zhiwen Zhu and Baoliang Liu
Animals 2023, 13(24), 3801; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13243801 - 09 Dec 2023
Viewed by 871
Abstract
To investigate the shifts in the biochemical composition of hybrid grouper during the early larval stages, we collected samples at various developmental milestones, spanning from newly hatched larvae (stage I) to 4 days after hatching (stage V). Our findings revealed several notable trends: [...] Read more.
To investigate the shifts in the biochemical composition of hybrid grouper during the early larval stages, we collected samples at various developmental milestones, spanning from newly hatched larvae (stage I) to 4 days after hatching (stage V). Our findings revealed several notable trends: (1) The total length of hybrid grouper larvae exhibited a significant increase as the yolk-sac absorption progressed from stage I to V. Concurrently, there was a marked decrease in yolk volume and oil volume during the transition from stage I to III, followed by a gradual decline from stage III to V. (2) Dry weight and total lipid content displayed a rapid reduction throughout the larval development period, while the total protein content exhibited a declining trend. (3) The concentrations of triacylglycerols and wax esters/steryl esters decreased considerably, particularly at stage V. However, no differences were observed among the contents of ketones, hydrocarbons, and sterols. (4) As yolk-sac larvae developed from stage I to V, a significant reduction was observed in the levels of essential amino acids (EAAs), such as leucine, valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, glycine, alanine, serine, proline, and tyrosine. This trend was also observed for non-EAAs and total amino acids, with fluctuations in the content of other amino acids. (5) There was a significant decrease in the levels of specific fatty acids, including C16:0, saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), C18:0, 18:1n-9, and C20:4n-6. In contrast, the contents of C22:6n-3, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), n-3 PUFA, n-6 PUFA, and the combination of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) + eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), as well as the DHA/EPA ratio, remained stable from stage I to III but declined thereafter. (6) During the early developmental stages, the utilization sequence of fatty acids followed a pattern of prioritizing SFAs, followed by MUFAs, n-6 PUFA, and n-3 PUFA. These findings provide further insights into the nutritional priorities of hybrid grouper larvae during their early development, with a particular emphasis on lipids and fatty acids as vital energy sources. Additionally, our results highlight variations in the efficiency of utilization among different types of fatty acids, while protein utilization remained relatively stable, characterized by the selective consumption of amino acid content. Full article
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14 pages, 2810 KiB  
Article
Preliminary Study to Assess the Impact of Dietary Rutin on Growth, Antioxidant Capacity, and Intestinal Health of Yellow Catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco
by Apeng Liu, Xing Lu, Zhehui Ji, Lixue Dong, Jiayuan Jiang, Juan Tian, Hua Wen, Zhen Xu, Guohuan Xu and Ming Jiang
Animals 2023, 13(21), 3386; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13213386 - 31 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1094
Abstract
This research aimed to examine the effects of dietary rutin supplementation on growth, body composition, serum biochemical indexes, liver enzyme activities and antioxidant-related genes expression, intestinal morphology, and microbiota composition of juvenile yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco). Rutin was added to the [...] Read more.
This research aimed to examine the effects of dietary rutin supplementation on growth, body composition, serum biochemical indexes, liver enzyme activities and antioxidant-related genes expression, intestinal morphology, and microbiota composition of juvenile yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco). Rutin was added to the basal diets at doses of 0 (control), 100 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg. Each diet was fed randomly into three tanks, each tank containing 30 fish with an initial body mass of (10.27 ± 0.62) g. The feeding trial was conducted in an indoor recirculating aquiculture system at 28 °C for 56 days. According to the findings, the inclusion of 100 mg/kg rutin significantly improved the growth performance of yellow catfish and reduced the feed conversion ratio; however, the growth promotion effect was diminished when the diet was supplemented with 500 mg/kg of rutin. The inclusion of 500 mg/kg rutin in the diet significantly reduced the level of crude lipid and protein of the whole fish. Serum activities of alkaline phosphatase, albumin, and total protein were all significantly increased when fish were fed the diet supplemented with 500 mg/kg rutin, while serum glucose was significantly lower compared to the control group. Meanwhile, dietary rutin at a concentration of 500 mg/kg significantly induced the hepatic mRNA expressions of antioxidant-related genes (including Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, CAT, GPx) and inflammatory-associated genes (including TNFα, IL-10, LYZ). Incorporating rutin at doses of 100 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg into the diets resulted in a notable increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, while simultaneously reducing malondiadehyde (MDA) content in the liver and intestine. Intestinal villus height, villus width, muscular thickness, and lumen diameter were significantly increased with the administration of 500 mg/kg of dietary rutin. Gut microbial diversity analysis indicated that supplementing diets with 100 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg rutin significantly enhanced the abundance of Cetobacterium while decreasing Plesiomonas richness. In conclusion, dietary rutin levels at 100 mg/kg could enhance the growth, antioxidant capability, and intestinal health of yellow catfish under present experimental conditions. Full article
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17 pages, 6409 KiB  
Article
A Window of Vulnerability: Chronic Environmental Stress Does Not Impair Reproduction in the Swordfish Xiphias gladius
by Giorgia Gioacchini, Sara Filippi, Rossella Debernardis, Luca Marisaldi, Riccardo Aiese Cigliano and Oliana Carnevali
Animals 2023, 13(2), 269; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13020269 - 12 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1531
Abstract
Xiphias gladius is an important fishing resource. The Mediterranean stock is affected by overfishing and is declining. In this light, the aim of this study was to evaluate the cross-talk among metabolism, stress response, immune system and reproduction in immature and mature females, [...] Read more.
Xiphias gladius is an important fishing resource. The Mediterranean stock is affected by overfishing and is declining. In this light, the aim of this study was to evaluate the cross-talk among metabolism, stress response, immune system and reproduction in immature and mature females, coupling histological and transcriptomic approaches. The transcriptome of livers from 3 immature and 3 mature females was analyzed using the Artificial Intelligence RNA-Seq. For the histological analysis, ovary and liver samples were collected from 50 specimens caught during the reproductive season in the Mediterranean Sea. A total of 750 genes were differentially expressed between the livers. The gene ontologtabey analysis showed 91 upregulated and 161 downregulated biological process GO terms. Instead, the KEGG enrichment analysis revealed 15 enriched pathways. Furthermore, the binding occurring between estrogen receptors and aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator, upregulated in mature females, could be liable for the inhibition of detoxification pathway. Indeed, at the histological level, mature females showed a higher density and number of melanomacrophage centers, biomarkers of stress. The present findings reveal the cross-talk among response to environmental stressors, metabolism and reproduction, highlighting that mature females invest a lot of energy in reproduction instead of immune response and detoxification. Full article
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23 pages, 2505 KiB  
Article
Spirulina-enriched Substrate to Rear Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Prepupae as Alternative Aquafeed Ingredient for Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Diets: Possible Effects on Zootechnical Performances, Gut and Liver Health Status, and Fillet Quality
by Stefano Ratti, Matteo Zarantoniello, Giulia Chemello, Miriam Giammarino, Francesco Alessandro Palermo, Paolo Cocci, Gilberto Mosconi, Maria Vittoria Tignani, Giulia Pascon, Gloriana Cardinaletti, Deborah Pacetti, Ancuta Nartea, Giuliana Parisi, Paola Riolo, Alessia Belloni and Ike Olivotto
Animals 2023, 13(1), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010173 - 02 Jan 2023
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3046
Abstract
In the present study, an organic substrate (coffee silverskin) enriched with spirulina (Arthrospira platensis; 15% w/w), as a source of lipids and bioactive molecules, was used to rear the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) prepupae. Three [...] Read more.
In the present study, an organic substrate (coffee silverskin) enriched with spirulina (Arthrospira platensis; 15% w/w), as a source of lipids and bioactive molecules, was used to rear the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) prepupae. Three grossly isonitrogenous, isoproteic, isolipidic and isoenergetic experimental diets for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles were then produced: a control diet (HM0) mostly including fish meal and fish oil, and two other test diets named HM3 and HM20, in which 3 or 20% of the marine ingredients were substituted with full fat black soldier fly prepupae meal (HM), respectively. Experimental diets were provided for 6 weeks, and at the end of the trial the physiological responses and marketable traits of the fish were investigated using a multidisciplinary approach. Generally, all test diets were well accepted, and fish growth, gut and liver health status, and marketable characteristics were not impaired by the experimental diets. However, an increased immuno-related gene expression along with a slight reduction of fillet redness and yellowness was evident in fish from the HM20 group. Full article
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14 pages, 4103 KiB  
Article
First Evidence of Microplastics in the Yolk and Embryos of Common Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) from the Central Adriatic Sea: Evaluation of Embryo and Hatchling Structural Integrity and Development
by Giulia Chemello, Viola Faraoni, Valentina Notarstefano, Francesca Maradonna, Oliana Carnevali and Giorgia Gioacchini
Animals 2023, 13(1), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13010095 - 27 Dec 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2385
Abstract
Once they reach the aquatic environment, microplastics (MPs) are accidentally ingested by aquatic biota, thus entering the food chain with possible negative effects. The present study investigated, for the first time, MP presence in cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) eggs and their association [...] Read more.
Once they reach the aquatic environment, microplastics (MPs) are accidentally ingested by aquatic biota, thus entering the food chain with possible negative effects. The present study investigated, for the first time, MP presence in cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) eggs and their association with embryonic development. Cuttlefish eggs were sampled from four different sites along the Marche region (Senigallia, Ancona, Numana, and San Benedetto del Tronto). Embryo and hatchling biometric parameters were evaluated and the internal structural integrity was examined through histological analysis. MPs were detected and characterized in embryos and yolk samples. MPs were identified in all sites (size < 5 µm), however, their presence has not been associated with an impairment of either embryo or hatchling internal structures. Noteworthy, the highest number of MPs (in both yolk and embryo samples) were found in Numana (37% of the total amount), where the lowest hatchling size was observed. On the other hand, the highest embryo mantle length was associated with the lowest number of MPs detected (9%) in Ancona. Overall, only MP fragments and sphere types (74 and 26%, respectively) were observed, and the most frequent polymers were Polyvinyl chloride (52%), Polypropylene, and Cellulose acetate (15% both). Further studies are needed to assess the possible MP effects on the yolk quality and assimilation. Full article
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20 pages, 3363 KiB  
Article
Towards the Identification of a Suitable Commercial Diet for Carpione (Salmo carpio, Linnaeus 1758): A Multidisciplinary Study on Fish Performances, Animal Welfare and Quality Traits
by Basilio Randazzo, Matteo Zarantoniello, Giulia Secci, Filippo Faccenda, Francesca Fava, Giulia Marzorati, Alessia Belloni, Francesca Maradonna, Veronica Orazi, Roberto Cerri, Michele Povinelli, Giuliana Parisi, Elisabetta Giorgini and Ike Olivotto
Animals 2022, 12(15), 1918; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12151918 - 27 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1521
Abstract
Carpione (Salmo carpio, Linnaeus 1758) is an endangered precious endemism of Lake Garda (Northern Italy), the largest Italian lake. To date, several bottlenecks about its culture remain unsolved, including the identification of a proper growth-out diet. The aim of the present [...] Read more.
Carpione (Salmo carpio, Linnaeus 1758) is an endangered precious endemism of Lake Garda (Northern Italy), the largest Italian lake. To date, several bottlenecks about its culture remain unsolved, including the identification of a proper growth-out diet. The aim of the present study was to test four different grossly isolipidic, isoproteic, and isoenergetic diets in which the main ingredients had a different origin. Specifically, a diet currently used by local farmers for carpione culture, largely based on marine ingredients, was used as control (CTRL), while the other three diets were formulated by partially replacing marine ingredients with plant ones (VEG) or with different percentages of processed animal proteins (PAP1 and PAP2). The feeding trial was run in triplicate, over a three-month period. No significant differences in growth performance among the experimental groups were observed. However, remarkable histological alterations and inflammatory markers upregulation were observed in VEG group, while PAP inclusion played a role in attenuating inflammation and improving nutrient uptake. Fillet analyses highlighted significant differences in marketable traits and flesh fatty acid composition among the experimental groups, including the reduction of polyunsaturated fatty acids related to PAPs inclusion. In conclusion, PAPs used in the present study promoted S. carpio gut health and absorption capacity, while further studies are required to maintain proper quality traits of the final product. Full article
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