scientist Erik-Jan Lock, to be able to use ‘autotrophic’ algae, but it’s a challenge to ensure that enough light is provided to all algal cells as they grow, since they block light from each other when densities increase. Yeast and bacteria grow much faster than microalgae and SCP is generally considered a cheaper option for large-scale oil production. Nevertheless, several companies (Veramaris, Corbion, ADM, for example) al- ready market microalgae oil products, and Barrow says major aquafeed producers such as Cargill, Nutreco and BioMar are forming strategic partnerships with some of them.
Other sustainable feed ingredients Many companies including Protix, Ynsect and AgriProtein have already commercialised protein and oil-rich insect meal as an aquafeed ingredient, mainly using black soldier fly lar- vae and mealworms. IMR reports that seven species of insects have been approved for use in the EU for salmon feed. Insect meal is highly sustainable as the insects’ diet consists of hu- man food system waste that would otherwise go to a landfill. Indeed, insect meal production, for a variety of livestock sec- tors, is ramping up in Europe, North America, Australia and beyond. IMR scientists are currently examining methods of testing to ensure that the contents of insect meal product match the labelling in terms of the insect species, but more
importantly, that the insects have not been fed any animal products. Feeding animal products to insects is prohibited in most places in the world, as it’s prohibited for any livestock species, in order to prevent diseases related to, for example, prion transmission. Also at IMR, fermented seaweed is being investigated as an aquafeed ingredient, mostly as a functional ingredient as it only contains small amounts of protein and fat. That is, during fermentation of seaweed, Lock explains, some of the carbo- hydrates are broken down and formed into compounds, eventually seeming to enhance the growth of ‘good’ bacteria in the fish gut, a probiotic effect. However, there are many contradictory research results in this area so far. “In a feeding trial with salmon, we’ve included it up to 4%,” Lock says. “While it’s low in protein and fat, if it improves gut health, then it may be worthwhile as a feed ingredient. Fermentation is also a low-cost way to preserve seaweed, which is harvest- ed once a year. However, it’s expensive to dry and grind it.”
‘Circular feeds’ The most sustainable feed ingredients are those that come from waste, as is the case with insect feed. This is an example of ‘circular’ food production. However, if the power of nature can be harnessed, a different kind of circular aquaculture can
▶ ALL ABOUT FEED | Volume 29, No. 4, 2021 13
Although fish oil and meal make ideal feed ingre- dients for aqua- culture replace- ments are needed because of sustainability concerns.
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