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as having a synergistic effect against oxidative and inflammatory episodes when combined in specific proportions (Quintela et al., 2013). This research was conducted to define a series of new innovative products with proven activity in various markets (nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals). One of these products has been aimed at salmon aquaculture, as a productivity-boosting input called AQUOLIVE. This product presents the capacity to reduce low-grade inflammation, thus protecting the fish from subclinical chronic inflammation episodes resulting from multiple challenges encountered during the growth cycle (e.g., potential diseases, high water temperature, elevated pathogen load, etc.). Additionally, AQUOLIVE also works as a functional antioxidant, thereby contributing to preventing or attenuating oxidative stress in salmon. By counteracting inflammation and oxidation in key organs (or tissues) at critical times, AQUOLIVE contributes to preserving gut integrity and improving lipid (energy) metabolism (lipid accumulation) in farmed salmon. The benefits of this product have already been tested in a commercial fish farming setting in Chile. The results (Table 1) showed an improvement in both production parameters (9% increase in FCR) and meat quality parameters (8% increase in percentage of premium pieces). Additional improvements associated with the fillet quality-higher fat content and better ω6:ω3 ratio, in line with EU salmon quality needs, were also observed. These benefits result from the double bioactive effect observed in olive phytochemicals (antiinflammatory and antioxidant).
Demonstration scale validation With the objective of fully validating the health benefits of olive bioactive compounds in salmon aquaculture, Natac is conducting a series of salmon trials covering the entire fish production cycle, including the smoltification phase. It started a demonstration sea-cage trial in Norway last September that will study the effect of the AQUOLIVE product in salmon from 600 g to 5 kg. In parallel, a smoltification tank trial will be performed to evaluate the benefits of olive bioactives in this specific challenging phase of salmon aquaculture. During both trials, a complete set of variables will be analyzed: zootechnical performance parameters, salmon meat quality, histology, biochemical, and transcriptomic analyses.
These trials are being conducted in collaboration with some of the most prestigious partners in the salmon aquaculture sector, such as LetSea – a reference Norwegian trial station located in Sandnessjøen –, Nofima Feed Technology Centre, the Spanish Research Centre IRTA (Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology) and the University of Barcelona.
Conclusions The valorization of agri-industrial biomass offers great opportunities for development of new solutions to tackle current and future aquaculture challenges, providing the industry with new phytogenics capable of improving fish health and welfare. The AQUOLIVE project will link olive farmers from southern Europe with Norwegian salmon producers through the valorization of olive biomass and the improvement of salmon quality and productivity, on a circular economy basis. Acknowledgements
AQUOLIVE is funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant Agreement no. 830202.
References available on request
More information: José Ma Pinilla Project Manager Natac Group, Spain E: jmpinilla@natacgroup.com
José Carlos Quintela Chief Scientific Officer Natac Group, Spain E: jcquintela@natacgroup.com
Aquafeed: Advances in Processing & Formulation Vol 12 Issue 1 2020