Assessing the value of single-cell ingredients in aquafeeds

• Published in: Current opinion in biotechnology Vol. 76; p. 102734
• Main Authors: Carter, Chris G, Codabaccus, M Basseer
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-08-2022
• ISSN: 0958-1669; 1879-0429
• DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102734

Aquaculture is critical for ensuring global food and nutrition security, and fed-aquaculture, which depends on formulated nutritionally balanced manufactured feeds, must be sustainable. Single-cell ingredients (SCI) are predicted to play a significant role in future aquafeeds and have the potential to underpin sustainable fed-aquaculture for many species. The value of an aquafeed ingredient includes nutritional, commercial, environmental, and socioeconomic factors. Here we aim to review approaches to understanding the value of ingredients and use this to outline a practical approach for considering the use of SCI in aquafeeds. We conclude that following an initial experimental focus on nutritional value, a collaborative and iterative approach with an aquafeed manufacturer will provide the most likely route to successful commercialisation of SCI.
•Single-cell ingredients in aquafeeds have great potential to support sustainable fed-aquaculture and important advantages.•Single-cell ingredient nutrient composition can be manipulated to meet the requirements for use in aquafeeds.•Single-cell ingredients can recycle currently wasted organic material to produce ingredients that are not used as human food.