Assessing environmental sustainability of substitute feeding formulas for gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) using Life Cycle Assessment.

The rise in fish and seafood consumption driven by aquaculture comes with its share of challenges and controversies, notably the need for expanded feed production. The use of fishmeal and fish oil to raise carnivorous fish has caused environmental problems, including ecosystem imbalance and habitat destruction, as well as ethical issues like fishing forage fish for feed instead of human consumption. Thus, the industry has been actively pursuing alternative feed ingredients to reduce reliance on fish-derived components.

Spirulina-enriched Substrate to Rear Black Soldier Fly () Prepupae as Alternative Aquafeed Ingredient for Rainbow Trout () Diets: Possible Effects on Zootechnical Performances, Gut and Liver Health Status, and Fillet Quality.

In the present study, an organic substrate (coffee silverskin) enriched with spirulina (; 15% /), as a source of lipids and bioactive molecules, was used to rear the black soldier fly () prepupae. Three grossly isonitrogenous, isoproteic, isolipidic and isoenergetic experimental diets for rainbow trout () 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.