Objetivo
This project concerns the development of a new, natural, astaxanthin product for the aquaculture in both European and World-wide markets. Aquaculture is a rapidly
growing World-wide industry that the cultivation of marine and freshwater fish as well as shellfish and molluscs. It has been estimated that within a few years as much as 20% of the world fish production will derive from the Aquaculture industryAstaxanthin is the primary source of pigmentation in salmonids crustaceans and in ornamen
Normally carotenoids are obtained via the natural diet of organisms in the wild, however in aql carotenoids have to be specifically added to their artificial diet.
Recent studies have demonstrated role of dietary carotenoids in the health status of animals, including fish. Astaxanthin also acts as anti-oxidant extending the shelf-life and improving the quality of the final fish product.
The Aquaculture industry depends greatly on the production of high-quality products with pigm recognised as a major consumer quality factor. Astaxanthin is the most expensive component of fish feed (accounting for 20-30% of total feed costs) and the ever-expanding World market is currently estil >$150 million per annum. Sources of astaxanthin are, however, very limited and synthetic astaxan until recently been the only available form of this carotenoid. Alternative sources have been proposed,
including flowers, yeasts, krill and some microalgae, especially Haematococcus spp., which is recog being the most suitable of these sources. Algal astaxanthin represents an effective alternative source of this carotenoid for Aquaculture for a nu
key reasons:
Microalgal pigments are a logical step leading to natural pigmentation in aquaculture. Algal astaxanthin] similar characteristics to the natural dietary source(s) of carotenoid in wild salmon and trout in t present as esters and is the (3S,3'S)
stereoisomer.
Production and use of microalgal astaxanthin is an effective use of Clean Technology, dr: photosynthesis. It is essentially waste-free as the algal biomass can be fully integrated into feeds possible with other natural alternatives); i.e. no organic
or inorganic residues are produced.
Extruded feeds have synthetic astaxanthin pre-mixed with a 30% loss. Micro-encapsulation can red but uptake efficiency is reduced. Microalgae rich in astaxanthin can be incorporated in fish oil and after extrusion. This improves efficiencies and precludes the need for extraction.
Preliminary estimates show that once the process is optimised overall production costs may be lower than the synthetic and yeast-based alternatives. This will be a key performance factor.
In addition, there is an increasing consumer move away from synthetic additives and towards using ingredients in the food and feed industries. Preliminary fish-feeding trials throughout the world wi astaxanthin have shown that it can be used as an
effective pigment but also identified that further was needed to optimise product formulation and maximise uptake, deposition and stability of algal-astaxa commercial fish species to ensure the competitive nature of this product.
The main aims of this project are: (i) to improve the efficacy offeed formulations for the use / astaxanthin in the Aquaculture industry, and (ii) to scale-up methodologies for fresh-water microalgal production of astaxanthin. A multidisciplinary
approach will be taken to ensure that both aims a addressed and their deliverables met. This proposal is related Area 5 "Fisheries and Aquaculture".
Ámbito científico
Convocatoria de propuestas
Data not availableRégimen de financiación
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinador
L3 5UX Liverpool
Reino Unido