One of the main factors influencing growth, immunity and overall fish production is diet. Researchers have developed functional feeds, feeds enhanced with additives that induce physiological benefits and can enhance immunity and overall health. In the design of functional feeds, a wide range of feed additives including plant extracts, antioxidants, probiotics and prebiotics (collectively referred to as synbiotics), mycotoxin binders, enzymes, photogenic or phytobiotic compounds etc. are added to feed recipes and bound with feed pellets through various processing methods. Other additives such as organic acids, micro vitamins and trace elements can be included in target quantities. While these compounds typically have little or no direct nutritional value, their addition to feeds can enhance the overall physiological quality of stocks, increasing their market value.
Feed additives vary widely in their function and intended purpose to regulate stress, improve intestinal health and enhance disease resistance. Calculations of optimal feed additive inclusion rates must consider the potential synergistic effects of various additives.
Moreover, the various physical properties of feed additives present a challenge in the processing and production of feeds. Exogenous enzymes, anabolic hormones and acidifiers can require costly processing methods to maintain required environmental conditions, and efficiently optimizing these processes remains a challenge. Feed formulation must also take into account the durability, palatability and water stability of the feed. Numerous feed binders, including seaweed extract (such as resins, alginates, carrageenan), antioxidants, can confer health benefits, while also enhancing the palatability of the feed. The overarching goal of this collection is to address major challenges that remain in these areas.
This Research Topic welcomes submissions that address key issues in feed additive formulation, production and applications. Themes include, but are not limited to;
- Prospecting of additives for growth optimization, immunological enhancement and improved disease & stress resistance
- Optimal feed additive inclusion rates
- Feed additive processing and formulation
- Feed additive incorporation and optimized production processes
One of the main factors influencing growth, immunity and overall fish production is diet. Researchers have developed functional feeds, feeds enhanced with additives that induce physiological benefits and can enhance immunity and overall health. In the design of functional feeds, a wide range of feed additives including plant extracts, antioxidants, probiotics and prebiotics (collectively referred to as synbiotics), mycotoxin binders, enzymes, photogenic or phytobiotic compounds etc. are added to feed recipes and bound with feed pellets through various processing methods. Other additives such as organic acids, micro vitamins and trace elements can be included in target quantities. While these compounds typically have little or no direct nutritional value, their addition to feeds can enhance the overall physiological quality of stocks, increasing their market value.
Feed additives vary widely in their function and intended purpose to regulate stress, improve intestinal health and enhance disease resistance. Calculations of optimal feed additive inclusion rates must consider the potential synergistic effects of various additives.
Moreover, the various physical properties of feed additives present a challenge in the processing and production of feeds. Exogenous enzymes, anabolic hormones and acidifiers can require costly processing methods to maintain required environmental conditions, and efficiently optimizing these processes remains a challenge. Feed formulation must also take into account the durability, palatability and water stability of the feed. Numerous feed binders, including seaweed extract (such as resins, alginates, carrageenan), antioxidants, can confer health benefits, while also enhancing the palatability of the feed. The overarching goal of this collection is to address major challenges that remain in these areas.
This Research Topic welcomes submissions that address key issues in feed additive formulation, production and applications. Themes include, but are not limited to;
- Prospecting of additives for growth optimization, immunological enhancement and improved disease & stress resistance
- Optimal feed additive inclusion rates
- Feed additive processing and formulation
- Feed additive incorporation and optimized production processes