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Antioxidants
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Use of Antioxidant Supplementation in Aquaculture: Impact on Growth, Health,...
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Use of Antioxidant Supplementation in Aquaculture: Impact on Growth, Health, and Product Quality

A special issue of Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 5982

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Luisa M. P. Valente

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. CIIMAR/CIMAR-LA, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
2. ICBAS, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Interests: antioxidants; fish nutrition; sustainable aquaculture; One Health; fish robustness; environmental impact; muscle growth regulation and flesh quality; functional feeds and food; circular economy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Marta Monteiro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CIIMAR/CIMAR-LA, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
Interests: aquatic science; fish nutrition; cell culture; algae extracts; transcriptomics; oxidative stress assays; molecular biology; functional feeds

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As the aquaculture sector expands, the intensified production conditions often lead to heightened stress and disease outbreaks, posing challenges to the overall productivity and the final product quality. Therefore, maintaining and improving oxidative status, particularly through suitable nutritional strategies, becomes crucial. Research indicates that antioxidants, whether of natural or synthetic origin, play a pivotal role in alleviating oxidative stress, mitigating inflammatory responses, and preserving meat quality. These compounds have become the essential components in aquafeeds due to their influence on fish antioxidant defenses and the overall welfare in aquaculture settings. Beyond stress mitigation, antioxidants show promise in enhancing growth and modulating flesh oxidative stability, thereby impacting the shelf-life of end products.

This Special Issue delves into the transformative potential of antioxidant supplementation in aquaculture, specifically exploring its effects on key aspects such as fish growth, health, and product quality. By emphasizing innovative approaches to enhance aquafeeds, contributors are encouraged to present research findings that shed light on the diverse effects of antioxidant interventions. Research topics may include understanding the mechanisms through which antioxidants interact with fish cellular processes, their impact on performance and immune response, their role in increasing fish stress resilience, or their contribution in improving flesh oxidative stability and shelf-life. This Special Issue aims to advance our understanding of how antioxidant supplementation can foster more sustainable and efficient aquaculture practices. Researchers are invited to contribute insights, paving the way for innovative strategies that elevate the overall performance and robustness in aquaculture settings.

We look forward to your contribution.

Dr. Luisa M. P. Valente
Dr. Marta Monteiro
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antioxidants is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • functional feeds
  • oxidative stress
  • antioxidant supplementation
  • flesh quality
  • stress resilience

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 1571 KiB  
Article
Effectiveness of Astaxanthin as a Feed Supplement to Improve Growth Performance and Feed Utilization in Aquaculture Animals: A Meta-Analysis
by Bowen Li, Chunxiu Chen, Xiaoqing Zhou, Huiru Liu, Zhixiong Zhou, Xiaoyu Wang, Jian Liang, Yongjun Guo and Shuang Liang
Antioxidants 2025, 14(5), 609; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14050609 - 19 May 2025
Viewed by 90
Abstract
Aquaculture, a vital component of global food supply, faces challenges from environmental stressors that compromise aquatic animal health and productivity. Astaxanthin, a potent carotenoid antioxidant, has shown promise in enhancing growth and stress resilience in aquaculture species, yet its effects remain inconsistent across [...] Read more.
Aquaculture, a vital component of global food supply, faces challenges from environmental stressors that compromise aquatic animal health and productivity. Astaxanthin, a potent carotenoid antioxidant, has shown promise in enhancing growth and stress resilience in aquaculture species, yet its effects remain inconsistent across studies. This meta-analysis systematically evaluates the efficacy of dietary astaxanthin supplementation on growth, feed utilization, antioxidant capacity, and immune function in aquaculture animals. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, 64 studies (33 species, 964 comparisons) published prior to 2025 were analyzed using a random-effects model. Results demonstrated that astaxanthin significantly improved final body weight, weight gain rate, specific growth rate, survival rate, and protein efficiency ratio, while reducing feed conversion ratio. Additionally, it enhanced digestive enzyme activities, hepatopancreas antioxidant biomarkers, and immune parameters. The subgroup analysis revealed differences related to species, trophic level, and habitat, and estimated the optimal dose for key indicators. Despite heterogeneity and publication bias, adjusted effect sizes remained significant for most outcomes. These findings underscore astaxanthin’s potential as a multifunctional feed additive to promote sustainable aquaculture, though its efficacy depends on species, dosage, and environmental context, warranting further mechanistic and optimization studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Use of Antioxidant Supplementation in Aquaculture: Impact on Growth, Health, and Product Quality)
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28 pages, 2006 KiB  
Article
Insect–Antioxidants Symbiotic Nexus—Pathway for Sustainable and Resilient Aquaculture: A Case Study for Evaluating Koi Carp Growth and Oxidative Stress Status
by Alina Antache, Ira-Adeline Simionov, Ștefan-Mihai Petrea, Aurelia Nica, Puiu-Lucian Georgescu, Lăcrămioara Oprică, Marius-Nicușor Grigore, Mircea Oroian, Daniela Jitaru, Andreea Liteanu, Alin-Stelian Ciobîcă and Vladimir Poroch
Antioxidants 2025, 14(4), 371; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14040371 - 21 Mar 2025
Viewed by 594
Abstract
Various innovative fish feeds were tested for the production of koi carp in a recirculating aquaculture system, considering insect meal (Acheta domestica) as the main protein source and phytogenic additives (Curcuma longa—turmeric and Beta vulgaris—beetroot) as antioxidants, in [...] Read more.
Various innovative fish feeds were tested for the production of koi carp in a recirculating aquaculture system, considering insect meal (Acheta domestica) as the main protein source and phytogenic additives (Curcuma longa—turmeric and Beta vulgaris—beetroot) as antioxidants, in the spirit of sustainable aquaculture practice. The growth performance, metabolic rate (respirometry), hematological profile, blood biochemical indicators, and oxidative stress of koi carp were determined, using feeds according to the following experimental design: CF—commercial feed, IF—innovative feed based on cricket meal, BIF—innovative feed (IF) with beetroot, and TIF—innovative feed (IF) with turmeric. The TIF recorded the best growth rate. The lowest values of lipid peroxidation (MDA), standard metabolic rate (SMR), and routine metabolic rate (RMR) were registered for the IF and TIF variants. A reduction in MDA was noted, correlated to the decrease in the metabolic rate regarding SMR and RMR for the IF and TIF. An intensification in amylase was recorded in the TIF and BIF. Compared with the CF, it seems that the IF, TIF, and BIF had a beneficial effect on the koi carp by reducing cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, triglycerides, and urea and by increasing the concentration of calcium and growth hormone in the blood plasma. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Use of Antioxidant Supplementation in Aquaculture: Impact on Growth, Health, and Product Quality)
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26 pages, 769 KiB  
Article
Inclusion of Pineapple By-Products as Natural Antioxidant Sources in Diets for European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)
by Ricardo Pereira, Ana Basto, Manuela Pintado, Luisa M. P. Valente and Cristina Velasco
Antioxidants 2025, 14(3), 333; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14030333 - 11 Mar 2025
Viewed by 681
Abstract
This study investigates the effects of pineapple by-products on feed preservation during storage at two different temperatures (25 °C and 4 °C) and on European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) stress resistance. Four isoproteic, isolipidic, and isoenergetic diets were manufactured: CTRL—negative control, [...] Read more.
This study investigates the effects of pineapple by-products on feed preservation during storage at two different temperatures (25 °C and 4 °C) and on European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) stress resistance. Four isoproteic, isolipidic, and isoenergetic diets were manufactured: CTRL—negative control, commercial diet without added antioxidants; VITE—positive control, CTRL diet with 100 mg kg−1 of vitamin E; and P2 and S2—VITE diet with 2% pineapple peel or stem flour, respectively. The fish (13.5 ± 0.8 g) were split into four replicate groups per diet and fed ad libitum for 12 weeks, after which they were subjected to a stress challenge of air exposure (1 min) followed by confinement (5 min, 100 kg m−3). Despite storage time lowering the antioxidant properties of all diets, P2 and S2 showed increased antioxidant capacity (DPPH•, ABTS•+, and ORAC) before and after storage. The diets were well accepted by the fish, and the VITE-fed fish showed significantly lower lipid peroxidation values in the liver and muscle compared to all remaining diets. However, pineapple by-product inclusion did not result in increased fish stress resistance. Further optimization is required for the successful use of pineapple by-products as natural antioxidants in aquafeeds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Use of Antioxidant Supplementation in Aquaculture: Impact on Growth, Health, and Product Quality)
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19 pages, 2688 KiB  
Article
Enhancement of Growth, Antioxidant Activity, and Immunity in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Through Recombinant Bacillus subtilis Expressing L-Gulonolactone Oxidase
by Jirawadee Kaewda, Surintorn Boonanuntanasarn, Papungkorn Sangsawad, Pimpisut Manassila and Chatsirin Nakharuthai
Antioxidants 2025, 14(1), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14010050 - 4 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1260
Abstract
Due to its lack of the L-gulonolactone oxidase (GULO) enzyme, Nile tilapia is unable to synthesize vitamin C; thus, it requires an adequate level of exogenous vitamin C in its diet. To enhance antioxidant properties and vitamin C-related effects, we employed [...] Read more.
Due to its lack of the L-gulonolactone oxidase (GULO) enzyme, Nile tilapia is unable to synthesize vitamin C; thus, it requires an adequate level of exogenous vitamin C in its diet. To enhance antioxidant properties and vitamin C-related effects, we employed recombinant technology to integrate the GULO-encoding gene into the Bacillus subtilis chromosome. In this study, fish were divided into four groups: those fed with a basal diet (CON), a basal diet + vitamin C (VC), a basal diet + wild-type B. subtilis (BS), and a basal diet + recombinant B. subtilis (BS+GULO). After 90 days of the feeding trial, the BS+GULO groups showed the highest improvements in final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, average daily gain, and relative growth rate. The VC, BS, and BS+GULO groups exhibited increased total immunoglobulin and lysozyme activity; however, only the VC and BS+GULO groups showed elevated alternative complement 50 levels, phagocytic activity and improved antioxidant parameters compared to the control. HPLC and qRT-PCR analyses revealed elevated serum vitamin C and intestinal GULO mRNA levels in the BS+GULO group. A challenge test showed increased pro-inflammatory gene expression and immune response against S. agalactiae in the BS+GULO group, indicating improved antagonistic activity over wild-type B. subtilis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Use of Antioxidant Supplementation in Aquaculture: Impact on Growth, Health, and Product Quality)
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20 pages, 9384 KiB  
Article
Dietary Astaxanthin Can Promote the Growth and Motivate Lipid Metabolism by Improving Antioxidant Properties for Swimming Crab, Portunus trituberculatus
by Yao Deng, Shichao Xie, Wenhao Zhan, Hongyu Peng, Haiqing Cao, Zheng Tang, Yinqiu Tian, Tingting Zhu, Min Jin and Qicun Zhou
Antioxidants 2024, 13(5), 522; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13050522 - 26 Apr 2024
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2240
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the influence of varying dietary levels of astaxanthin (AST) on the growth, antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism of juvenile swimming crabs. Six diets were formulated to contain different AST levels, and the analyzed concentration of AST in experimental [...] Read more.
This study aimed to assess the influence of varying dietary levels of astaxanthin (AST) on the growth, antioxidant capacity and lipid metabolism of juvenile swimming crabs. Six diets were formulated to contain different AST levels, and the analyzed concentration of AST in experimental diets were 0, 24.2, 45.8, 72.4, 94.2 and 195.0 mg kg−1, respectively. Juvenile swimming crabs (initial weight 8.20 ± 0.01 g) were fed these experimental diets for 56 days. The findings indicated that the color of the live crab shells and the cooked crab shells gradually became red with the increase of dietary AST levels. Dietary 24.2 mg kg−1 astaxanthin significantly improved the growth performance of swimming crab. the lowest activities of glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) were found in crabs fed without AST supplementation diet. Crabs fed diet without AST supplementation showed lower lipid content and the activity of fatty acid synthetase (FAS) in hepatopancreas than those fed diets with AST supplementation, however, lipid content in muscle and the activity of carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT) in hepatopancreas were not significantly affected by dietary AST levels. And it can be found in oil red O staining that dietary 24.2 and 45.8 mg kg−1 astaxanthin significantly promoted the lipid accumulation of hepatopancreas. Crabs fed diet with 195.0 mg kg−1 AST exhibited lower expression of ampk, foxo, pi3k, akt and nadph in hepatopancreas than those fed the other diets, however, the expression of genes related to antioxidant such as cMn-sod, gsh-px, cat, trx and gst in hepatopancreas significantly down-regulated with the increase of dietary AST levels. In conclusion, dietary 24.2 and 45.8 mg kg−1 astaxanthin significantly promoted the lipid accumulation of hepatopancreas and im-proved the antioxidant and immune capacity of hemolymph. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Use of Antioxidant Supplementation in Aquaculture: Impact on Growth, Health, and Product Quality)
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