Reducing the negative environmental impact of the salmon industry is necessary to ensure its long-term sustainability. Current salmon farming practices heavily rely on fishmeal and soybean meal, which can contribute to overfishing and a high carbon footprint.
Researchers are developing innovative solutions to create more sustainable salmon feeds. However, accurately predicting the effects of new feed formulations on fish health and the environment can be challenging.
A team of scientists from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has developed a new model, the Simulated Salmon Lipid Metabolism (SimSaLipiM), to predict the nutritional needs and environmental impact of different salmon feed formulations.
SimSaLipiM: A Powerful Tool
SimSaLipiM (Simulated Salmon Lipid Metabolism) is an innovative tool that allows scientists to predict the nutritional and environmental outcomes of different feed formulations.
SimSaLipiM works by meticulously accounting for the complex lipid (fat) metabolism of salmon. By integrating with databases of various feed ingredients, the model can virtually analyze real-world feeding trials (in silico). This powerful combination allowed scientists to analyze the outcomes of a real-world salmon feeding trial in silico.
Model Validation: Predicting Performance and Environmental Impact
When compared to actual salmon feeding trials, SimSaLipiM successfully predicted optimal feeding efficiency, matching real-world observations. The model even provided a detailed breakdown of the fish’s energy budget and the specific lipid composition within their bodies for each tested feed.
“We have presented SimSaLipiM, a constraint-based metabolic model of Atlantic salmon with empirically-based flexible fatty acid metabolism. The model integrates body composition and feed data, allowing for optimization and prediction of key properties such as feed efficiency or fatty acid proportions in salmon biomass,” the scientists highlighted.
Beyond Analysis: Formulating Sustainable Feeds
SimSaLipiM’s capabilities go beyond simply analyzing existing feeds. Researchers can use the model to design entirely new and sustainable feed formulations and supplements. The model can prioritize recipes that minimize carbon footprint while optimizing key performance metrics such as feed efficiency.
Notably, SimSaLipiM significantly expands the scope and capabilities of the SALARECON model, specifically regarding lipid biosynthesis and degradation, allowing for detailed in silico simulation of feeding trials.
Benefits for the Salmon Aquaculture Industry
The power of SimSaLipiM extends beyond simply analyzing existing feeds. Researchers can use the model to design sustainable and entirely new feed formulations.
SimSaLipiM represents a valuable tool for feed manufacturers. The model streamlines the process of developing sustainable and cost-effective feeds. By bridging the gap between feed formulation and the complex biological needs of salmon, SimSaLipiM has the potential to significantly contribute to the sustainability of aquaculture.
The main benefits of the SimSaLipiM model can be summarized as follows:
- Healthier fish: Salmon raised on optimized diets are likely to be more resilient to stress and experience better gut health.
- More nutritious salmon: The model can help ensure that salmon meat retains its valuable omega-3 fatty acid content.
- Reduced environmental impact: Sustainable feed formulations minimize the industry’s environmental footprint.
- Cost-effective production: Optimizing feed efficiency leads to more cost-effective salmon farming.
Moreover, the scientists have published the source code online, allowing other researchers to generate models with customized fatty acid metabolism and body composition, conduct in silico feeding trials given molecular ingredient compositions, and optionally include other data such as ingredient prices and environmental footprint.
Conclusion
“SimSaLipiM can be applied in feed design to gain mechanistic insights into compound turnover and energy metabolism in Atlantic salmon,” the scientists conclude.
This innovative modeling tool is promising for the future of salmon farming. By enabling the development of sustainable and high-performance feeds, SimSaLipiM can contribute to a thriving and environmentally responsible salmon aquaculture industry.
The study was funded by the Research Council of Norway.
Contact
Ove Øyås
Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
Christian Magnus Falsens vei 18, Ås, 1433, Norway
Email: jon.vik@nmbu.no ove.oyas@nmbu.no
Reference (open access)
Filip Rotnes, Jon Olav Vik, Ove Øyås. 2024. Evaluating sustainable feeds for aquaculture by simulating Atlantic salmon lipid metabolism. bioRxiv 2024.06.01.596980; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.06.01.596980
