African Journal of Fisheries Science

Review

Exploring the nutritional profile of microbial live feeds: A comprehensive overview for sustainable fish farming

Onianwah, I. F¹.; EZE, V. C².; Nwaugo, V. C³.; Chikezie-Abba, R.O⁴.

Dept of Microbiology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State. Nigeria.

Accepted 19 November, 2023

Abstract

Microorganisms are good sources of nutrients in fish farming. They provide essential amino acids, protein and polysaccharides need by fish and other aquaculture species. They include bacteria, yeasts, fungi and algae. The quality of aquaculture water determines the productivity of the aquaculture and influence the microbial diversity of the aquatic system. The beneficial microbes can be feed directly as live feeds or supplemented with aquaculture feeds. In addition to rich sources protein and carbohydrates, they provide organic acids, fatty acids, growth promoting factors and some extracellular enzymes required for food digestion in the intestinal tract of fish and other aquaculture species. Environmental factors and the nutritional needs of the aquaculture determine the suitability of microbes as live feed. Viable micro-organisms are added directly to the feed or by inoculating the culture water or could be sprayed or top-dressed into basal diets. The ability of some microorganisms to mutate into pathogens, non acceptance of GMOs and over production of antimicrobial substances by some species are some of the associated problems. Despite these shortcomings, the use of beneficial microorganisms has facilitated the development of aquaculture worldwide.

Keywords: Live Feeds, Microorganisms, Polysaccharides, Amino Acids, Fatty Acids Extracellular Enzyme, Growth Factors, Supplements