Cellular Solutions: Evaluating Single-Cell Proteins as Sustainable Feed Alternatives in Aquaculture
The rapid expansion of the global population has intensified the demand for protein-rich food sources, positioning aquaculture as a crucial sector in the endeavor to alleviate global hunger through the provision of high-quality aquatic protein. Traditional protein sources such as fishmeal have histo...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/7/764 |
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| author | Korale Kankanamge Dinuka Chamodi Nguyen Thanh Vu Jose A. Domingos Jiun-Yan Loh |
| author_facet | Korale Kankanamge Dinuka Chamodi Nguyen Thanh Vu Jose A. Domingos Jiun-Yan Loh |
| author_sort | Korale Kankanamge Dinuka Chamodi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The rapid expansion of the global population has intensified the demand for protein-rich food sources, positioning aquaculture as a crucial sector in the endeavor to alleviate global hunger through the provision of high-quality aquatic protein. Traditional protein sources such as fishmeal have historically served as the foundation of aquafeeds; however, their elevated costs and limited availability have catalyzed the search for sustainable alternatives. These alternatives encompass plant-based proteins, insect meals, and, more recently, single-cell proteins (SCPs), which are derived from microorganisms including bacteria, yeast, fungi, and microalgae. Nonetheless, SCP remains in its nascent stages and currently accounts for only a minor fraction of aquafeed formulations relative to other established alternatives. The production of SCP utilizes low-cost substrates, such as agricultural and dairy wastes, thereby supporting waste mitigation and principles of the circular economy. This review elucidates the nutritional value of SCPs, their potential for biofortification, and their emerging roles as functional feeds with immunomodulatory and nutrigenomic effects. Additionally, the review underscores the potential of endophytes as a novel SCP source, highlighting their underutilized capacity to foster sustainable innovations in aquafeeds. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7c0a38d380e546b5a45cc2b5e0632b59 |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2079-7737 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Biology |
| spelling | doaj-art-7c0a38d380e546b5a45cc2b5e0632b592025-07-25T13:14:57ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372025-06-0114776410.3390/biology14070764Cellular Solutions: Evaluating Single-Cell Proteins as Sustainable Feed Alternatives in AquacultureKorale Kankanamge Dinuka Chamodi0Nguyen Thanh Vu1Jose A. Domingos2Jiun-Yan Loh3Aquaculture and Fisheries Group, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, 6708 PB Wageningen, The NetherlandsTropical Futures Institute, James Cook University, 149 Sims Drive, Singapore 387380, SingaporeTropical Futures Institute, James Cook University, 149 Sims Drive, Singapore 387380, SingaporeTropical Futures Institute, James Cook University, 149 Sims Drive, Singapore 387380, SingaporeThe rapid expansion of the global population has intensified the demand for protein-rich food sources, positioning aquaculture as a crucial sector in the endeavor to alleviate global hunger through the provision of high-quality aquatic protein. Traditional protein sources such as fishmeal have historically served as the foundation of aquafeeds; however, their elevated costs and limited availability have catalyzed the search for sustainable alternatives. These alternatives encompass plant-based proteins, insect meals, and, more recently, single-cell proteins (SCPs), which are derived from microorganisms including bacteria, yeast, fungi, and microalgae. Nonetheless, SCP remains in its nascent stages and currently accounts for only a minor fraction of aquafeed formulations relative to other established alternatives. The production of SCP utilizes low-cost substrates, such as agricultural and dairy wastes, thereby supporting waste mitigation and principles of the circular economy. This review elucidates the nutritional value of SCPs, their potential for biofortification, and their emerging roles as functional feeds with immunomodulatory and nutrigenomic effects. Additionally, the review underscores the potential of endophytes as a novel SCP source, highlighting their underutilized capacity to foster sustainable innovations in aquafeeds.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/7/764alternative proteinbiofortificationcircular economynutrigenomicssingle-cell protein |
| spellingShingle | Korale Kankanamge Dinuka Chamodi Nguyen Thanh Vu Jose A. Domingos Jiun-Yan Loh Cellular Solutions: Evaluating Single-Cell Proteins as Sustainable Feed Alternatives in Aquaculture Biology alternative protein biofortification circular economy nutrigenomics single-cell protein |
| title | Cellular Solutions: Evaluating Single-Cell Proteins as Sustainable Feed Alternatives in Aquaculture |
| title_full | Cellular Solutions: Evaluating Single-Cell Proteins as Sustainable Feed Alternatives in Aquaculture |
| title_fullStr | Cellular Solutions: Evaluating Single-Cell Proteins as Sustainable Feed Alternatives in Aquaculture |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cellular Solutions: Evaluating Single-Cell Proteins as Sustainable Feed Alternatives in Aquaculture |
| title_short | Cellular Solutions: Evaluating Single-Cell Proteins as Sustainable Feed Alternatives in Aquaculture |
| title_sort | cellular solutions evaluating single cell proteins as sustainable feed alternatives in aquaculture |
| topic | alternative protein biofortification circular economy nutrigenomics single-cell protein |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/7/764 |
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