Evaluation of long-chain omega-3 canola oil on Atlantic salmon growth, performance, and essential fatty acid tissue accretion across the life cycle: a review

Abstract

AbstractAquaculture plays an important role in providing protein and fatty acids to meet human nutritional requirements. The finite supply of marine ingredients has led to increased use of vegetable oils in aquafeed. While these oils can meet energy and growth needs, they lack nutritionally required ω3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3 LCPUFAs). Development of land-based alternative oil sources to safeguard global aquaculture production, while meeting the nutritional needs of both fish and human consumers, is critical. This review summarizes studies using a new land-based ω3 LCPUFA canola oil in fish feed to support both energy and ω3 LCPUFA requirements of Atlantic salmon during each phase of the life cycle, while producing fish with adequate ω3 LCPUFA content to meet human nutritional needs. In all cases, growth and performance were comparable to fish fed conventional fish-oil-based diets; no adverse effects were attributed to the use of ω3 canola oil. Fatty acid deposition in muscle (fillet) reflected feed composition, resulting in accumulation of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and a low ω6:ω3 ratio, making salmon fed ω3 LCPUFA canola oil a sustainable source of these nutrients for human consumption. Additionally, reduced melanin deposits were observed in fish fed ω3 LCPUFA canola oil.