Exploring seaweed fermentation as a sustainable approach for enhancing the nutritional quality of bioengineered aquafeed and its assessment in the culture of Oreochromis urolepis

Abstract

Abstract The study investigated the efficacy of fermented seaweed Sargassum wightii and Gracilaria corticata as aquafeed in the growth and development of Oreochromis urolepis. The study assessed the nutrient profile, antioxidant, and antimicrobial potential of the fermented seaweed. Fermentation parameters optimized using RSM revealed that Pediococcus infused seaweeds displayed enhanced protein, reducing sugars, and lipid yields. The feeds significantly improved growth where in notable growth effect (35%-40%) was observed in trials fed with fermented sea weeds. The formulated feed conferred resilience to Vibrio harveyi in challenge studies allowing it to be developed as a sustainable, eco-friendly aquatic feed product.