Phytosterol from Marine Algae as Feed Additive in Aquaculture

By : S. Mahalakshmi , S. Selvaraj , Cheryl Antony

Page No: 73-81

Abstract
Aquaculture is growing faster compared to other animal food production sector, and this growth has been accompanied by a rapid increase in aqua feed production in recent years (FAO, 2020). Particularly, there is an increasing trend in the use of plant based compounds instead of using synthetic hormones and antibiotics for promoting growth, colouration and gametogenesis in fish. Many components have been found in marine algae such as phytosterols that have several beneficial effects. Phytosterol present in marine algae such as sterols and stanols are similar to cholesterol in terms of structure and function. Studies on phytosterols and their use as feed additive in fishes are limited. The phytochemicals are classified based on the chemical structures as alkaloids, flavonoids, pigments, terpenoids, steroids and essential oils. The phytochemicals present in the plants and algae possess many useful functions such as enhancing the growth rate, feed consumption and also act as an immunostimulant, antistress factor and possess antimicrobial properties. Phytosterols are the plant derived sterols belonging to the terpenoid chemical group present in higher plants and also in marine algae. The most common phytosterol include beta-Sitosterol, campestrol, stigmasterol and stigmastanol. The sterol distribution in plants varies with some species having only one or two whereas as some other possess many steroids. Phytosterols can only obtained by the animals through their diet they cannot be synthesized by them. Phytosterols present in the marine algae and plants possess many benefits in fishes as well as crustaceans. The sterol distribution in plants varies with some species having only one or two whereas as some other possess many steroids. Phytosterols can only obtained by the animals through their diet they cannot be synthesized by them. Phytosterols present in the marine algae and plants possess many benefits in fishes as well as crustaceans.

Authors :
S. Mahalakshmi, S. Selvaraj and Cheryl Antony
Department of Aquaculture, Dr. M.G.R Fisheries College and Research Institute, Ponneri, Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, India.
 

DOI: http://doi.org/10.32381/JAT.2022.37.1-4.7