Work

Dietary trace mineral (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Se) source and levels on production parameters, fillet quality, mineralization, and skin morphology of 1+ and 0+ Atlantic salmon across regions in Norway

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Environmental considerations, low availability, and increased cost of marine ingredients are among the main drivers for the evolution of Atlantic salmon feeds to mainly plant-based. The functionality of antinutrients present in plant ingredients at ever-changing levels and in combinations to modern feed formulations is a complex puzzle to solve. The present article contains results from a uniquely comprehensive series of commercial salmon farming trials, exploring the practical implications of using different dietary levels of essential trace minerals of either organic or inorganic form. The study encompasses four full-scale feeding trials in each one of three different locations along the Norwegian coast (North, Mid, and West), including replication of the nutritional interventions for 1+ and 0+ smolt. Filet quality parameters revealed strong correlations with smolt age, location, and mineral level. Slaughter yield was significantly affected by mineral level and showed a strong tendency towards interaction with mineral sources, with fish fed organic minerals having higher slaughter yield. Noteworthy, 0+ fish had higher slaughter yield when reared in Northern Norway while 1+ fish when reared in Western Norway, with mid-Norway having the lowest slaughter yield for both ages. Filet quality parameters revealed strong correlations with smolt age, location, and mineral level. Specifically, fish from the Mid region exhibited a firmer filet texture compared to those reared in the North and West regions, while 0+ fish and ML1-fed fish displayed firmer texture. Welfare indicators correlated significantly with various study factors, with notable differences observed in skin score, fin score, and liver score among different age groups and mineral levels. Smolt age, farm location, and mineral level significantly influenced tissue chemical composition, with distinct patterns observed in whole-body mineralization, fillet quality, and liver mineral content. This study tries to shed light on the complex interplay between dietary mineral supplementation and fish performance, filet quality, welfare indicators, and tissue mineralization in commercially produced Atlantic salmon. Our findings underscore the importance of considering multiple factors in formulating optimal feed compositions for enhancing fish health, performance, and overall welfare in aquaculture practices.

Source: Aquaculture

DOI: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2025.742375