Cogent Food & Agriculture

Cogent Food & Agriculture is pleased to invite you to submit your research to the upcoming Article Collection “Advancements in Alternative Proteins for Aquafeed: Enhancing Nutritional Quality and Utilization” organized by the Guest Advisors, Dr. Ndakalimwe Naftal Gabriel, Dr. Mary A. Opiyo, and Mr. Sahya Maulu. 

Aquaculture plays a crucial role in addressing the rising global foodfish demand driven by the growing population. Nevertheless, the heavy reliance on fish meal as the primary protein source in aquafeed makes the industry unsustainable, with feed costs constituting a substantial 60-80% of total operating costs. Thus, the pursuit of alternative protein sources for aquafeed is imperative to enhance the sector's impact on livelihoods and economic benefits. Research efforts aimed at replacing or reducing fish meal have explored a wide range of potential protein sources, including plant and animal-based feedstuffs. Fish struggle to efficiently utilize plant proteins due to anti-nutritional factors hindering nutrient absorption. Various studies have examined different processing methods like exogenous enzymes, probiotics, and physical treatments to reduce anti-nutritional factors in plant-based feed. However, standardizing the utilization of various plant protein sources across different fish species remains a challenge. On the other hand, insects offer a promising alternative protein source for aquafeed. While not all insects can fully replace fish meal due to amino acid limitations, their nutritional quality can be manipulated based on their diet. Research on improving the nutritional quality of insects with essential amino acid deficiencies is growing, but more information is needed in this area.

Enhancing the nutritional quality and utilization of alternative protein sources is pivotal for reducing the dependence on unsustainable fish meal in aquafeed. This shift can lead to more affordable, high-quality fish feed and boost aquaculture production and sustainability. Furthermore, improved utilization of alternative protein sources results in less nitrogenous waste being released into the environment, as fish can effectively utilize these nutrients from the feed. Plant and insect protein sources are readily available worldwide, and their potential to replace fish meal in aquaculture could unlock the industry's full potential. However, existing research is still limited to promote commercial utilization of these feedstuffs. Advancing research into protein sources like insects in aquafeed aligns with the principles of a circular economy, minimizing waste in the food production process and reducing bio-waste and carbon footprint in aquaculture. Therefore, improving alternative protein sources in aquaculture is essential for the industry's sustainable development.

This Article Collection welcomes papers of various types (Research Articles, Replication Studies, Review Articles, Short Communications) that contribute to our knowledge of enhancing the nutritional quality and utilization of alternative protein sources in aquafeed.

Specific Focus:

• Investigating the supplementation of agents like exogenous enzymes, prebiotics, and probiotics, either individually or in combination, to enhance nutrient utilization, growth, and overall health of fish fed plant or insect-based diets
• Exploring diverse physical, chemical, and biological methods for improving the nutrient quality and utilization of alternative protein sources in aquafeed
• Enhancing the nutritional quality and utilization of insects as protein sources in aquafeed, including feeding different substrates
• Supplementing limited essential amino acids and conditionally essential amino acids to alternative protein sources in aquafeed

Please review the submission instructions below prior to submitting an abstract and/or manuscript.

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Article Collection Guest Advisors

Dr. Ndakalimwe Naftal Gabriel is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Namibia (UNAM), Department Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, and holds a PhD in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences from UNAM. He pursued his MSc in Aquaculture at Nanjing Agricultural University in China from 2013 to 2015 and completed his bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences at UNAM. He has received several prestigious awards and scholarships, including the Fulbright scholarship, The World Academy of Science-TWAS fellowship, and the Nanjing Municipal People's Government international student scholarship. With over 10 years of experience in aquaculture research and seven years as a lecturer at UNAM, he has an extensive academic and research background. He has authored more than 40 research articles, including book chapters, and has written two books.

Dr. Mary A. Opiyo is a Senior Research Scientist at Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI). She holds a PhD in Fisheries Science from Kenyatta University and a MSc in Fisheries and Aquatic Science (Aquaculture) from Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya.  She is also an African Food Fellow, a world class Food System Leadership Program by Wageningen University and Research. She has 13 years of experience in aquaculture and fisheries research focusing on sustainable aquaculture technologies, alternative protein sources for aquafeed and use of novel products in fish nutrition and health management. She has published more that 44 papers in peer reviewed SCI-indexed journals and published 17 books, book chapters and value use documents.

Sahya Maulu is a Ph.D. Researcher in Fish Nutrition and Health at the University of Plymouth (UK). He holds an MSc. in Fisheries Science (Aquaculture major) from the Nanjing Agricultural University (China), and a BSc. in Fisheries and Aquaculture from the Copperbelt University (Zambia). Sahya is a recipient of the prestigious Commonwealth Ph.D. Scholarships (2022-2025), and his research focuses on alternative feedstuffs such as insect meals with potential to replace conventional protein sources in aquafeed. The aim is to improve dietary sustainability whilst also promoting good fish health, robustness, and growth performance. With a strong background in aquaculture and fisheries research, he has authored over 25 peer-reviewed articles.

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisors for this Collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member).

Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript. Please be sure to select the appropriate Article Collection from the drop-down menu in the submission system.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is 30th July 2024. Please be sure to select the appropriate Article Collection from the drop-down menu in the submission system and to include any discount codes before you submit as these will not be applied retrospectively.

Please contact Ruby Ru, Commissioning Editor, with any queries and discount codes regarding this Article Collection.

Instructions for AuthorsSubmit an Article