ABSTRACT
In the aquaculture of carnivorous species, fishmeal (~50) and fish oil (~30) are the most used ingredients in aquafeed formulations; however, overexploitation of pelagic species is producing an ecological imbalance in the seas. Additionally, aquafeeds production cost has increased throughout the years due to increased demand for fish feed ingredients. Furthermore, high levels of nitrogen and phosphates present in fish feed ingredients could be the source of great contamination, which can produce low oxygenated areas and the consequent development of pathogenic microbes. In this sense, it is important to develop aquafeed formulations with (1) shipper animal byproducts, (2) highly digestible microorganisms and insect biomass, or (3) abundant plant ingredients to partially or completely substitute the fish products. However, the above-mentioned ingredients (1) do not contain enough nutrient concentration and could be the source of pathogens, (2) are not cost-effective for aquafeed formulation, and (3) all contain complex macromolecules that are difficult to digest by the enzymes produced in aquacultured animals, respectively. Therefore, the utilization of probiotic bacteria capable of enhancing feed degradation, increasing water bioremediation, and enhancing the animal´s health status, is essential for the aquafeed industry.
