C1 gas protein: A potential protein substitute for advancing aquaculture sustainability

Abstract

Aquaculture has been the fastest‐growing food production sector and is considered to be so in the future. However, aquaculture feed is heavily dependent on wild‐captured forage fish, which is unsustainable, costly and non‐ecofriendly. Hence, the development of sustainable, eco‐friendly, cost‐effective and nutrient‐balanced novel fishmeal alternatives is critical to satisfying the forecasted expansion of aquaculture. Among fishmeal alternatives, attention to one‐carbon gas protein (C1GP) has reached an unprecedented level recently. The C1GP is produced through the fermentation of certain unique microorganisms by utilizing the substrates from C1‐related industrial exhaust gases, such as CH4, CO and CO2, which take much less time, land, water and resources, remove greenhouse gases and waste materials, and offer sustainable protein sources. These C1GP products, either as fishmeal or soybean meal alternatives, have been successfully used in fish and shrimp diets. This review introduces the latest research progress on microorganisms, protein production technology, nutrition and products using C1 gases as substrate, as well as their application in aquafeed. With the rapid development of synthetic biotechnology and engineering technology, it will become an important development field in the future in the construction of new strains and gas fermentation technology with high transformation efficiency, wide adaptation and abundant nutrients for the development of new ingredients for aquaculture.

A Natural Gas Fermentation Bacterial Meal (FeedKind®) as a Functional Alternative Ingredient for Fishmeal in Diet of Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides

“…Our recent study also showed that liver MDA levels was significantly correlated with the relative abundance of bacteria, including Pseudomonas and Psychrobacter [ 85 ]. Unfortunately, the potential mechanisms behind these correlations remain unknown, but it is assumed that these could be attributed to the high level of nucleotides [ 14 , 88 , 89 ] and other potential functional components, such as large molecules and water insoluble components [ 24 ], which may regulate antioxidant relevant bacteria, and then improve the oxidative stress status. Nevertheless, these findings require further investigation to improve the knowledge on the relationship between antioxidant capacities and gut microbiota.…”

Agouti-related protein as the glucose signaling sensor in the central melanocortin circuits in regulating fish food intake

“…Even today, fishmeal is still a highly desirable protein source in aquaculture feed due to its high protein level, high digestibility, and ideal nutrient profile ( 86 ). However, fishmeal derived from wild-captured forage fish is costly and unsustainable because of its high demand and limited resources, have led to economic and ecological challenges ( 87 , 88 ). Various plant-based ingredients, such as by-product meals from oilseeds, including soy, cotton, and rape seeds, have been used as fishmeal alternatives in aqua feed due to their relatively high protein concentration, stable production, low nitrogen and carbon emissions, and lower market price ( 89 – 91 ).…”

Multi-omics approach to study the dual effects of novel proteins on the intestinal health of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) under an alternate feeding strategy

“…These were also confirmed by the bugbase functional predictions, which indicated that this diet included the greatest concentration of anaerobic bacteria and the lowest concentration of aerobic bacteria. This may be due to the fact that C. autoethanogenum contains a significant amount of carbohydrates, lipids, and vitamins that may regulate gut microbiota and enhance intestinal health (6,42). However, no significant differences in microbiota were identified across other diets containing novel proteins and whole fishmeal diet when using this alternate feeding strategy.…”