PROFISH

Development of probiotic-enriched functional feeds to improve fish growth, gut health and immune response in Mediterranean aquaculture

Aquaculture in the Mediterranean region is facing increasing challenges in ensuring economic and environmental sustainability, and high-quality fish. The progressive replacement of fishmeal and fish oil with alternative protein sources can induce nutritional imbalances that negatively affect growth performance, feed efficiency, and fish health, particularly in carnivorous species such as gilthead seabream and European seabass.

At the same time, reducing antibiotic requiring alternative strategies to maintain fish health and welfare.These challenges are common to aquaculture industries in both Tunisia and Italy, making collaborative research highly relevant.

Functional feed additives, including probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics, have demonstrated potential to improve nutrient utilization, modulate gut microbiota, enhance immune responses, and support overall fish performance. However, their effects are highly variable depending on species, dosage, and formulation.

his project aims to develop and evaluate innovative functional feeds enriched with selected marine-derived probiotics and synbiotics. Using an integrated approach combining feed formulation, controlled feeding trials, histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses, and gene expression profiling, the study will investigate the effects of these diets on growth, health, and physiological performance of S. aurata and D. labrax.

The expected outcomes include improved fish productivity, enhanced disease resistance, reduced reliance on antibiotics, and more sustainable aquaculture systems. By addressing shared challenges in Tunisia and Italy, this collaboration will contribute to environmentally responsible, economically efficient, and high-quality fish production in the Mediterranean region.

PARTNERS

Referent:

Giulia Maricchiolo

Senior Researcher

Messina

SCOPRI DI PIÙ

Programme: Accordo di cooperazione scientifica CNR/MHESR, Tunisia. Bienni 2027-2028

Duration: January 1, 2027 - December 31, 2028

Budget: 24.000,00 €

Budget IRBIM: 12.000,00 €

Areas of Research:

TEAM
Letteria Caccamo

Technologist

Messina

Giulia Maricchiolo

Senior Researcher

Messina

Grazia Marina Quero

Researcher

Ancona

Basilio Randazzo

Researcher

Messina

Research Projects



Research Projects

The research activities of the Institute are carried out in the context of research, development and innovation projects, both national and international, based on regional funding programs (POR FEAMPA - Regional Operational Program of the European Maritime Affairs Fisheries Fund and Aquaculture and POR FESR - Regional Operational Program of the European Regional Development Fund) or ministerial (PRIN - Projects of relevant national interest, PNRA - National Research Program in Antarctica, PO FEAMPA - National Operational Program European Maritime Affairs Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund) , programs for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg), direct funding programs of the European Commission (Horizon2020 and Horizon Europe, Life, JPI - Joint Programming Initiatives, ERA-NET Cofund) and thematic collaboration initiatives managed by international organizations such as, for example , the FAO - GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean). The Institute also develops funded projects in the context of collaborations with private companies in the sectors of the blue economy as well as technology transfer and research results. Research projects, mainly of a collaborative nature, are developed through a wide network of partners that include major Italian and foreign research institutions and universities.

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