Effects of Insect meal derived bioactive compounds on the intestinal physiology of Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Supervisor: Prof.ssa Francesca Tulli
Co-supervisor: Dr.ssa Gloriana Cardinaletti

Over the past fourty years, the production of fish and other aquatic products through aquaculture have markedly risen, substantially boosting the availability of fish for human consumption. However, with this tremendous growth in aquaculture, there has been social, economic and environmental challenges. Over the past decades, there has been increasing environmental challenges in the aquaculture industry.

Aquaculture faces environmental challenges due to climate variables like drought, floods, cyclones, and global warming. The impact of climate change on both capture fisheries and aquaculture is expected to be extreme with increasing water temperatures, decreasing water pH and the migration of aquatic species from established to new waters. With these new conditions, there will be an added problem of providing feeds to aquaculture species. The availability of fish meal and fish oil is currently seen as an obstacle in aquaculture growth, and therefore, highlighting the need for use of alternative feed sources. The use of insect meal, and particularly Black Soldier fly in aquafeeds has gained prominence due to its nutritional profile and its sustainability.

Insect meal derived from BSF comprises a variety of bioactive and immunostimulant substances, including antimicrobial peptides, fatty acids such as lauric acid and polysaccharides such as chitin and chitosan. It has been established that chitin and lauric acid increase fish’ tolerance to diseases and are important for their innate immune responses. This research project aims to explore the impact of Black soldier fly purified diets, particularly focusing on chitin and lauric acid on the intestinal physiology, gut morphology, nutrient metabolism and immunological response in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

This study will also explore the specific effects of BSF derived chitin and lauric acid on the intestinal health of Rainbow trout, particularly at the level of intestinal stem cells and functions.

Biography and Contacts

Roselida Opere was born in Kisumu, Kenya on 04/04/1994. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources Management and Conservation from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (Hons), with an interest in Fisheries as natural resources.

In 2022, she obtained her Master’s degree in Sustainable Aquaculture from Ghent University (cum laude) where she conducted research on how pH fluctuations in biofloc systems affect the physiology of white leg shrimp. In November 2023, she started her PhD course in Agricultural sciences and Biotechnology at the University of Udine.

Email: opere.roselida@spes.uniud.it