People frequently inquired about my opinion on the most “beautiful aquafeed formula”. This brings to mind the following quotation: “Magic Mirror, tell me who is the most beautiful in this world?”

Indeed, there are optimal (beautiful) formulations that accurately reflect the nutrient levels in the raw material. However, certain methodologies exist for their development. The optimal formulation balances nutritional adequacy with sustainability, cost-efficiency, and environmental responsibility. While no single formulation can be considered ideal across all systems, the key is to optimize nutrition, support growth and health, and minimize environmental impact. As aquaculture continues to evolve, new ingredients and technologies will further refine and improve formulations, enhancing their efficiency and sustainability. Generally, aquafeed formulation is species-specific, life-stage specific, and system-specific.

V3 aquafeed formulations must be sustainable, circular, and have a low carbon footprint. Additives are vital in enhancing the nutritional value, palatability, and stability of these feeds, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and functional compounds that promote fish health and growth. Certain additives also improve feed efficiency and reduce environmental impacts, supporting V3 aquafeed’s sustainability goals. These additives, such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, and probiotics, enhance nutritional content, animal health, and performance. The global animal feed additives market, valued at USD 44.70 billion in 2023, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5%. The market expansion is driven by the demand for high-quality animal products and increased awareness of animal health and welfare, along with regulations on food safety and sustainable aquaculture practices. Additional information about additives will be disseminated in 2025 via the Aquaspin website (https://www.aquaspin.com.tr/en/anasayfa-english/).

Let’s back to story! In the sense of my first sentence, Pinho & Turchini (2024), however, utilized ChatGPT to address “the sustainable future of Aquafeed by 2100”, rather than consulting the Magic Mirror. As previously noted, alternative protein sources, circular economy approaches, and nutritional optimization and precision feeding will be the primary key issues in 2100. Subsequently, I queried ChatGPT regarding the definition of “beautiful Aquafeed”. The response was as follows: “A ‘beautiful’ aquafeed formulation ensures a well-balanced, efficient, and sustainable diet for aquatic species while minimizing environmental impact and maximizing fish health, growth, and productivity. It combines optimal nutrition, digestibility, and sustainable sourcing of ingredients.” Once again, sustainability and complex nutrient-dense ingredients will characterize beautiful Aquafeed. Upon achieving these objectives, a formulator can develop an appropriate formulation design to create “beautiful Aquafeed”.

Reference

Pinho, S. M., & Turchini, G. M. (2024). Science or science‐fiction? Playing with ChatGPT to predict the future of the aquafeed industry. Reviews in Aquaculture, 16(3), 995-996.