Improving Farmed Juvenile Gilthead Seabream (<i>Sparus aurata</i>) Stress Response to Marine Heatwaves and Vibriosis Through Seaweed-Based Dietary Modulation

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are an emerging challenge for aquaculture, increasing the frequency and severity of disease outbreaks in farmed fish, weakening immunocompetence and compromising overall health and survival. As climate change stressors intensify, there is an urgent need for cost-effective and...

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Main Authors: Alícia Pereira, Isa Marmelo, Tomás Chainho, Daniel Bolotas, Marta Dias, Rui Cereja, Marisa Barata, Pedro Pousão-Ferreira, Elsa F. Vieira, Cristina Delerue-Matos, Mário S. Diniz, António Marques, Ana Luísa Maulvault
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/13/1970
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author Alícia Pereira
Isa Marmelo
Tomás Chainho
Daniel Bolotas
Marta Dias
Rui Cereja
Marisa Barata
Pedro Pousão-Ferreira
Elsa F. Vieira
Cristina Delerue-Matos
Mário S. Diniz
António Marques
Ana Luísa Maulvault
author_facet Alícia Pereira
Isa Marmelo
Tomás Chainho
Daniel Bolotas
Marta Dias
Rui Cereja
Marisa Barata
Pedro Pousão-Ferreira
Elsa F. Vieira
Cristina Delerue-Matos
Mário S. Diniz
António Marques
Ana Luísa Maulvault
author_sort Alícia Pereira
collection DOAJ
description Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are an emerging challenge for aquaculture, increasing the frequency and severity of disease outbreaks in farmed fish, weakening immunocompetence and compromising overall health and survival. As climate change stressors intensify, there is an urgent need for cost-effective and environmentally friendly strategies to enhance fish resilience. This study investigated the efficacy of <i>Laminaria digitata</i>, a brown macroalga, included in aquafeeds as powder (0.3% and 1.5%) or extract (0.3%) in improving the stress response of juvenile gilthead seabream (<i>Sparus aurata</i>) co-exposed to <i>Vibrio harveyi</i> infection during a category III MHW event. Under control conditions, <i>L. digitata</i> supplementation maintained or improved fish growth performance and overall well-being. After MHW exposure, the 1.5% powdered and 0.3% extract diets were more effective in mitigating thermal stress, reducing liver oxidative stress and lowering plasma cortisol levels. In infected fish, these diets improved resistance to <i>V. harveyi</i>, with reduced cortisol and alanine aminotransferase concentrations indicating hepatoprotective properties, and lower lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities reflecting an amplified capacity to counteract oxidative stress induced by inflammation. Overall, <i>L. digitata</i> is a promising aquafeed supplement, with the 1.5% powdered form offering a cost-effective alternative to the extract without compromising efficacy.
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spelling doaj-art-9e1506286b1842609f4e44c6e5a8bdcf2025-08-20T03:28:34ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-07-011513197010.3390/ani15131970Improving Farmed Juvenile Gilthead Seabream (<i>Sparus aurata</i>) Stress Response to Marine Heatwaves and Vibriosis Through Seaweed-Based Dietary ModulationAlícia Pereira0Isa Marmelo1Tomás Chainho2Daniel Bolotas3Marta Dias4Rui Cereja5Marisa Barata6Pedro Pousão-Ferreira7Elsa F. Vieira8Cristina Delerue-Matos9Mário S. Diniz10António Marques11Ana Luísa Maulvault12CIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, PortugalCIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, PortugalIPMA DivAV—Division of Aquaculture, Upgrading and Biosprospection, Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, 1495-165 Algés, PortugalIPMA DivAV—Division of Aquaculture, Upgrading and Biosprospection, Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, 1495-165 Algés, PortugalCIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, PortugalIPMA DivAV—Division of Aquaculture, Upgrading and Biosprospection, Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, 1495-165 Algés, PortugalIPMA-EPPO—Aquaculture Research Station, Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, 8700-194 Olhão, PortugalIPMA-EPPO—Aquaculture Research Station, Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, 8700-194 Olhão, PortugalREQUIMTE/LAQV—Network of Chemistry and Technology/Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry, ISEP/IPP—Polytechnic of Porto—School of Engineering, 4249-015 Porto, PortugalREQUIMTE/LAQV—Network of Chemistry and Technology/Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry, ISEP/IPP—Polytechnic of Porto—School of Engineering, 4249-015 Porto, PortugalUCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University of Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, PortugalCIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, PortugalIPMA DivAV—Division of Aquaculture, Upgrading and Biosprospection, Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, 1495-165 Algés, PortugalMarine heatwaves (MHWs) are an emerging challenge for aquaculture, increasing the frequency and severity of disease outbreaks in farmed fish, weakening immunocompetence and compromising overall health and survival. As climate change stressors intensify, there is an urgent need for cost-effective and environmentally friendly strategies to enhance fish resilience. This study investigated the efficacy of <i>Laminaria digitata</i>, a brown macroalga, included in aquafeeds as powder (0.3% and 1.5%) or extract (0.3%) in improving the stress response of juvenile gilthead seabream (<i>Sparus aurata</i>) co-exposed to <i>Vibrio harveyi</i> infection during a category III MHW event. Under control conditions, <i>L. digitata</i> supplementation maintained or improved fish growth performance and overall well-being. After MHW exposure, the 1.5% powdered and 0.3% extract diets were more effective in mitigating thermal stress, reducing liver oxidative stress and lowering plasma cortisol levels. In infected fish, these diets improved resistance to <i>V. harveyi</i>, with reduced cortisol and alanine aminotransferase concentrations indicating hepatoprotective properties, and lower lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities reflecting an amplified capacity to counteract oxidative stress induced by inflammation. Overall, <i>L. digitata</i> is a promising aquafeed supplement, with the 1.5% powdered form offering a cost-effective alternative to the extract without compromising efficacy.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/13/1970aquacultureclimate change<i>Laminaria digitata</i>macroalgae<i>Vibrio harveyi</i>functional feeds
spellingShingle Alícia Pereira
Isa Marmelo
Tomás Chainho
Daniel Bolotas
Marta Dias
Rui Cereja
Marisa Barata
Pedro Pousão-Ferreira
Elsa F. Vieira
Cristina Delerue-Matos
Mário S. Diniz
António Marques
Ana Luísa Maulvault
Improving Farmed Juvenile Gilthead Seabream (<i>Sparus aurata</i>) Stress Response to Marine Heatwaves and Vibriosis Through Seaweed-Based Dietary Modulation
Animals
aquaculture
climate change
<i>Laminaria digitata</i>
macroalgae
<i>Vibrio harveyi</i>
functional feeds
title Improving Farmed Juvenile Gilthead Seabream (<i>Sparus aurata</i>) Stress Response to Marine Heatwaves and Vibriosis Through Seaweed-Based Dietary Modulation
title_full Improving Farmed Juvenile Gilthead Seabream (<i>Sparus aurata</i>) Stress Response to Marine Heatwaves and Vibriosis Through Seaweed-Based Dietary Modulation
title_fullStr Improving Farmed Juvenile Gilthead Seabream (<i>Sparus aurata</i>) Stress Response to Marine Heatwaves and Vibriosis Through Seaweed-Based Dietary Modulation
title_full_unstemmed Improving Farmed Juvenile Gilthead Seabream (<i>Sparus aurata</i>) Stress Response to Marine Heatwaves and Vibriosis Through Seaweed-Based Dietary Modulation
title_short Improving Farmed Juvenile Gilthead Seabream (<i>Sparus aurata</i>) Stress Response to Marine Heatwaves and Vibriosis Through Seaweed-Based Dietary Modulation
title_sort improving farmed juvenile gilthead seabream i sparus aurata i stress response to marine heatwaves and vibriosis through seaweed based dietary modulation
topic aquaculture
climate change
<i>Laminaria digitata</i>
macroalgae
<i>Vibrio harveyi</i>
functional feeds
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/13/1970
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