Turbot Transformation: How Curcumin May Boost Aquaculture Sustainability And Fish Growth

Over de thesis van La Nguyễn Thế Hiển

Impacts of curcumin supplementation on growth performance, and oxidative status, during benthonic feeding of turbot postlarvae (Scophthalmus maximus) (2024)

Promotor(en) Sofia Engrola & Veerle Fievez, Faculteit Bio-ingenieurswetenschappen

lib.ugent.be

SDG 2 – Geen honger | SDG 9 – Industrie, innovatie en infrastructuur | SDG 14 – Leven in het water

Redactie door

Green Office

Aquaculture has become a global powerhouse, surpassing traditional fisheries and playing an essential role in food security and economic growth. But as the industry scales up, challenges such as high mortality rates, disease outbreaks, and/or poor growth rate in young fish persist. In my research, I explored how dietary curcumin—a natural antioxidant from turmeric—could be a sustainable solution to improve growth and health in turbot postlarvae. My findings suggest curcumin could not only enhance growth but also contribute to a more resilient and environmentally friendly aquaculture sector.

Picture by Hien (MSc thesis, Aquaculture Research Group, CCMAR, Faro, Portugal)

The Aquaculture Challenge: The Motivation Behind My Study

Turbot, a high-value flatfish, undergoes a vulnerable transformation during its early stages, moving from larva to juvenile. This transformation, or metamorphosis, involves eye migration and body changes that make young fish more susceptible to stress, disease, and high mortality rates. Turbot larvae require optimized conditions and balanced nutrition to survive these critical periods, especially as oxidative stress from rapid growth can harm cellular health. Currently, hatcheries rely on synthetic chemicals and antibiotics to support fish health, but these methods carry environmental and health risks. Natural alternatives like curcumin could offer a sustainable way forward.

Image by Frimufilms, accessed via Freepik

Curcumin: More Than a Spice

Curcumin, a bioactive compound from turmeric, is widely known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in human health. In aquaculture, recent studies show that curcumin can potentially support fish growth and enhance immunity by combating oxidative stress. Unlike synthetic additives, curcumin is natural and biodegradable, making it an appealing option for environmentally conscious aquaculture practices. My research focuses on whether adding curcumin to the diet of turbot postlarvae could help them grow faster and healthier through this metamorphic stage.

Testing Curcumin’s Impact on Growth and Health

To assess curcumin’s effects, I conducted a 35-day feeding trial with three groups of turbot postlarvae: a control group and two groups receiving different doses of curcumin. Over the trial, we tracked each group’s growth rate, body length, and antioxidant levels to understand how curcumin influenced their overall health and resilience. In particular, we measured changes in specific antioxidants that help the fish manage oxidative stress, such as catalase and glutathione, which protect cells from damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Image by maria9407 accessed via Pixabay

Promising Growth Results

The results were striking. Turbot postlarvae receiving the lower dose of curcumin showed significant improvements in both body weight and growth rate compared to the control group. In fact, during the most vulnerable stage (between 27 and 48 days after hatching), the curcumin-treated fish grew faster and achieved greater body mass without any negative impact on survival rates. This suggests that curcumin not only supports healthy development but could also make turbot farming more efficient by improving the early growth stages.

The comparison in body dry weight (mg) of turbot postlarvae fed different diets at 48 and 62 DAH. The results are expressed as mean + standard deviation (One-Way ANOVA, Post-hoc Tukey HSD; α = 0.05). Created by the author

Oxidative Stress Under Control

Curcumin’s antioxidant effects were another promising outcome of the study. Fish in the curcumin-supplemented groups exhibited improved antioxidant levels, which help to neutralize harmful oxidative molecules that can damage cells and slow down growth. Interestingly, while overall antioxidant activity did not vary significantly, curcumin supplementation maintained the fish’s antioxidant defenses even as they grew rapidly. This steady defense system could support fish in handling the stresses of metamorphosis, leading to healthier, stronger postlarvae.

Beyond Growth: Curcumin’s Potential for Sustainable Aquaculture

The benefits of curcumin extend beyond immediate growth. Using natural plant compounds like curcumin as a feed supplement aligns well with sustainability goals, such as reducing reliance on synthetic additives and lowering environmental pollution. As a natural, biodegradable additive, curcumin reduces the risk of residual pollutants entering marine ecosystems, which can occur with synthetic chemicals. The broader use of curcumin and similar plant-based additives could support aquaculture’s shift toward environmentally responsible practices, benefiting both the industry and marine biodiversity.

The Path Forward: Curcumin as a Game-Changer?

While the findings are promising, more research is necessary to understand curcumin’s long-term impacts and optimal dosing. For instance, evaluating its effects on other fish species and broader production systems could help determine whether curcumin has a role in mainstream aquaculture diets. If future studies confirm its benefits, curcumin could be an effective, natural solution for sustainable fish farming, supporting both robust fish growth and a healthier marine environment.

Conclusion: A Sustainable Boost for Aquaculture

Curcumin shows potential as a natural growth stimulant and antioxidant for turbot, offering aquaculture a sustainable, effective alternative to synthetic additives. By improving early-stage fish health and supporting efficient growth, curcumin could help the industry meet rising demands without compromising environmental integrity. As aquaculture continues to expand, innovations like curcumin supplementation may pave the way for a more resilient, eco-friendly approach to feeding the world.

Over La Nguyễn Thế Hiển

My name is Hien, La Nguyen The, I am from Vietnam. The rapid development of the aquaculture industry over the few past decades was the major inspiration for me choosing Aquaculture as my future career. Coming from one of the biggest aquaculture producers in the world (Vietnam) I am well aware the challenges need to be overcome as well as opportunities that need to be pursued such as innovative nutrition solutions. My primary goal is to contribute my efforts to improve the sustainable development for not only in Vietnam but the worldwide scale. I graduated with an MSc degree in Aquaculture in September of 2024 from Ghent University, where I have developed a strong foundation in aquaculture research especially in fish nutrition. After graduation I will continue to conduct research in this field and with a deeper focus on aquaculture nutrition. At the beginning of next year I will start a new journey in my career as a PhD student at DTU (Technical University of Denmark), this time I will focus on the optimization of amino acids in fish feed, with the purpose of reducing the negative impacts of aquaculture on environment as well as boosting fish health and performance.