Antioxidant Additives in Fish Feeds

Abstract

Antioxidants are used as additives in many foods offered for human consumption. The most important protein source foods are also aquaculture products. Antioxidants are used to prevent oxidation problems in the feeds used in the production of these products. The task of antioxidants is to prevent rancidity of fats and to keep feeds stable. Fish fed with oxidized feeds experience many negative effects such as growth retardation, low feed utilization, weak immune system and reduced resistance to diseases. As a result, it can cause great economic losses along with fish losses. Synthetic antioxidants have been used successfully for many years. However, in recent years, some restrictions and regulations have been introduced in the use of synthetic antioxidants. Therefore, natural antioxidants have begun to replace synthetic antioxidants. The sources of natural antioxidants are quite abundant, such as fruits, vegetables, plant extracts, marine macro and microalgae. In recent years, researches on these natural antioxidants and their use in fish feeds have been increasing.