Development of a microencapsulated formulation of the Phytase enzyme as a strategy to increase the bioavailability of phosphorus for use in Sustainable Aquaculture

• Grant number: 24/07275-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Chemistry of Macromolecules
• Principal Investigator: Leonardo Fernandes Fraceto
• Grantee: Tania Carolina Benavides Cuaspud
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Sorocaba. Sorocaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/10639-5 - Center for Research on Biodiversity Dynamics and Climate Change, AP.CEPID

Abstract

By 2030, aquatic production and organisms are predicted to increase by a further 13%, mainly due to the intensification and expansion of sustainable aquaculture production. This growth should preserve the health of aquatic ecosystems, prevent pollution and protect biodiversity. Therefore, pressure is mounting to use more sustainable and innovative ingredients in aquaculture feeds. Today, plant-based ingredients are increasingly used to replace fishmeal to reduce costs, improve sustainability and meet the demand for high-quality proteins. One of the main problems that arise when using these diets are antinutritional factors and the high release of N and P. Enzyme supplementation in these diets with different ingredients and vegetable by-products can improve the digestibility and absorption of ingredients of plant origin, increasing the parameters fish growth and reducing the impact on the environment. Technological needs have considered these catalysts essential in many industrial sectors and research is constantly carried out to optimize their use in these processes. This research aims to seek new alternatives using encapsulation of the phytase enzyme with different polymeric matrices in order to increase enzymatic activity and thus improve nutrient availability processes for fish, thus reducing the possible environmental impacts of high amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus. in the environment.