A surprising discovery has emerged from a joint Filipino-Egyptian research project. Common ingredients found in chewing gum, Arabic gum, and lecithin significantly improve the health of tilapia. They also enhance the survival rates of this popular fish species. This breakthrough potentially expands tilapia farming beyond tropical regions.
Native to Africa, Nile tilapia thrive in warm waters. Yet, their sensitivity to cold temperatures limits their cultivation outside tropical climates. The research team, including Dr. Janice Alano Ragaza from Ateneo de Manila University, studied the effects of Arabic gum and lecithin on tilapia fingerlings.
Photo: Benha University / National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Egypt.
The results were promising. Tilapia fed with a diet containing these ingredients showed increased levels of essential minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants. These nutritional boosts helped the fish better withstand the stresses of cold environments, even activating genes linked to cold tolerance.
Oceanography and Fisheries, Egypt.
This discovery revolutionizes tilapia farming by enabling cultivation in regions with colder climates. It also highlights the potential of unconventional food ingredients to enhance aquaculture practices.
