Incorporation of macroalgae to fish feed lowers allergenic properties in fish: An opinion study

Abstract

As additional information about the chemistry and function of the food produced and its effects on health be comes available, the concept of a nutritious diet continues to evolve and become more precise. Such foods can be made using marine and terrestrial organisms, such as fish that contain long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that exhibit effects and play an important role in health. However, fish consumption has been linked to cases of fish allergy, an IgE-mediated condition that has a prevalence reaching 7% of allergic events. Marine macroalgae – with all their health-promoting properties – have become of interest lately to be used as an alternative ingredient in fish feed that is important to minimize allergens in fish consumption that may be harmful to human health. This opinion is trying to summarize the latest evidence on fish feed fortification with macroalgae as a solution to reduce allergies due to fish consumption. It was highlighted that feeding fish with macroalgae fortification was proven to increase growth, stress resistance, and the immune system of fish, as well as reduce the amount of protein retention associated with the pathophysiology of fish allergy. In addition, in the development of the use of macroalgae, it is also expected that in vitro and in vivo research will also be carried out to prove the provision of fish feed with macroalgae related to fish allergies and focus on producing macroalgae formulations that are suitable for application as fish feed to prevent or reduce the incidence of fish allergy in humans.