In the present study, an organic substrate (coffee silverskin) enriched with spirulina (Arthrospira platensis; 15% w/w), as a source of lipids and bioactive molecules, was used to rear the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) prepupae. Three grossly isonitrogenous, isoproteic, isolipidic and isoenergetic experimental diets for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles were then produced: a control diet (HM0) mostly including fish meal and fish oil, and two other test diets named HM3 and HM20, in which 3 or 20% of the marine ingredients were substituted with full fat black soldier fly prepupae meal (HM), respectively. Experimental diets were provided for 6 weeks, and at the end of the trial the physiological responses and marketable traits of the fish were investigated using a multidisciplinary approach. Generally, all test diets were well accepted, and fish growth, gut and liver health status, and marketable characteristics were not impaired by the experimental diets. However, an increased immuno-related gene expression along with a slight reduction of fillet redness and yellowness was evident in fish from the HM20 group.

This study evaluated the effects of dietary cannabidiol (CBD) supplementation on behavior, blood parameters, oxidative status, metabolomic profile, and the fatty acid composition of meat and liver in rabbits. A total of 42 New Zealand White × California rabbits (60 days old; 1:1 sex ratio; average weight 1621.3 ± 46.2 g) were randomly assigned to two groups (a control group, CTRL, and a CBD group, n = 21 each). Both groups received the same commercial diet, with the CBD group additionally supplemented with 0.1 mL of cannabis extract in coconut oil, corresponding to 10 mg CBD/animal/day. At 92 days of age, rabbits were slaughtered, and samples were collected for analyses. Results showed that CBD supplementation significantly improved body weight gain, reduced plasma triglyceride levels, and enhanced oxidative status. Behavioral observations indicated increased motor and grooming activities in CBD-supplemented animals, suggesting enhanced psychological well-being. The fatty acid profile of meat and liver was not significantly altered by CBD supplementation. Overall, dietary CBD demonstrated the potential to positively influence physiological and behavioral responses, representing a promising strategy to enhance animal welfare and productivity in rabbit farming. Although no adverse effects on lipid profiles were observed, further studies are warranted to explore CBD’s role in lipid metabolism and cholesterol regulation.

Queen bee ( Apis mellifera ligustica Spin.) larvae meal (QBLM) is a valuable by-product of royal jelly production with high nutritional value and biological activities. This work evaluates the effects of its inclusion (1, 2 and 3%) in the diet for 120 European sea bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax ) (80-day trial) on growth performance, fillet quality, hepatointestinal histomorphology and inflammation. No effects were found in growth performance and marketable traits of fish. No statistical significance was detected for the liver total lipid content, while a trend of increase in n-3 PUFA content was observed in the fillets of QBLM-fed fish. QBLM 3% fillets showed an improved oxidative status, with lower conjugated dienes (CD) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) values. Liver histomorphometry showed that diets influenced the shape of the hepatocytes. Hepatocyte nuclear dimensions were significantly higher in QBLM-fed groups compared to the control (CTRL). QBLM 3% fed fish did not show nuclear displacement and presented a more regular-tissue morphology. Moreover, a lower level of hepatocyte hypertrophy and leukocyte infiltration was observed in QBLM 2% and QBLM 3% fed fish. The Liver Histopathological Index was significantly lower in fish fed the QBLM enriched diets. A significant reduction of TNFα and COX2 immunopositivity was found in the liver of QBLM 3% compared to the CTRL. Intestinal histology showed that the inclusion of QBLM reduced the tissue structural damage, and the number of goblet cells compared to the CTRL group. No significant differences were found for TNFα immunoexpression in the intestine. Based on these results, the inclusion of QBLM in the diet produced beneficial effects on the health of European sea bass, especially at the highest tested inclusion dose (3%). In conclusion, QBLM appears to be a promising sustainable and environmentally friendly feed ingredient in the aquaculture sector.

In the originally published version of this article

I prodotti ittici ricoprono un ruolo centrale nella transizione verso regimi alimentari sostenibili. In questo contesto, l’acquacoltura rappresenta un settore strategico per la Blue Economy europea, ma il suo sviluppo dipende fortemente dall'accettazione dei consumatori. Uno studio recente (Orlando et al., 2026) ha analizzato le tendenze della letteratura scientifica (1991-2024) tramite text mining su 89 pubblicazioni, in prevalenza europee. I risultati evidenziano sette macro-tematiche principali, tra cui domina il confronto tra pesce pescato e allevato. In generale, il pesce d'allevamento sconta un pregiudizio negativo legato a preoccupazioni ambientali e a idee errate sui metodi di produzione, sebbene nelle prove di assaggio alla cieca registri spesso un alto gradimento. Poiché la qualità percepita è influenzata dalle aspettative e dalle conoscenze del consumatore, una comunicazione trasparente, accessibile e basata su evidenze scientifiche appare indispensabile per superare i pregiudizi e orientare scelte di acquisto davvero consapevoli.