Insect based feeds (entofeeds) are emerging as a promising alternative for aquaculture nutrition, offering numerous advantages over conventional feed sources. This review assesses the nutritional composition of entofeeds, highlighting their rich protein content, essential amino acid profiles, healthy lipid compositions, as well as micronutrients. Compared to traditional feeds like fish meal, entofeeds have a great potential in reducing reliance on marine resources while minimizing environmental impacts, including land, water, and energy use. Additionally, their ability to upcycle organic waste supports the concept of circular economy. The review also explores feeding trials in various aquaculture species, demonstrating positive outcomes in growth performance, feed conversion efficiency, and immune health. Despite these advantages, entofeeds face challenges related to regulatory approvals, cost-effectiveness, and consumer acceptance. This review identifies areas for future research, including optimizing entofeeds formulations, scaling production, and enhancing their integration into sustainable aquaculture practices. Ultimately, entofeeds hold significant potential to address current sustainability challenges in aquaculture while shaping the future of animal feed.

Fresh Wolffia globosa, the smallest flowering plant well-known for its favorable nutrient composition and rich content of bioactive compounds, was subjected to boiling, freeze-thawing, and mechanical crushing to reduce its excessive (95-96%) moisture level and consequent drying time. The resultant three wolffia matrixes were filtered through a plankton net to fractionate into the residue and the filtrate. The proximate composition, bioactive metabolites, antioxidant activity, and characterization of bioactive metabolites by LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were made from oven-dried residues and filtrates. Among residues, crude protein (29.84%), crude lipid (5.77%), total carotenoids (TCC; 722.8 μg/g), and vitamin C (70.02 mg/100 g) were the highest (p < 0.05) for freeze-thawing against higher ash (7.99%), total phenolic content (TPC; 191.47 mg GAE g^-1 dry weight), total flavonoid content (TFC; 91.54 mg QE g^-1 dry weight), DPPH activity (47.46%), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activity (570.19 μmol FeSO₄ equiv/mg) for the crushed counterpart and Chl-b in residues from boiling. No significant variation was evident in the total tannin content (TTC). Among filtrates, higher total phenolic content (773.29 mg GAE g^-1 dry weight), TFC (392.77 mg QE g^-1 dry weight), TTC (22.51 mg TAE g^-1), and antioxidant activity as DPPH activity (66.46%) and FRAP (891.62 μmol FeSO₄ equiv/mg) were evident for boiling, while that from crushing exhibited the highest TCC (1997.38 μg/g DM). LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS analysis identified 72 phenolic compounds with the maximum in residue (33) and filtrate (33) from freeze-thawing, followed by crushing (18 and 19) and boiling (14 and 13) in order, respectively. The results indicated that the predrying cell rupturing method significantly impacted quantitative, as well as qualitative compositions of residues and filtrates from fresh wolffia.

The aquaculture industry faces growing challenges due to the increasing global demand for fish products, leading to significant environmental impacts. To meet this demand sustainably, Biofloc Technology (BFT) has emerged as a key solution. BFT utilizes inorganic nitrogen from aquaculture wastewater to improve water quality while simultaneously producing biofloc, which serves as a nutritious feed source for aquatic animals. This results in lower feed conversion ratios (FCR), higher protein efficiency ratios (PER), and improved animal growth and welfare. Feed costs, a major financial burden in aquaculture, are significantly reduced through BFT, benefiting both established and novice farmers. Additionally, BFT conserves water and reduces land usage, addressing key limitations of traditional aquaculture systems. Despite its advantages, certain challenges need to be resolved for BFT to become a fully sustainable and widespread approach, ensuring aquaculture can meet the growing global demand for fish protein without compromising the environment. This review explores the potential and future directions of BFT in strengthening the aquaculture industry.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of varying levels of dietary exogenous papain on the growth performance, survival rate, nutrient utilization, protein digestibility, digestive enzyme activity, and oxidative stress response in Labeo rohita fingerlings. A control diet was formulated using rice bran, groundnut oil cake, wheat flour, and a vitamin-mineral mixture. Experimental diets were prepared by supplementing the control diet with different levels of papain enzyme powder: T0 (0% papain, control), T1 (1.0%), T2 (2.0%), T3 (3.0%), T4 (4.0%), and T5 (5.0%). The diets were fed to the fish for 60 days. Results indicated that weight gain, weight gain percentage, daily growth rate (DGR), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and apparent protein digestibility (APD) significantly improved (P < 0.05) with the inclusion of up to 2% papain in the diet. Throughout the experiment, a 100% survival rate was observed in all groups except T4. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were also noted in PER, protein absorption ratio (PAR), and digestive enzyme activities (lipase and protease) among the treatments. The highest intestinal protease and lipase activities were observed in fish fed the diet supplemented with 2% papain. Additionally, liver antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), were significantly enhanced with up to 2% papain inclusion in the diet. Therefore, a 2% inclusion of papain enzyme in the diet is recommended to optimize growth performance, protein digestibility, digestive enzyme activities, and oxidative stress response in Labeo rohita fingerlings.

The objective of this study was to reveal the growth, colouration and gonado-physiological changes due to the exogenous aromatase inhibitor (AIs) in an ornamental fish. 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) and letrozole (LET) were used as potential AIs. The AI were supplemented with a gel-based feed (LET: 50, 100, 150 and MT: 12.5, 25, 37.5 mg/kg feed) in Rosy barb, Pethia conchonius fry. The fishes were reared in a 45-L glass tank using AI treated gel-based feed for 3 months. Growth in AI-based diets was reduced but the reduction was minimal compared to the control. At 25 mg/kg feed of 17 MT, the highest male proportion (84.72% 6.05%) was recorded, which was significantly higher (P≤0.05) than other groups. L*, a*, and b* values showed that 17α-MT-fed groups had brighter coloration (P≤0.05). Histological sections showed that LET-17α-MT suppressed ovarian development, causing atretic oocytes. Testicular development was unaffected. 25 mg/kg-treated feed increased SOD, CAT, GST, and GPX. The AI (MT) at 25 mg/kg gel-based feed could therefore be utilised for musculinization without impacting growth, colour, and antioxidant activity of rosy barb, which serves the entire male population in the ornamental fish sector.