Manuel Labbe

Dr. Manuel Labbe


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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16 October 2026 in Antioxidants
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Pallab SarkerPallab Sarker
Pallab Sarker
MLManuel Labbe
Manuel Labbe
BSBenjamin V. Schoffstall
Benjamin V. Schoffstall
AKAnne R. Kapuscinski
Anne R. Kapuscinski
BMBrandi McKuin
Brandi McKuin
DODiego Gonzalez Orcajo
Diego Gonzalez Orcajo
As global demand for affordable, high-quality protein continues to rise, commercial aquaculture has emerged as a critical solution. The industry’s reliance on ocean-derived fishmeal (FM) and fish oil (FO) for aquafeed poses sustainability concerns. Marine microalgae offer a promising alternative due to their comparable nutrient profiles and potential for large-scale, sustainable production. We conducted a feeding trial with juvenile rainbow trout to evaluate fish-free, microalgae-based diets as alternatives to FM and FO. Diets were formulated using Nannochloropsis oculata (N. oculata) by-product as a protein source and Schizochytrium sp. (whole-cell or oil) as a source of DHA and key antioxidants. Diets included a reference formulation containing FMFO and three experimental diets: 75% replacement of FMFO using N. oculata and Schizochytrium whole-cell (NSW75), 100% replacement using both (NSW100), and 100% replacement using N. oculata and Schizochytrium oil (NSO100). The NSW100 diet supported growth and feed conversion comparable to the FMFO control; the NSO100 had lower growth than the FMFO control. Cost analysis revealed that fish-free diets had the numerically lowest, though not significantly different, values for formulated feed costs and economic conversion ratios, highlighting their commercial potential. These findings demonstrate that microalgae-based aquafeeds combining N. oculata and Schizochytrium sp. can viably replace FMFO.