Camelina Omega-3 Oil for Optimal Heart and Gill Health
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Stirling
Department Name: Institute of Aquaculture
Abstract
Dietary omega-3 fatty acids, vital for immune system function, heart health, and brain development, are essential as the human body cannot produce them. Fish and seafood, comprising over half of our consumed fish and now mostly farmed, are unique omega-3 sources. Historically, high omega-3 levels in farmed fish relied on marine ingredients—fishmeal and fish oil—derived paradoxically from fisheries nearing sustainability limits, rendering them finite. The expansion of fish farming, facilitated by diluting traditional marine ingredients with cost-effective alternatives like plant meals and vegetable oils lacking omega-3, resulted in a 50% reduction in omega-3 levels in farmed Atlantic salmon.
Omega-3 is equally crucial for fish and human health. The shift to low marine feeds in fish farming correlates with increased inflammatory diseases in farmed fish, impacting both their health and welfare. Reduced omega-3 levels affect the immune response to various pathogens in farmed fish, including parasites, bacteria, and viruses. This dual impact prompted the fish farming community, especially in salmon production, to address the disparity between omega-3 supply and demand.
Consequently, new omega-3-rich oils from marine microalgae and genetically-modified (GM) oilseed crops have emerged as alternative feed ingredients for farmed fish. While studies confirm their efficacy in elevating omega-3 content, their impact on fish health and potential environmental consequences have been overlooked. This project will specifically explore the health impacts of a GM-crop oil as a feed ingredient for farmed Atlantic salmon. The research will assess its influence on salmon response to specific diseases, elucidate biochemical and molecular mechanisms affecting fish health and membrane resilience, evaluate environmental impacts, and quantify the potential of these new dietary oils for UK salmon farming.
The proposal, timely and highly relevant, addresses current needs through cutting-edge research to enhance the quality and efficiency of modern alternative feeds in fish farming. It aims to improve production and feed efficiency while sustaining fish health and enhancing the nutritional quality of farmed fish, contributing to greater sustainability and food security.
Omega-3 is equally crucial for fish and human health. The shift to low marine feeds in fish farming correlates with increased inflammatory diseases in farmed fish, impacting both their health and welfare. Reduced omega-3 levels affect the immune response to various pathogens in farmed fish, including parasites, bacteria, and viruses. This dual impact prompted the fish farming community, especially in salmon production, to address the disparity between omega-3 supply and demand.
Consequently, new omega-3-rich oils from marine microalgae and genetically-modified (GM) oilseed crops have emerged as alternative feed ingredients for farmed fish. While studies confirm their efficacy in elevating omega-3 content, their impact on fish health and potential environmental consequences have been overlooked. This project will specifically explore the health impacts of a GM-crop oil as a feed ingredient for farmed Atlantic salmon. The research will assess its influence on salmon response to specific diseases, elucidate biochemical and molecular mechanisms affecting fish health and membrane resilience, evaluate environmental impacts, and quantify the potential of these new dietary oils for UK salmon farming.
The proposal, timely and highly relevant, addresses current needs through cutting-edge research to enhance the quality and efficiency of modern alternative feeds in fish farming. It aims to improve production and feed efficiency while sustaining fish health and enhancing the nutritional quality of farmed fish, contributing to greater sustainability and food security.
| Description | BioMar |
| Organisation | BioMar |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Consultancy and advice. Project management. Laboratory analyses. |
| Collaborator Contribution | BioMar are an international feed company and have formulated and manufactured all feeds used in nutritional trials (in-kind contribution). Funded PhD studentships and collaborative research |
| Impact | Joint publications. Papers (4 published, one submitted as of Feb 2017. doi:10.1038/srep08104 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2015.03.020 doi:10.1007/s11745-016-4191-4 http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0159934 Betancor, M.B., Li K; Sprague M; Sayanova O; Usher S; Måsøval K; Torrissen O; Napier JA; Tocher DR; Olsen RE; (2017) An oil containing EPA and DHA from transgenic Camelina sativa to replace marine fish oil in feeds for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.): Effects on intestinal transcriptome, histology, tissue fatty acid profiles and plasma biochemistry. PLoS ONE, submitted. Conference abstracts (9) Betancor, M.B. Napier, J.A., Bell, J.G., Sayanova, O., Campbell, P.J. and Tocher, D.R. (2014) Replacement of marine fish oil with high-EPA oil from transgenic Camelina sativa in feeds for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Oral presentation, p.5. Proceedings XVI International Symposium on Fish Nutrition & Feeding (ISFNF) 25-30 May 2014, Cairns, Australia. Tocher, D.R., Betancor, M.B., Campbell, P.J. and Napier, J.A. (2014) Oil from a transgenic oilseed as a source of n-3 LC-PUFA in feeds for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Abstract Oral O26, p.41. Proceedings 55th International Conference on the Bioscience of Lipids (ICBL), 23 - 27 June 2014, Aberdeen, Scotland. Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. Betancor, M.B. Napier, J.A., Bell, J.G., Sayanova, O., Campbell, P.J. and Tocher, D.R. (2014) Use of high-EPA oil from transgenic Camelina sativa in feeds for aquaculture. Abstract Oral 01.10.1615.003, p.33-34. 11th Congress of the International Society for the Study of fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL) 28 June - 2 July 2014, Stockholm, Sweden. Betancor, M.B., Sprague, M., Campbell, P.J., Napier, J.A. and Tocher, D.R. (2014) High-EPA oil from transgenic Camelina sativa as a replacement for marine fish oil in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) feeds. Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland (MASTS) Annual Science Meeting, 3 - 5 September, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. Betancor, M.B. Sprague, M., Sayanova, O., Usher, S., Campbell, P.J., Napier, J.A. and Tocher, D.R. (2014) High-EPA oil from transgenic Camelina sativa as a replacement for marine fish oil in feeds for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Abstract (oral) for Aquaculture Europe 2014 "Adding Value", 14-17 October 2014, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain, European Aquaculture Society, p. 1329-1330. Betancor, M.B., Sprague, M., Sayanova, O., Usher, S., Campbell, P.J., Napier, J.A. and Tocher, D.R. (2015) Replacement of marine fish oil with oils from transgenic Camelina sativa in feeds for gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Proceedings of the 13th Euro Fed Lipid Congress: Fats, Oils and Lipids: New Challenges in Technology, Quality Control. p.XX. Florence, Italy, 27-30 September, 2015. European Federation for the Science and Technology of Lipids. Tocher, D.R., Betancor, M.B. Sprague, M., Sayanova, O., Usher, S., Campbell, P.J. and Napier, J.A. (2015) Transgenic Camelina sativa as a source of oils to replace marine fish oil in aquaculture feeds. Abstract (oral) for Aquaculture Europe 2015 "Aquaculture, Nature and Society", 20-23 October 2015, Rotterdam, Netherlands, European Aquaculture Society, p. 794-795. Betancor. M.B., Sprague, M., Sayanova, O., Campbell, P.J., Izquierdo, M., Napier, J.A. and Tocher, D.R. (2016) Oils from a transgenic oilseed crop, Camelina sativa, to replace marine fish oil in aquafeeds. Abstract presentation, XVII International Symposium on Fish Nutrition & Feeding (ISFNF) 5-10 June 2016, Sun Valley, Idaho, USA. Betancor, M.B., Li, K., Bardal, T., Sprague, M., Sayanova, O., Usher, S., Måsøval, K., Torrissen, O., Napier, J.A., Tocher, D.R. and Olsen, R.E. (2016) An oil containing EPA and DHA from transgenic Camelina sativa to replace marine fish oil in feeds for Atlantic salmon (salmo salar): effects on intestinal transcriptome. Abstract (oral) for Aquaculture Europe 2016 "Food for Thought", 20-23 September 2016, Edinburgh, Scotland, European Aquaculture Society, p.106-107. |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | Rothamsted Research |
| Organisation | Rothamsted Research |
| Department | Biological Chemistry and Crop Protection |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | UoS and RRES collaborate to produce n-3 LC-PUFA in transgenic crops for use as feed ingredients for aquaculture (fish farming). In UoS, we test the oils from GM crops produced by RRES as ingredients in fish diets. |
| Collaborator Contribution | RRES are the crop scientists producing the transgenic oilseed crops and thus the novel omega-3-rich oils. |
| Impact | Joint publications. Papers (10 published, as of March 2020). doi:10.1038/srep08104 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2015.03.020 doi:10.1007/s11745-016-4191-4 http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0159934 ISSN: 0968-297X https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0175415 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114518001125 doi:10.3390/nu11010089 doi: 10.1111/pbi.13045 Project presented at Cheltenham Science Festival May 2014, Royal Highland Show June 2014 and Great British Bioscience Festival, London November 2014 (BBSRC 20th Anniversary events) Project reported in oral presentations at 2 national (MASTS 2012 and MASTS 2013) and 10 international conferences (ISFNF 2014, Cairns Australia May 2014; ISSFAL, Stockholm June 2014; ICBL 2014, Aberdeen June 2014; Aquaculture Europe, San Sebastian, October 2014; Aquaculture Europe, Rotterdam, October 2015; ISFNF 2016, Idaho, USA; Aquaculture Europe, Edinburgh, September 2016; ISFNF 2018, Las Palmas, Spain May 2018; Marine Biotechnology Conference, Shizuoka, Japan, September 2019; Aquaculture Europe, Berlin, October 2019). Abstracts below. Betancor, M.B. Napier, J.A., Bell, J.G., Sayanova, O., Campbell, P.J. and Tocher, D.R. (2014) Replacement of marine fish oil with high-EPA oil from transgenic Camelina sativa in feeds for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Oral presentation, p.5. Proceedings XVI International Symposium on Fish Nutrition & Feeding (ISFNF) 25-30 May 2014, Cairns, Australia. Tocher, D.R., Betancor, M.B., Campbell, P.J. and Napier, J.A. (2014) Oil from a transgenic oilseed as a source of n-3 LC-PUFA in feeds for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Abstract Oral O26, p.41. Proceedings 55th International Conference on the Bioscience of Lipids (ICBL), 23 - 27 June 2014, Aberdeen, Scotland. Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. Betancor, M.B. Napier, J.A., Bell, J.G., Sayanova, O., Campbell, P.J. and Tocher, D.R. (2014) Use of high-EPA oil from transgenic Camelina sativa in feeds for aquaculture. Abstract Oral 01.10.1615.003, p.33-34. 11th Congress of the International Society for the Study of fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL) 28 June - 2 July 2014, Stockholm, Sweden. Betancor, M.B., Sprague, M., Campbell, P.J., Napier, J.A. and Tocher, D.R. (2014) High-EPA oil from transgenic Camelina sativa as a replacement for marine fish oil in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) feeds. Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland (MASTS) Annual Science Meeting, 3 - 5 September, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. Betancor, M.B. Sprague, M., Sayanova, O., Usher, S., Campbell, P.J., Napier, J.A. and Tocher, D.R. (2014) High-EPA oil from transgenic Camelina sativa as a replacement for marine fish oil in feeds for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Abstract (oral) for Aquaculture Europe 2014 "Adding Value", 14-17 October 2014, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain, European Aquaculture Society, p. 1329-1330. Betancor, M.B., Sprague, M., Sayanova, O., Usher, S., Campbell, P.J., Napier, J.A. and Tocher, D.R. (2015) Replacement of marine fish oil with oils from transgenic Camelina sativa in feeds for gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Proceedings of the 13th Euro Fed Lipid Congress: Fats, Oils and Lipids: New Challenges in Technology, Quality Control. p.XX. Florence, Italy, 27-30 September, 2015. European Federation for the Science and Technology of Lipids. Tocher, D.R., Betancor, M.B. Sprague, M., Sayanova, O., Usher, S., Campbell, P.J. and Napier, J.A. (2015) Transgenic Camelina sativa as a source of oils to replace marine fish oil in aquaculture feeds. Abstract (oral) for Aquaculture Europe 2015 "Aquaculture, Nature and Society", 20-23 October 2015, Rotterdam, Netherlands, European Aquaculture Society, p. 794-795. Betancor. M.B., Sprague, M., Sayanova, O., Campbell, P.J., Izquierdo, M., Napier, J.A. and Tocher, D.R. (2016) Oils from a transgenic oilseed crop, Camelina sativa, to replace marine fish oil in aquafeeds. Abstract presentation, XVII International Symposium on Fish Nutrition & Feeding (ISFNF) 5-10 June 2016, Sun Valley, Idaho, USA. Betancor, M.B., Li, K., Bardal, T., Sprague, M., Sayanova, O., Usher, S., Måsøval, K., Torrissen, O., Napier, J.A., Tocher, D.R. and Olsen, R.E. (2016) An oil containing EPA and DHA from transgenic Camelina sativa to replace marine fish oil in feeds for Atlantic salmon (salmo salar): effects on intestinal transcriptome. Abstract (oral) for Aquaculture Europe 2016 "Food for Thought", 20-23 September 2016, Edinburgh, Scotland, European Aquaculture Society, p.106-107. Napier, J., Haslam, R., Han, L., Sayanova, O., Betancor, M.B. and Tocher, D.R. (2018) Heterologous synthesis of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in transgenic plants: a terrestrial source of fish oils. Abstract 3.03, 18th International Symposium on Fish Nutrition & Feeding (ISFNF) 3-7 June 2018, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. Tocher, D.R., Betancor, M.B., Sprague, M. and Napier, J.A. (2019) Engineering Camelina sativa as a novel de novo source of marine omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Keynote lecture O14-4, p.92. Joint Marine Biotechnology Conference, 12th International Marine Biotechnology Conference (IMBC2019)/12th Asia Pacific Marine Biotechnology Conference, Shizuoka, Japan, 9 - 13 September 2019. Betancor, M.B., MacEwan, A., M. Sprague, M., Montero, D., Norambuena, F., Sayanova, O., Han, L., Napier, J.A., Izquierdo, M. and TOCHER, D.R. (2019) Feasibility of an oil derived from a GM-oilseed crop as a substitute for fish oil in feeds for European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Abstract for Aquaculture Europe 2019 "Our Future Growing from Water", 7- 10 October 2019, Berlin, Germany, European Aquaculture Society, p.xxx-xxx. |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Description | University of Aberdeen |
| Organisation | University of Aberdeen |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The University of Stirling (UoS) are the lead partner in this project. The project PI (Prof Douglas Tocher) and the UoS team contribute expertise in fish nutrition, salmon biology, and and fish biochemistry and physiology especially in relation to lipid and fatty acid metabolism in salmon. As such the UoS has all the facilities (laboratories) and equipment (HPLC. GC, GCMS, LC-MS PCR, qPCR and Seq) required for biochemical and molecular analyses. The UoS team also brings the background IP in the application of the "nutritional programming" concept in fish having successfully carried out preliminary research into this as a principle consortium member in a recently completed EU FP7 project "ARRAINA" project. This initial study resulted in two publications in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. The UoS will also provide the on-campus and external fish culture facilities required to run the salmon nutritional trials from first feeding through the entire freshwater phase (in temperate aquarium, UoS campus, and at the UoS Buckieburn FW Unit), and after seawater transfer at the UoS Marine Environmental Research laboratory (MERL), Machrihanish, Scotland). |
| Collaborator Contribution | The University of Aberdeen (UoA) are key partners in this project having a global reputation in fish immunology and health, recently investing in forming the 'International Centre for Aquaculture Research and Development', which complements the established world-leading 'Scottish Fish Immunology Research Centre'. The UoA Co-I (Prof SAM Martin) and his team contributing expertise in fish gut microbiome and intestinal immune function and responses particularly in relation to Atlantic salmon. As such the UoA team has all the facilities (laboratories and aquaria) and equipment required for analysing microbiomes and carrying out research into biological, physiological (e.g. FACS at the UoA Iain Fraser Cytometry Centre) and molecular aspects of immune function in salmon including 16S rRNA gene analysis and gene expression analysis (NGS/Illumina MiSeq RNAseq platforms). Sequencing in the project will be carried out at UoA Centre for Genome Enabled Biology. |
| Impact | Too early as project only started on 1 January 2019. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | University of Aberdeen |
| Organisation | University of Aberdeen |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The University of Stirling (UoS) are the lead partner in this project. The project PI (Prof Douglas Tocher) and the UoS team contribute expertise in fish nutrition, salmon biology, and and fish biochemistry and physiology especially in relation to lipid and fatty acid metabolism in salmon. As such the UoS has all the facilities (laboratories) and equipment (HPLC. GC, GCMS, LC-MS PCR, qPCR and Seq) required for biochemical and molecular analyses. The UoS team also brings the background IP in the application of the "nutritional programming" concept in fish having successfully carried out preliminary research into this as a principle consortium member in a recently completed EU FP7 project "ARRAINA" project. This initial study resulted in two publications in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. The UoS will also provide the on-campus and external fish culture facilities required to run the salmon nutritional trials from first feeding through the entire freshwater phase (in temperate aquarium, UoS campus, and at the UoS Buckieburn FW Unit), and after seawater transfer at the UoS Marine Environmental Research laboratory (MERL), Machrihanish, Scotland). |
| Collaborator Contribution | The University of Aberdeen (UoA) are key partners in this project having a global reputation in fish immunology and health, recently investing in forming the 'International Centre for Aquaculture Research and Development', which complements the established world-leading 'Scottish Fish Immunology Research Centre'. The UoA Co-I (Prof SAM Martin) and his team contributing expertise in fish gut microbiome and intestinal immune function and responses particularly in relation to Atlantic salmon. As such the UoA team has all the facilities (laboratories and aquaria) and equipment required for analysing microbiomes and carrying out research into biological, physiological (e.g. FACS at the UoA Iain Fraser Cytometry Centre) and molecular aspects of immune function in salmon including 16S rRNA gene analysis and gene expression analysis (NGS/Illumina MiSeq RNAseq platforms). Sequencing in the project will be carried out at UoA Centre for Genome Enabled Biology. |
| Impact | Too early as project only started on 1 January 2019. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Workshop in the University of Temuco (Chile) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Participation in a workshop organized by the Universidad Catolica de Temuco, where nutritional programming strategies were presented as a way to make aquaculture production more sustainable |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |