Supplementation of vitamin D3 in feed increases vitamin D content in rainbow trout fillets

BioMar More Than Doubles Vitamin D Levels in Salmon Diets, Enhancing Fish Health and Consumer Nutritional Value

A BioMar study confirms that enhanced vitamin D3 supplementation in salmonid feed leads to more nutritious fillets without compromising fish growth. This innovation leverages new EU regulatory limits, offering benefits for both aquaculture and public health.

Aarhus C - BioMar has significantly increased vitamin D3 levels across all its salmon diets, a strategic move based on new research that promises to improve fish health and boost the nutritional value of farmed salmon for consumers.

This initiative comes after the European Union raised the maximum permitted vitamin D3 levels in aquafeed for salmonids from 2,500 to 60,000 IU/kg in 2019. BioMar capitalized on this regulatory change to explore the impact of increased vitamin D3 supplementation in salmonid diets.

Figure 1. Regression analyses of dietary vitamin D3 (IU/kg) levels and feed intake (IU/Kg fish) (a); fillet content of vitamin D3 (IU/Kg fish) (b); whole body content of vitamin D3 (IU/Kg fish) (c). Dots represent the mean of the experimental treatments (n=2 in D1 and n=1 in the rest). Click on the image to enlarge it

Research Confirms Benefits Without Production Compromise

BioMar's R&D team in Denmark conducted a rigorous study between July and September 2022. Over a 61-day feeding period, ten dietary treatments with increasing levels of synthetic vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), ranging from 8,100 to 77,400 IU/kg feed, were tested using rainbow trout reared in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).

Figure 2. Regression analyses of dietary vitamin D3 (IU/kg) levels and MINOLTA parameters (A.U.) measured in the fillets from fish fed the experimental diets for 61 days. Dots represent the mean of the experimental treatments (n=2 in D1 and n=1 in the rest).Click on the image to enlarge it

The results of this research were conclusive: an increase in dietary vitamin D3 levels led to a proportional increase in fillet vitamin D3 content, without negatively affecting fish performance, feed intake, or feed conversion ratio.

"Vitamin D is crucial for fish health, supporting bone development, calcium regulation, and immune function," stated Pedro Gómez Requeni, Senior R&D Scientist at BioMar. "Our research confirms that feeds with optimized vitamin D3 levels enriched fillet vitamin D content while maintaining optimal fish performance." The study also observed a potential linear increase in fillet pigmentation (redness), though this effect was not statistically significant.

Added Value for Producers and Consumers

BioMar's decision to implement these enhanced vitamin D3 levels in its diets means that farmers will automatically receive feeds that promote optimal fish performance while producing fillets with enhanced nutritional value. This supports market differentiation and responds to growing consumer preferences for nutrient-rich foods.

"Consumers are becoming more aware of the importance of vitamin D for their health," commented Simon Wadsworth, R&D Director at BioMar. "By formulating feeds that naturally enrich fish fillets, we are helping farmers offer products with added value and supporting public health goals."

The enhanced vitamin D3 content in salmon fillets will contribute to increased consumer dietary intake, helping to support widespread vitamin D insufficiency in many populations.

"This is a practical formulation improvement with wide-reaching impact," Simon Wadsworth concluded. "It supports healthier fish, helps farmers differentiate their products, and offers consumers an improved nutritional profile."

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