A comprehensive comparison of single- and composite-seaweed feeds on growth performance, lipid metabolism, and immune function of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea).
- 1School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
- 2Ningbo Academy of Oceanology and Fisheries, Ningbo, China.
Abstract
Introduction
The large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) is an economically important fish species in China, yet its quality and value are compromised by excessive fat deposition induced by high-fat diets under high-density aquaculture. Our previous study noted the lipid-regulating potential of individual seaweed components like fucoidan and kelp (Saccharina japonica) powder, the synergistic effects of composite seaweed feeds remain underexplored.Methods
This study investigated the effects of 3% Neoporphyra haitanensis compared with its control feed (CM1), and two composite seaweed feeds (FNKM1: 1% kelp + 1% N. haitanensis + 0.1% fucoidan; FNKM2: 2% kelp + 2% N. haitanensis + 0.2% fucoidan) compared with the control feed (CM2) over an 8-week feeding trial.Results and discussion
The results showed that single N. haitanensis supplementation, despite limited growth promotion, improved muscle lipid composition by reducing triglycerides (TG) and LDL-C contents while increasing beneficial phospholipids. Notably, the composite seaweed feeds, particularly FNKM2, showed more pronounced effects on growth and lipid-related parameters, with WGR reaching 1.66-fold, accompanied by a 1.33-fold increase in HDL-C and a 24.20% decrease in crude lipid content. In addition, the composite seaweed diets (FNKM1 and FNKM2) significantly downregulated most of the differentially abundant lipids in muscle. Among these, TG and phospholipids were significantly reduced in the FNKM1 group. These changes were accompanied by the upregulation of fatty acid oxidation genes (cpt1, ppara, pgc-1a) and the TG hydrolysis-related gene (lpl). Both feeds also enhanced immune-antioxidant capacity (∑IoI >1): FNKM1 significantly increased ACP, ALP, lysozyme, GSH-Px, and CAT activities, whereas FNKM2 increased ACP, ALP, and CAT activities. Both groups modulated hepatic cytokine expression, including il-4, il-1b, and tnf-a. Overall, the composite seaweed feeds contributed to improved growth, optimized lipid metabolism, and enhanced immune function in large yellow croaker, offering a scientific basis for functional feed development in intensive aquaculture.
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BibTeX
@article{dang2026comprehensive,
title = {{A comprehensive comparison of single- and composite-seaweed feeds on growth performance, lipid metabolism, and immune function of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea).}},
author = {Yueming Dang and Liyue Chai and Ruochen Xia and Sifeng Zhu and Guoyi Li and Rui Yang and Jianping Wang and Juanjuan Chen and Qiqin Liu},
journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fcimb.2026.1947273},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42903189},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - A comprehensive comparison of single- and composite-seaweed feeds on growth performance, lipid metabolism, and immune function of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea).
AU - Yueming Dang
AU - Liyue Chai
AU - Ruochen Xia
AU - Sifeng Zhu
AU - Guoyi Li
AU - Rui Yang
AU - Jianping Wang
AU - Juanjuan Chen
AU - Qiqin Liu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/06
JO - Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology
DO - 10.3389/fcimb.2026.1947273
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42903189
AB - Introduction The large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) is an economically important fish species in China, yet its quality and value are compromised by excessive fat deposition induced by high-fat diets under high-density aquaculture. Our previous study noted the lipid-regulating potential of individual seaweed components like fucoidan and kelp (Saccharina japonica) powder, the synergistic effects of composite seaweed feeds remain underexplored.Methods This study investigated the effects of 3% Neoporphyra haitanensis compared with its control feed (CM1), and two composite seaweed feeds (FNKM1: 1% kelp + 1% N. haitanensis + 0.1% fucoidan; FNKM2: 2% kelp + 2% N. haitanensis + 0.2% fucoidan) compared with the control feed (CM2) over an 8-week feeding trial.Results and discussion The results showed that single N. haitanensis supplementation, despite limited growth promotion, improved muscle lipid composition by reducing triglycerides (TG) and LDL-C contents while increasing beneficial phospholipids. Notably, the composite seaweed feeds, particularly FNKM2, showed more pronounced effects on growth and lipid-related parameters, with WGR reaching 1.66-fold, accompanied by a 1.33-fold increase in HDL-C and a 24.20% decrease in crude lipid content. In addition, the composite seaweed diets (FNKM1 and FNKM2) significantly downregulated most of the differentially abundant lipids in muscle. Among these, TG and phospholipids were significantly reduced in the FNKM1 group. These changes were accompanied by the upregulation of fatty acid oxidation genes (cpt1, ppara, pgc-1a) and the TG hydrolysis-related gene (lpl). Both feeds also enhanced immune-antioxidant capacity (∑IoI >1): FNKM1 significantly increased ACP, ALP, lysozyme, GSH-Px, and CAT activities, whereas FNKM2 increased ACP, ALP, and CAT activities. Both groups modulated hepatic cytokine expression, including il-4, il-1b, and tnf-a. Overall, the composite seaweed feeds contributed to improved growth, optimized lipid metabolism, and enhanced immune function in large yellow croaker, offering a scientific basis for functional feed development in intensive aquaculture.
SN - 2235-2988
ER -