Omega-3 byproduct oil could fully replace fish oil in European seabass feeds, study finds
A peer-reviewed study by researchers from the University of Porto, CIIMAR, and the University of Florence, in collaboration with EPAX®, found that fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) oil — a byproduct of omega-3 supplement production — can completely replace fish oil in juvenile European seabass diets without impairing growth, feed utilization, or nutrient digestibility. However, the substitution significantly reduced muscle DHA levels, pointing to a potential nutritional quality trade-off that may require mitigation.