1. Chemical vs. Biochemical Elements
- Chemical Elements: There are 118 elements in the periodic table; 94 occur naturally, with 24 being synthetic.
-
Biochemical Elements: About 27 are essential for life, spanning:
- Macronutrients (C, H, O, N, P, S)
- Essential Minerals (Ca, K, Na, Mg, Cl, Fe, P)
-
Trace Elements (Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo, Se, I, Co, Cr, etc.)
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2. Essential Elements in Fish Nutrition
Aquafeed must deliver not only protein and energy, but also biologically available essential elements to support growth, immunity, and metabolic function.
A recent systematic review confirms that well-balanced macro- and micro-mineral content is foundational to “better fish growth performance, high survival rates, and sustainable aquaculture production” repository.seafdec.org+3mdpi.com+3link.springer.com+3researchgate.net+1zinpro.com+1.
3. How VARS Products Deliver Essential Elements
A. Wheat Gluten – Binder & Macronutrient Carrier
- Source: Vital Wheat Gluten (VWG) is rich in digestible proteins and amino acids, and acts as an effective pellet binder—enhancing pellet durability and delivery of nutrients including macronutrients and minerals tandfonline.com+10aquaticbiosystems.biomedcentral.com+10repository.seafdec.org+10.
- Benefit: Stable pellets preserve integrity in water and ensure nutrients reach the fish effectively.
B. Potato Protein Concentrate (PPC) – CHNOPS & EAA
- Role: PPC provides a high‑digestibility, plant-based protein with essential amino acids (C, H, N, O, P, S) and supports a foundation for mineral inclusion. Combining PPC and VWG helps create nutrient-balanced feeds.
C. Emerald Chlorella Powder – Trace and Micro‑Minerals
- Function: Microalgae like Chlorella are rich sources of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and trace elements such as Zn, Fe, Se, Cr .
- Benefit: Including Chlorella in feed contributes to the biochemical element profile, improving bioavailability and supporting enzyme systems, bone development, and immunity.
D. Revive Artemia Cyst – Natural Mineral Complex
- Feature: Artemia cysts contain a broad spectrum of minerals and trace nutrients, supporting osmoregulation, neurological function, and antioxidant defense—especially in the early stages of fish development.
E. Nano‑Selenium & Functional Feed Additives
- Example: European seabass studies show that Na‑selenite or nano‑Se supplementation can boost immune gene expression (e.g., IL‑2, IL‑6) sciencedirect.com+4repository.seafdec.org+4ams.usda.gov+4nature.com.
- Application: A micro-mineral premix or supplementation (like Se, Zn, Cu, Mn) enhances antioxidant capacity and disease resilience.
4. Integration in Feed Formulation
To ensure optimal biochemical nutrition, consider this formulation blueprint:
| Feed Component | Delivers Elements |
|---|---|
| Wheat Gluten | C, H, O, N, P, S; pellet binder stabilizes mineral delivery |
| PPC | Core macronutrient source for protein & EAAs |
| Emerald Chlorella | Macrominerals + Zn, Fe, Se, Cr |
| Revive Artemia | Bioavailable trace elements in early-stage feeds |
| Trace Mineral Premix | Tailored Zn, Cu, Mn, Se, I levels to meet species needs |
This strategy aligns directly with global best practices: feed must provide both macronutrients and essential minerals in bioavailable forms, while minimizing nutrient leaching ams.usda.gov.
5. Why This Matters for VARS Clients
By combining our protein sources (PPC, wheat gluten, live feed) with trace mineral supplementation and functional additives:
- Growth & Survival: Improved growth rates, feed conversion, and survival
- Health & Immunity: Enhanced antioxidant defenses and immune responses
- Sustainability: Efficient use of plant-based proteins and nutrient cycling
- Economic Efficiency: Reduced reliance on fishmeal and marine minerals