June 12, 2006

US researchers to develop stronger fish for offshore aquaculture

US researchers at the University of Missouri are trying to determine whether creatine supplements can enhance stamina and growth in fish to satisfy both aquaculture businesses and anglers.

Professor Rob Hayward said adding creatine supplements to fish feed could benefit fee-fishing businesses by making their fish better fighters.

Open-ocean aquaculture operations would also benefit as stronger fish would be more well-suited to ocean currents.

The researchers are also interested in whether creatine can speed up muscle growth and producer leaner but stronger fish.

Creatine is a nitrogenous organic acids found naturally in vertebrates and helps to supply energy to muscle cells. It has been scientifically proven that creatine supplements increase athletic performance marginally in high-intensity anaerobic repetitive cycling sprints but not in aerobic exercises.