October 1, 2024

 

European Fish-AI project develops artificial intestine to revolutionise aquafeed trials

The European Fish-AI project has been launched with the goal of translating scientific research into practical solutions for the aquaculture industry, focusing on developing an artificial intestine to revolutionise aquafeed trials and support sustainable fish farming, AquaFeed reported.

 

Led by Professor Fulvio Gandolfi of the University of Milan, Italy, the project applies scientific expertise in stem cells and tissue culture to create an in vitro platform for identifying new and sustainable ingredients for modern aquaculture.

 

The University of Milan is collaborating with several institutions and companies, including the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ghent University, Israel Oceanographic & Limnological Research, and commercial partners Skretting and Biofabics. These organisations have secured a grant for the project titled "Developing an Artificial Intestine for the Sustainable Farming of Healthy Fish" (FISH-AI).

 

The Fish-AI platform is composed of three main components: fish intestinal cell lines, a bicameral system, and aquafeed pellets. Gandolfi explained that the cell lines are derived from the proximal and distal gut of rainbow trout. They are cultured in a dual-chamber device with an apical compartment that simulates the intestinal lumen and a basolateral chamber that replicates the vascular system.

 

Aquafeed pellets are processed into a slurry that resembles chyme, the semi-digested food that reaches the intestinal wall. This slurry is introduced into the apical chamber to simulate feed arrival in the intestine, enabling the team to analyse its effects on the cells.

 

Currently, the platform is the only one in aquaculture capable of conducting a wide range of analyses, including nutrient absorption, impacts on intestinal health, and in vitro digestibility. A key benefit of the platform is its ability to rank the biological value of various diets without relying on traditional feed trials with live animals. This method saves both time and costs, providing crucial information before moving on to nutritional trials.

 

Gandolfi pointed out some limitations. The platform requires highly specialised personnel for assembly and operation, and it can only predict effects on the gut, not on other aspects of fish physiology.

 

So far, the platform has been used to evaluate the functional effects of different feeds, including optimal and challenging diets, as well as those where fish-derived proteins have been replaced with alternative sources like single-cell proteins. Specific components, such as astaxanthin and saponins, have also been tested for their impact on intestinal cells.

 

The platform can also assess cell recovery after exposure to harmful components, helping to identify molecules or formulations that mitigate the effects of anti-nutritional factors.

 

Looking ahead, Gandolfi stated that the team plans to test new formulations based on circular economy principles and expand analytical capabilities to meet client demands. Although the platform was initially developed for rainbow trout, the technology could be adapted for other commercially important fish species, with species-specific enzymes enhancing physiological relevance.

 

Beyond aquaculture, the Fish-AI platform holds potential for human health research. Gandolfi noted that it could be used to study how environmental contaminants like microplastics penetrate the food chain and accumulate in fish intended for human consumption. This research could lead to strategies that prevent bioaccumulation, making food safer for consumers.

 

The Fish-AI project is set to conclude by the end of 2024. The results will be presented at a workshop in Norway on November 26, 2024. Experts from industry and academia will gather to discuss the advantages and challenges of in vitro technologies in animal nutrition.

 

-      AquaFeed