SalmoPro: Unlocking mechanisms of alternative protein utilization in salmon for improved health and efficiency

laks svømmer i merd — **Photo:** Shutterstock/reinatsu27

SalmoPro integrates multi-omic data with novel computational approaches to advance our understanding of functional interactions along the feed-microbiota-host axis in response to alternative proteins in salmon feeds. The project emphasizes identifying key microbes, mechanisms, and enzymatic cocktails that enhance the release of nutrients and beneficial metabolites, thereby improving the health and production efficiency of Atlantic salmon.

Timeframe

01 Jan 2026 - 31 May 2029

Research GroupThe Protein Engineering and Proteomics Group (PEP)

Funding

The Research Council of Norway

Faculty

Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science

Shortcuts

Prosjektbanken
PEP-gruppen

Om prosjektet

Bakgrunn
As the human population surges towards 10 billion, efficient production of aquaculture commodities such as salmon are required to ensure long-term food security. The rising demand for aquafeeds, coupled with the scarcity of fish meal, has driven the search for alternative protein (AP) sources. Differential health impacts of APs derived from plants, insects, yeasts and fish byproducts have been reported, although details on individual molecules and mechanisms triggering detrimental effects on the fish remain to be elucidated. SalmoPro will go beyond the state-of-the art in the understanding of how individual protein and carbohydrate components in APs determine digestive, immunological and microbial responses that impact salmon health and performance.
Mål
SalmoPro aims at establishing new knowledge on the fate of APs from different sources in the salmon gut and translate this knowledge into the development of novel solutions to overcome challenges in the aquaculture industry.
Subgoals are:
PO1: Determine the fate of APs from different sources in the salmon gut, specifically how component proteins within these sources interact with the host through gut compartment-specific metabolic processes.
PO2: Uncover the mechanisms of the gut microbiota that support AP utilization, either by utilizing proteins and peptides that escape host digestion and/or by degrading the carbohydrate fractions entrapping them, thus allowing higher release of proteins, peptides and host-absorbable amino acids from the feeds.
PO3: Develop microbiota-based strategies and enzyme cocktails to boost AP digestibility and nutrient release, while promoting beneficial salmon-microbiota interactions.