Yeast produced from lignocellulosic biomass has the potential to serve as a high-quality protein source with health benefits, especially during critical stages of the Atlantic salmon life cycle, such as during seawater transfer.

A group of Norwegian and Chilean scientists evaluated the effects of adding 25% Candida utilis yeast to salmon feed on growth performance and overall health during and after seawater transfer. Four diets were used: a control diet in freshwater and seawater (Control); 2) control diet in freshwater and a yeast-based diet in seawater (Control/Yeast); 3) yeast-based diet in freshwater and seawater (Yeast); 4) yeast-based diet in freshwater and a control diet in seawater (Yeast/Control).

Results showed that fish fed the yeast diet throughout the freshwater and seawater period achieved higher feed intake and higher growth rate than fish fed the control diet. Morphometric and immunochemical analyses of the distal intestine revealed decreased length and number of CD3 labeled cells in the simple folds of fish fed control diet, while no changes were observed in fish fed the yeast diet.

These findings indicate that Candida utilis yeast is a promising alternative protein source with functional properties in diets for smolts of Atlantic salmon before and after seawater transfer.

Read the study here.