Advancing Sustainable Aquaculture: Next-Gen Aquafeeds and Functional Additives

As global aquaculture expands to meet rising seafood demand, sustainable feed development has become a critical priority. Conventional feed ingredients, such as fishmeal, soybean meal and fish oil, face ecological and economic challenges, prompting a shift toward resource-efficient and alternative ingredients. At the same time, functional feeds, enhanced with bioactive compounds, enzymes, or immunostimulants offer promising pathways to enhance fish health, performance, welfare and resilience to intensive and changing rearing conditions. This Research Topic aims to explore innovations in aquafeed formulation, including sustainable ingredients, functional additives, and their physiological and molecular impacts on farmed species. We welcome contributions that address fish growth, immunity, welfare, digestive function, and nutrigenomic responses to novel and functional diets based on circularity and sustainability issues. Experimental studies, reviews, and advances in feed technology that support a more sustainable and health-oriented aquaculture industry are especially encouraged.The sustainability and efficiency of aquaculture are increasingly constrained by the dependence on conventional feed ingredients such as fishmeal, soybean meal and fish oil, which are limited, costly, and environmentally burdensome (overfishing, unsustainable resource use, high carbon or ecological footprints). In parallel, the growing need to enhance fish health, welfare, and resilience under intensive farming conditions requires nutritional strategies that go beyond basic growth performance and feed conversion efficiency. To address these challenges, innovative aquafeeds incorporating resource-efficient ingredients, including upcycled by-products, alternative proteins, and circular economy resources are gaining attention. Moreover, functional feeds enriched with bioactive compounds, antioxidants, enzymes, and immunostimulants can modulate physiological responses, improve disease resistance, and optimize feed efficiency. However, the full impact of these novel formulations on fish physiology, immunity, welfare, and gene expression remains underexplored. This Research Topic seeks to gather multidisciplinary research that evaluates the effects of advanced aquafeeds on marine aquaculture species. We aim to identify effective feed strategies that promote performance while ensuring health and sustainability. Contributions are encouraged on feed innovation, functional additives, immune and stress responses, digestive physiology, and nutrigenomic effects, ultimately supporting the development of next-generation aquafeeds for a resilient and eco-responsible aquaculture sector.This Research Topic focuses on promoting the share of knowledge on advanced sustainable and functional aquafeeds for aquaculture species. We invite original research, reviews, and perspectives that explore the development, evaluation, and application of resource-efficient feed ingredients and functional additives. Key themes include alternative and circular feed sources, bioactive compounds (e.g., antioxidants, enzymes, immunostimulants), and their effects on fish growth, health, immunity, welfare, and physiological responses. Contributions addressing molecular mechanisms, such as nutrigenomics and gene expression influenced by diet, are particularly encouraged, as well as holistic approaches for exploring the mode of action of tested diets and/or ingredients. Studies on digestive physiology, feed efficiency, and strategies to enhance disease resistance through nutrition are also within scope. Manuscripts may include laboratory experiments, field trials, meta-analyses, and feed formulation innovations. Through this collection, we aim to foster multidisciplinary approaches that support sustainable, health-promoting, and efficient aquaculture nutrition. Topic editors: Mohamed Salah AZAZA, Enric Gisbert Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/73105/advancing-sustainable-aquaculture-next-gen-aquafeeds-and-functional-additives