Feedactiv Project

📢 Fresh research from the FEEDACTIV project!
Our team just published a comprehensive review in the field of biopolymeric delivery systems, examining how micro and nanoscale colloidal carriers can enable controlled release of active compounds in the pharmaceutical sector.
From natural biopolymers like proteins and polysaccharides to engineered synthetic polymers such as poly(lactic acid), the review maps out how these materials can be tailored to achieve sustained, targeted release — improving drug efficacy while minimising side effects. Key release mechanisms including diffusion, erosion, and swelling are critically compared for applications ranging from cancer therapy to nutraceutical delivery.
While the potential is enormous, the study also highlights the road ahead: scalability and in vivo validation remain crucial steps to move these innovations from the lab to the market.
🔗 Read the full review here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2026.134626

Redirecting

🌿 New FEEDACTIV publication alert!
Our latest study, published in Food Science & Nutrition, explores how plant-derived essential oils — from garlic, thyme, conehead thyme, rosemary, and eucalyptus — can serve as sustainable alternatives to conventional antibiotics in aquaculture.
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern in fish farming, and nature may hold the answer. Our team profiled the chemical composition and bioactivity of five essential oils (EOs), revealing strong antimicrobial performance — in some cases matching or even outperforming conventional antibiotics like gentamicin — alongside notable antioxidant and antifungal properties.
But essential oils are volatile and chemically unstable, making them difficult to incorporate into fish feed. To overcome this, we developed spray-dried microcapsules using maltodextrin and starch carriers, achieving encapsulation efficiencies of up to 71% while preserving the oils' bioactivity and improving handling stability.
These findings bring us one step closer to effective, natural feed additives for healthier and more sustainable aquaculture practices.
🔗 Read the full paper here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.71739

Phytobiotic Essential Oils as Antibiotic Alternatives in Aquaculture: Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties of Garlic, Thyme, Thyme Conehead, Rosemary, and Eucalyptus Microencapsulation of garlic, thyme, rosemary, and eucalyptus essential oils using maltodextrin and starch matrices enhances their stability, bioactivity, and controlled release, supporting their use...

🐟 Aquaculture now supplies over half of the world's seafood — but its growth depends on rethinking what goes into the feed.
A recent article by S2G Investments explores how the aquaculture industry is moving beyond conventional fishmeal and fish oil toward next-generation feed solutions. From algae-based proteins to bioactive compounds that strengthen fish immunity, the message is clear: functional feeds are no longer a "nice-to-have" — they're essential for sustainable growth.
This is exactly the challenge that FEEDACTIV is tackling. Our project focuses on developing functional fish feed enriched with bioactive compounds of marine and herbal origins, designed to boost fish health and resilience without relying on antibiotics or synthetic additives.
As the global demand for seafood continues to rise, projects like FEEDACTIV are helping shape the science behind a more sustainable aquaculture future.
🔗 Read the full article here: https://www.s2ginvestments.com/insights/aquaculture-feed-innovation-reimagined-future

Aquaculture Feed Innovation and a Reimagined Future Larsen Mettler explains how aquaculture’s ability to scale largely depends on building a more diverse and resilient feed system.

🐟 Can microalgae replace fishmeal in aquaculture? New research says yes.
A recent study from UC Santa Cruz found that marine microalgae (Nannochloropsis sp.) can fully replace fishmeal in rainbow trout feed — without compromising growth, nutritional value, or cost-effectiveness. This is a major step toward uncoupling fish farming from wild fish stocks, one of aquaculture's biggest sustainability challenges.
This is exactly the kind of innovation at the heart of what we do at FEEDACTIV. Our project is developing functional fish feed supplements based on natural bioactive compounds from marine and plant sources — aiming to boost immunity, improve fish quality, and create a more sustainable aquaculture value chain.
The future of fish farming lies in smarter, greener feed. And the science is catching up fast.
🔗 Read more: https://news.ucsc.edu/2025/03/microalgae-sustainable-trout-feed/

www.cetjournal.it

🎉 This year, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) celebrates 30 years of funding excellent research and empowering researchers across Europe!
We are proud that FEEDACTIV is part of this remarkable 30-year journey — contributing to the legacy of curiosity-driven research that changes the world. 🌍
Here's to three decades of scientific excellence and collaboration. Here's to the next ones! 🔬🐟🇪🇺
🎥 Watch the anniversary video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/video/I-283204

Audiovisual Service