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NOFIMA will evaluate the potential of purple phototrophic bacteria (PPB) as a sustainable feed ingredient for Atlantic salmon. Through comprehensive feeding trials at one of Europe’s leading aquaculture research institutes, the team aims to validate the benefits of PPB on fish performance, health and fillet quality.
NOFIMA is a leading independent food research institute specializing in aquaculture, the food industry, and fisheries, with extensive experience in interdisciplinary research. With 381 employees representing 38 nationalities and a turnover of NOK 736 million across 522 global projects in 2024, NOFIMA stands at the forefront of developing sustainable solutions for one of the world’s most vital food production systems.
The institute conducts research across the entire food value chain, from primary production and harvesting to processing, packaging, commercialization, and marketing. NOFIMA focuses on developing safe, healthy, and high-quality food by optimizing the use of raw materials and improving production methods that minimize waste. Through this work, the institute contributes to building more sustainable and resource-efficient food systems.
NOFIMA leads Work Package 4, which focuses on improving fish quality and health in salmonids using PPB as functional feed ingredients. The research will include feeding trials with Atlantic salmon at NOFIMA’s research facilities in Sunndalsøra and Rainbow trout at Fraunhofer IMTE, Germany.
The work involves the formulation of diets containing PPB and feeding trials at two life stages (juveniles and adults) to evaluate the potential benefits of PPB across different developmental phases.
Under the leadership of Dr. Esmail Lutfi (Research Scientist, Nutrition and Feed Technology Group), NOFIMA will coordinate:
This integrative work will provide critical insights into the use of PPB as a sustainable, functional ingredient for enhancing fish quality and welfare in aquaculture.
NOFIMA brings extensive expertise and state-of-the-art facilities to Purple4Life. The Aquafeed Technology Centre in Bergen offers lab-scale extrusion equipment, advanced ingredient processing technologies, and comprehensive feed analysis capabilities. The feeding trials are conducted in state-of-the-art flow-through and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) at their research station in Sunndalsøra, accommodating all life stages from juveniles to commercial-size fish. The institute also offers a comprehensive analytical platform for evaluating chemical composition, lipid profiles, and fillet quality, including carotenoid quantification (HPLC), fatty acid profiling, texture analysis, and color measurement. In addition, NOFIMA’s advanced transcriptomics and metabolomics infrastructure enables detailed assessment of the physiological and nutritional effects of feed interventions, such as PPB
Dr. Esmail Lutfi Royo manages NOFIMA’s contribution to Purple4Life, bringing expertise in lipid metabolism and the use of alternative ingredients in fish feed. Prof. Bente Ruyter (Senior Researcher) contributes her expertise in aquaculture and fatty acid metabolism, while Dr. Trine Ytrestøyl (Senior Researcher) provides knowledge in commercial production, fillet color, and carotenoid metabolism. Together, the team ensures that Purple4Life delivers evidence-based results, demonstrating the potential of PPB to enhance fish health, quality, and sustainability in European aquaculture.