Latin American & Caribbean Aquaculture 2025

October 7 - 9, 2025

Puerto Varas, Chile

Add To Calendar 08/10/2025 17:50:0008/10/2025 18:10:00America/GogotaLatin American & Caribbean Aquaculture 2025REPLACING INORGANIC SULFATES WITH GLYCINATES IMPROVES GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND MINERAL BIOAVAILABILITY IN NILE TILAPIA Oreochromis niloticusTronadorThe World Aquaculture Societyjohnc@was.orgfalseDD/MM/YYYYanrl65yqlzh3g1q0dme13067

REPLACING INORGANIC SULFATES WITH GLYCINATES IMPROVES GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND MINERAL BIOAVAILABILITY IN NILE TILAPIA Oreochromis niloticus

Matheus Ramalho de Lima1* , Merit Busola Olujimi1, Warlley Mendes Figueiredo1, Maria Mabel de Medeiros Camara1, Ana Cecília Araújo Lopes1, Rômulo De Carvalho Cabral1 , Marcos Aurelio Victor de Assunção1 , Naiane Cristina de Lima Silva1 , Murilo Mora Assis2 , Patrícia, Versuti Arantes Alvarenga2 , Silvia Letícia Fornel Ferreira2, Paulo Ricardo Lima Oliveira2 , Maria Fernanda Menegucci Praes2

 

1Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido , Mossoró, Brasil. mrlmatheus@ufersa.edu.br

2 Biochem do Brasil Nutrição Animal Ltda, assis@biochem.net



This study evaluated the effects of replacing sulfate-based trace minerals (Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe) with glycinates in Nile tilapia diets. Three treatments were tested: a control diet with 100% sulfates, a 50/50 diet (50% sulfates + 50% glycinates), and a 50/25 diet (50% sulfates + 25% glycinates), using a completely randomized design with six replicates of 15 fish each (initial weight: 45 g). All diets met the species’ nutritional requirements and were evaluated over 90 days. Statistical analyses were performed using the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality, followed by ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p<0.05) using R software (v.4.2.1). The study was approved by the Ethics Committee on Animal Use at UFERSA (Protocol 45/2024). Results indicated that the inclusion of glycinates improved mineral bioavailability and growth performance compared to traditional sulfate sources. Replacing inorganic sulfates with organic glycinates significantly improved growth parameters: final body weight (p=0.001), total weight gain (p=0.001), daily weight gain (p=0.001), apparent feed intake (p<0.001), and feed conversion ratio (p =0.008) after 90 days of feeding. The zinc content was lowest in the Control group (29.93 mg/kg) and increased in the 50/25 (32.13 mg/kg) and 50/50 (34.25 mg/kg) groups. Similar trends were observed for manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe). Glycinates enhanced overall performance and tissue mineral retention in tilapia, particularly at higher levels. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that replacing sulfate-based trace minerals with glycinates improved growth performance. PC1 was positively associated with body weight, survival, and feed efficiency, while PC2 reflected antioxidant-related variables. The 50/50 glycinate group exhibited the most pronounced positive shift along PC1, indicating superior performance compared to the Control and 50/25 groups. Combining performance data with tissue mineral information revealed distinct treatment clusters. The 50/50 group aligned positively with both principal components, suggesting enhanced mineral retention and growth. Conversely, the control group demonstrated lower mineral deposition and inferior performance. Partial replacement of inorganic sulfates with glycinates, particularly at the 50/50 level, significantly enhanced growth, feed efficiency, antioxidant status, and mineral bioavailability in tilapia . In conclusion, partial substitution of inorganic mineral sources with glycinates significantly improves mineral bioavailability and growth performance in Nile tilapia. These results support the strategic use of organic trace minerals in aquafeed formulations to optimize productivity and nutrient utilization.