Aquaculture America 2026

February 16 - 19, 2026

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Add To Calendar 19/02/2026 16:00:0019/02/2026 16:20:00America/Los_AngelesAquaculture America 2026EFFECTS OF MICROPLASTIC AND NANOPARTICLES CONTAMINATED FISH FEED ON Cyprinus carpio GROWTH AND ORAL/INTESTINAL MICROBIOMEConcorde BThe World Aquaculture Societyjohnc@was.orgfalseDD/MM/YYYYanrl65yqlzh3g1q0dme13067

EFFECTS OF MICROPLASTIC AND NANOPARTICLES CONTAMINATED FISH FEED ON Cyprinus carpio GROWTH AND ORAL/INTESTINAL MICROBIOME

Mian Adnan Kakakhel1,2

1 Hubei International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Fish Passage, Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, Hubei, China.

2 College of Hydraulic & Environmental Engineering, Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, Hubei, China

 



Microplastic (MP) and nanoparticle (NP) contamination in fish feed threatens aquacultural productivity and food security. In this study we assessed the effects of dietary exposure to MP, NP, and their combination (MNP) on Cyprinus carpio growth and oral/intestinal bacterial composition. Contaminated feed significantly reduced weight gain and feed efficiency (p < 0.05), with MNP causing the most severe impacts on fish weight gain. Moreover, 16s rRNA sequencing revealed a significant shift in bacterial taxa, marked by pathogenic Aeromonas and Vibrio enrichment and commensal reduction, particularly in the intestines (p < 0.001). Beta diversity confirmed taxonomic shifts (PERMANOVA: R² = 0.248, p = 0.001), with intestinal bacteria more sensitive than oral bacteria. Aeromonas abundance correlated strongly with growth impairment (Mantel p < 0.05; R² > 0.5), indicating that it is a key growth-limiting pathogen and is elevated by contaminated feed. These findings highlight the dual risk of MNP-contaminated feed that disrupts the microbiome and decreases growth performance. Strategies to mitigate these effects are urgently needed to secure aquaculture feed.