Why did you choose the service/institution you chose?

The Department of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Naples Federico II (UNINA) is a world-renowned centre of agriculture research. The services of multielement analysis and fatty acid analysis were aligned with my research objectives of testing and validating my in-vitro method of shrimp diet valorisation.

I first learned about AQUASERV, and the services offered by UNINA through my friend Nidhi Dalal who was my lodger during her research visit to the University of Glasgow where I work as a research technician. I chose in-person access in order to address technical challenges in person, learn from leading experts in the field of agricultural science, and fully engage with the research environment at UNINA. The opportunity to immerse myself in Italian scientific, gastronomic and cultural life was a welcome benefit.

How did this access experience support your research?

The AQUASERV access enabled a major expansion of the analytical scope of ShrimpSim, an in-vitro model of the shrimp’s gastrointestinal tract. ShrimpSim is a bioreactor-based biochemical assay that uses enzymes from farmed white-leg shrimp “Litopenaeus vannamei” to assess the digestibility and absorption of nutrients in aquaculture feeds.

Previously, ShrimpSim was validated primarily to predict the digestibility of proteins and amino acids. Through access to multielement analysis and fatty acid profiling at UNINA, I was able to demonstrate that ShrimpSim can be used to simulate the digestion of fats, oils, fatty acids and minerals in the shrimp’s digestive processes. This represents a significant advance as it is valuable for informing the deployment of ShrimpSim as a robust alternative to live shrimp feeding trials for evaluating aquaculture feeds.

How does your project benefit society, industry, or policy?

Shrimp farming is a major contributor to global seafood supply, including for European consumers, and the composition of animal feed offered to the shrimp is a major determinant of the environmental sustainability and economic viability of the industry.

The ingredients used in pelleted aquaculture feeds vary widely in their nutritional content, digestibility and bioavailability. Feeds with low digestibility pose significant risks; they can limit shrimp growth, harm animal health, waste valuable resources and contribute to marine pollution through eutrophication. Feeding trials are the traditional method for assessing the digestibility of aquaculture animal feeds in which the faeces are analysed for undigested nutrients.

However, due to their biology and behaviour, shrimp feeding trials are especially slow, costly and inefficient. Our project aims to provide a rapid screening tool that can reduce and refine animal testing while accelerating the development and commercialisation of novel feeds. We collaborated with Pontus Research Limited, who produced the feeds using exclusively sustainable British ingredients as part of their “InSuRaFeed” project.

The results strengthen evidence-based feed development, support more resilient and sustainable food supply chains and aid the viability of shrimp farming in Europe, which is an important goal given Europe’s current dependence on imports from Central America and Asia.

How did this experience mark your scientific career?

At UNINA’s department of agriculture, I received hands-on training in ICP-OES and GC-FID in the research groups of Professors Paula Adamo and Raffaele Romano. Gaining experience with these advanced analytical techniques expanded my scientific skill set and was highly valuable to my professional development as a researcher.

The day-to-day work laboratory work let me participate in a work culture distinct from what I normally experience in Scotland which as very enriching. In addition, the application process provided experience akin to applying for a small grant which strengthened my confidence in applying for larger funding opportunities in the future.  

Please share some words of encouragement to future users.

My experience staying in Portici and working at the UNINA laboratories, located in the beautiful Royal Palace and surrounded by agricultural gardens, will stay with me forever. I would highly recommend applying for AQUASERV at UNINA Naples. All the staff, students and professors I interacted with were exceptionally welcoming, knowledgeable and supportive.

AQUASERV offers a great variety of high-quality services in facilities all over Europe and beyond with in-person or remote access available. I would certainly recommend taking the time to explore available opportunities as the data generated can fill critical gaps in your research, and the overall experience is very special.

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