In a long-term Atlantic salmon trial, Smallfood whole-cell biomass outperformed a high fishmeal and fish oil control on growth, condition and fecal score.
Atlantic salmon fed Smallfood whole-cell biomass, vs. a high fishmeal and fish oil control.
Higher specific growth rate (SGR) and condition factor (CF) than the fishmeal and fish oil control.
Up to 25% more attractive to fish than anchovy fishmeal.
Firmer, more consistent feces, a marker of gut health and water quality.
Final fillet EPA and DHA matched the fishmeal and fish oil control, even though the Smallfood diet contained 10% less EPA + DHA. More of the omega-3 in the feed ends up in the fish.
Aurantiochytrium sp. contains prebiotic properties.
No significant difference in fillet colour, texture, protein (71–75%) or essential amino acids compared with the control diet.
Hydroxyproline, abundant in fishmeal but missing from plant proteins, is linked to firmer muscle and better texture in low-fishmeal diets.
No mutagenicity in Ames testing of whole biomass or protein concentrate.
No homology with known allergens under the FAO/WHO in-silico method.
All algal and cyanobacterial toxins below ELISA and LC-MS/MS detection limits.
No adverse effects at more than 8 g/kg body weight per day.
6.9 kg CO₂e per kg of protein, vs. 49.7 kg for farmed fish.
25 L per kg of protein, vs. 1,315 L for farmed fish.
0.6 m² per kg of protein, vs. 3.4 m² for farmed fish.
Smallfood whole-cell, 550 kL scale, Illinois (LCA, Sept 2025). Comparisons: Poore & Nemecek, 2018.
Our strain of Aurantiochytrium sp. was discovered through an extensive bioprospecting program. We screened more than 20,000 unique microbes, including bacteria, yeast and microalgae, to find the one that delivers the highest-value nutrition.
