The Importance and Utilization of Palm Oil as a Fish Oil Replacement in Aquaculture

Abstract

The oil palm tree is a centuries-old tropical plant native to West Africa. Palm oil has been used as a food and medicine for centuries. Crude palm oil (CPO) is extracted from the oil palm tree’s fruit (Elaeis guineensis). Palmitic acid, carotene, and vitamin E are abundant in the oil. This chapter reviewed the progress made in using palm oil as an alternative lipid source in aquafeeds. This section discusses the most recent significant materials discovered in the literature on palm oil processing, refining, and distribution compared to other vegetable oils. Furthermore, palm oil in aquafeeds may or may not compromise fish growth and feed utilization composition. Finally, the effect of replacing fish oil with palm oil on immune and antioxidant capacity was discussed. This could be an additional good source of aquafeed oil for African aquaculture. More research in the African setting, however, is required to optimize this ingredient in different culture species.