Table 1_Buffering properties of fish aquafeeds: concepts, determinants and effects on physiology and growth.xlsx

In fish, available information suggests that a decrease in diet ABC can lead to a reduction in total specific dynamic action (SDA), while the effects on growth rates remain ambiguous or transitory. Modifications to diet ABC through supplementation with calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) may negatively impact growth rates due to a concomitant decrease in phosphorus digestibility rather than an increase in HCl secretion. Furthermore, when the costs of HCl secretion were examined using proton-pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole, both SDA values and durations decreased similarly, being this reduction directly correlated with diminished fish growth rates.

Regarding the influence of dietary buffering properties on fish gut microbiota, from the few available studies it can be deduced that the effects are not very significative, but this could be just a consequence of the immaturity of the research on diet ABC and fish microbiota. Further research is warranted to determine whether the manipulation of dietary ABC can lead to enhanced growth rates and improved intestinal health in cultured fish.</p>