Ateneo de Manila Researchers Discover Chewing Gum Ingredients Help Tilapia Survive Cold Climates

If you’ve ever popped a piece of chewing gum into your mouth, you probably didn’t think twice about its ingredients. But what if I told you that the same components in your gum are helping fish survive in cold climates? Surprising, right? Well, it turns out that two common ingredients found in chewing gum—Arabic gum and lecithin—are now being used to help tilapia, specifically Nile tilapia, thrive in cooler environments.

This discovery is changing how we think about tilapia farming, especially in countries that aren’t naturally warm. And guess what? Researchers from the Philippines’ Ateneo de Manila University have played a big role in uncovering this secret.

What’s the Deal with Nile Tilapia?

Nile tilapia, or Oreochromis niloticus, is a big deal in the world of aquaculture. Native to Africa, these fish have been farmed for food since ancient times, making them a key source of protein in many tropical countries, including the Philippines. Why? They reproduce quickly and grow fast.

But here’s the catch: tilapia are sensitive to temperature. They’re basically warm-water fish, needing temperatures between 26°C to 30°C to stay happy and healthy. If the water gets too cold, they’re in trouble. This has made tilapia farming tricky in colder regions, as the fish can struggle and even die when exposed to low temperatures.

That’s where this new research comes in.

Chewing Gum Ingredients to the Rescue

Here’s where things get cool (pun intended). An international team of researchers from Egypt and the Philippines, including experts from Ateneo de Manila University, wanted to see if they could help tilapia handle the cold better. So, they turned to an unlikely source—chewing gum ingredients.

Researchers examine blue vats holding Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings, fed different amounts of Arabic gum and lecithin, to assess the impact on their survival in colder climates. Photo Credit: Benha University / National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Egypt.

Specifically, they used Arabic gum and lecithin, both of which are common additives in food products. You’ve probably consumed them yourself without even realizing it. Arabic gum is a natural gum made from the sap of the Acacia senegal tree, while lecithin is an emulsifier that comes from sources like eggs, soybeans, and sunflower seeds.

The researchers added these two ingredients into the fish food, giving Nile tilapia fingerlings (baby fish) a special diet packed with 4 grams of Arabic gum and 10 grams of lecithin per kilogram of fish food. They kept this up for three months and closely monitored the fish to see what would happen.

The Amazing Results

So, did it work? Absolutely. The study showed that the Nile tilapia on this unique diet not only grew healthier but were also better equipped to survive in colder waters.

How? Well, the diet enhanced the fish’s levels of minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants—all important factors in keeping them healthy during winter. But that’s not all. The researchers also discovered that this diet activated certain genes in the fish, which helped them cope with lower temperatures. It’s kind of like giving the fish a winter coat, but from the inside out!

Dr. Janice Alano Ragaza, from the Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Biology, explained the significance of this finding: “By incorporating Arabic gum and lecithin into the diet of Nile tilapia, we’ve seen clear improvements in their survivability during colder seasons. This opens the door to tilapia farming in regions where the climate isn’t typically suitable for these fish.”

A Global Collaboration for a Better Future

This groundbreaking study was the result of a collaboration between researchers from Benha University and the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in Egypt, alongside experts from Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines. Published in Aquaculture Reports Vol. 38, this research is poised to have a massive impact on how tilapia are farmed globally.

And it’s not just about cold climates. The health benefits observed in the fish suggest that this diet could be beneficial for tilapia farming in general, boosting the fish’s overall resilience and productivity. That’s great news for countries like the Philippines, where tilapia is a staple food source.

What Does This Mean for Tilapia Farming?

This study could completely change the game for tilapia farmers, especially in colder countries or regions that experience significant seasonal shifts in temperature. With the help of these chewing gum ingredients, tilapia farming could expand beyond tropical zones, providing a more sustainable and reliable source of fish protein worldwide.

Precise quantities of Arabic gum and lecithin are mixed into the fish feed before being added to tanks containing Nile tilapia fingerlings. Photo Credit: Benha University / National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Egypt.

It also opens up the possibility of producing healthier tilapia, with better growth rates and improved overall health. This could potentially reduce the need for expensive temperature control systems, which are often used to keep fish warm in colder climates. By using a simple dietary adjustment, tilapia farmers could save on costs and still ensure their fish thrive.

What’s Next?

While this study has already provided some incredible insights, there’s still more to explore. Researchers are looking into how these ingredients can be optimized even further, possibly reducing the amounts needed while still getting the same health and survival benefits for the fish.

As Dr. Ragaza put it, “This is just the beginning. We’re excited to see how far this research can go in helping farmers and improving the overall sustainability of tilapia farming.”

Food Security Benefits

Who would’ve thought that something as simple as ingredients found in chewing gum could play a crucial role in fish farming? Thanks to the innovative work of researchers from Egypt and Ateneo de Manila University, tilapia might soon be farmed in regions where they’ve never been able to survive before.

This is an exciting development not only for fish farming but also for food security, as tilapia is one of the most consumed fish in the world. With healthier fish and the potential for expanded farming, this discovery could have a lasting impact on the global food supply.