Myo-Inositol Supplementation in Aquatic Nutrition
Summary
Myo-inositol is a cyclic polyol that plays a pivotal role in cellular signalling, osmoregulation, lipid metabolism and antioxidant defence across a wide range of aquatic species. Although traditionally classified among the B-vitamin complex, this molecule functions more as an essential nutrient precursor, influencing membrane stability and enzyme activation. Supplementation strategies have been developed to address dietary deficiencies that can compromise growth performance, feed utilisation and stress resilience in intensive aquaculture. Optimal inclusion levels vary with species, life stage and dietary composition, but generally fall within a few hundred milligrams per kilogram of feed. Beyond growth promotion, myo-inositol has been shown to moderate lipid accumulation in the liver, enhance antioxidant enzyme activities and support osmotic balance under salinity fluctuations. Such multifaceted benefits carry global significance for sustainable production, offering a cost-effective means to improve health, reduce environmental impact and bolster the economic viability of finfish and crustacean farming.
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Myo-Inositol Supplementation in Aquatic Nutrition publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in myo-inositol supplementation in aquatic nutrition across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Specific growth rate (SGR): the percentage increase in body mass per day, reflecting growth performance.
Feed conversion ratio (FCR): the mass of feed required to produce one unit of biomass, indicating feed efficiency.
Hepatosomatic index (HSI): the ratio of liver weight to total body weight, used to assess lipid deposition and organ health.
Antioxidant capacity: the ability of an organism to neutralise reactive oxygen species via enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms.
Osmoregulation: the physiological process by which aquatic animals maintain fluid and electrolyte balance under varying salinities.
References
- Inositol Inclusion Affects Growth, Body Composition, Antioxidant Performance, and Lipid Metabolism of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides). Aquaculture Nutrition (2024).
- Effects of Dietary Inositol Supplementation on Growth, Digestive Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, and Body Composition of Golden Pompano (Trachinotus ovatus). Frontiers in Physiology (2022).
- Regulatory Effects of Myo‐Inositol on Carbohydrate Metabolism and Low‐Salinity Adaptation in Pacific White Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). Aquaculture Nutrition (2024).
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