How can tilapia survive in chilly waters?

Researchers discovered that two common ingredients in ordinary chewing gum — Arabic gum and lecithin — have been found to help improve the overall health of tilapia and help them survive better in cold climates.

This discovery paves the way for raising tilapia for food outside of the tropical regions where they are commonly farmed.

Native to Africa, the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) has been raised for food since ancient times due to rapid reproduction.

IToday, it’s a common sight in markets across tropical countries like the Philippines and Indonesia. However, these fish are sensitive to cooler temperatures, preferring water between 26°C to 30°C.

In a recent study led by an international team from Egypt and the Philippines, including Dr. Janice Alano Ragaza from Ateneo de Manila University, researchers explored how varying amounts of Arabic gum and lecithin in tilapia fingerling diets affected their health.

Both ingredients are widely used in foods, including chewing gum — Arabic gum comes from the sap of the Acacia tree, while lecithin is a versatile emulsifier sourced from eggs, soybeans, and sunflowers.

The researchers found that Nile tilapia fingerlings fed on 4 grams of Arabic gum and 10 grams of lecithin per kilogram of fish food over the course of three months led to increased levels of minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants that help the fish overcome the stresses of living in winter.

This change was more than just physiological, as it was found that the diet even activated specific genes associated with surviving cold temperatures.

The study, jointly undertaken by Benha University and the National Institute of
Oceanography and Fisheries in Egypt alongside Ateneo de Manila University, was published in Aquaculture Reports Vol. 38 in October 2024.

With these findings, tilapia farming could expand into cooler regions, making this beloved fish even more accessible to food markets worldwide.