This project continues the development of soybean germplasm with oil quality traits optimized for high value soy-based aquaculture feeds. The project is consistent with the Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) 2023 focus area: “conduct research aimed at genetic-based adjustment of soybean seed composition to enhance marketability” of Nebraska soybeans. The research builds on past NSB funding that led to the development of soybeans containing the fish oil fatty acid EPA, astaxanthin for fish flesh pigmentation, and enhanced vitamin E antioxidants for improved fish shelf-life. The project will continue the development of germplasm producing these two high-value aquaculture feed components. This research will also maintain our soybean aquaculture germplasm development pipeline to generate seed oil with DHA, along with EPA, to more closely mimic fish oil-type fatty acids. The project will focus on strategies that enable the production of these enhanced oil traits without compromising seed performance and protein levels. Approaches will also be explored to increase oil content of EPA/DHA-enriched seeds. This trait may have added benefits for biodiesel applications. Overall, this research is expected to generate germplasm that produce EPA/DHA-containing oils alone or stacked with astaxanthin and vitamin E antioxidants to supply multiple emerging market streams for soybean-based aquaculture feed.

The proposed research addresses the need for soybean germplasm with high-value oil quality traits for aquaculture feed. Our research will generate soybean-based aquaculture feedstocks enriched in EPA and DHA omega-3 fish oil fatty acids, astaxanthin for fish flesh pigmentation, and enhanced vitamin E antioxidants to enhance fish shelf-life and reduce off-flavors and odors. The proposed research will continue our development of soybean aquaculture germplasm by:
1. Maximizing production levels of EPA and DHA in oil of engineered soybean seeds.
2. Enhancing oil content of seeds engineered for EPA and DHA production without compromising protein content and
agronomic performance.
3. Advancing existing germplasm with fish oil functionality, astaxanthin pigments, and enhanced vitamin E antioxidants
through our soybean aquaculture development pipeline for fish feed testing and bioprocessing research.

The project will deliver soybean germplasm with oil composition tailored for multiple high-value aquaculture feed streams with no or minimal impact on seed protein levels. Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food markets. Demand for aquaculture feed is expected to increase annually by >7% to $71.6 billion USD by 2025. Astaxanthin is currently the most expensive aquaculture feed components at ~$2,500/kg.

This project aims to develop soybean germplasm with oil quality traits optimized for high value soy-based aquaculture feeds, one of the most significant new markets for Nebraska soybean producers. Continued expansion of US and global aquaculture production requires development of sustainable feedstocks of land-based protein meal, omega-3 fish oils, and flesh pigments, which can be met in large part by soybean-derived feed. This project will deliver:
Short-term
• Soybean aquaculture germplasm with commercially-viable levels omega-3 fish oil fatty acids and astaxanthin-fish flesh pigment
• Improved oil quality traits for aquaculture feed enriched in vitamin E antioxidants for improved shelf life
• Minimized impact of aquaculture oil traits on total seed oil and protein content
• Validated efficacy of soybean aquaculture oil from fish feeding trials
Long-term
• Germplasm that supplies multiple market streams for soybean-based aquaculture
• Increased profitability per acre for Nebraska soybean farmers