FICA aims to develop a set of specialized services for zootechnical, physiological and molecular research, to tackle the current and future challenges of the aquaculture industry in the area of industrial contracted research.

The main objectives of the project are:

• Refine the methodologies to estimate fish and shrimp appetite (e.g., using a fluorescent compound);
• Refine the methodologies to estimate the true digestibility in fish;
• Develop a service to predict the nutritional effects on the long-term of feed additives and emerging ingredients, based on mathematical modelling;
• Develop a new gut health evaluation service, including the assessment of gut permeability, characterization of the microbiota and use of a new panel of biomarkers (systemic and genetic).

This project has received funding from COMPETE 2020, CRESC Algarve 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union through ERDF under reference ALG-01-0247-FEDER-047175. The content of this page only expresses the views of the author. The Portuguese National Authorities or the European Union cannot be held liable for any use made of this publication.