In modern aquaculture, producers face growing pressure to reduce fishmeal, limit antibiotic use and improve feed efficiency: all while maintaining animal health and consistent performance. Yet plant-based diets, fluctuating water quality and high-density farming often challenge gut health, leading to inflammation, weakened immunity and poor nutrient uptake, especially in young or stressed animals. These hidden weaknesses in the digestive system directly impact growth, FCR and survival.
Nutritionists and formulators are actively searching for functional feed solutions that improve gut resilience from within, without relying on pharmaceuticals. One compound that’s gaining attention: tributyrin. This glyceride of butyric acid offers targeted support for gut health, microbiota modulation and epithelial integrity especially in species like shrimp, tilapia and carnivorous fish on low-fishmeal diets. But how to translate the science into real-world success?
A recent review by Palma et al. (2022) summarises the latest scientific evidence behind tributyrin in aqua nutrition, including its biological modes of action and species-specific results. At Olus, we see those effects reflected in practice through years of fieldwork with Olus®C4, our 60% tributyrin product on silica. In this blog, we walk you through the highlights of the review and share insights from Hai Diep, Sales Manager at Olus in Asia. With over 30 years in feed formulation he explains how tributyrin is being applied in shrimp and fish diets and how Olus®C4 fits into future-ready aqua nutrition strategies.