Marine microalgae as potential source for sustainable aquafeeds: A scientometric perspective on stewarding aquaculture sustainability

Aquaculture, the fastest-growing food sector, has emerged as a vital contributor to nutritional sustainability and global food security. Rapid growth of the world population, coupled with rising nutritional requirements, has shifted focus from constrained land-based food production to sustainable aquatic-food production systems. In this context, nutrient-rich marine microalgae have gained considerable attention as sustainable plant-based ingredients for aquafeeds and as a valuable resource for high-value aquaculture production. A scientometric analysis was conducted to evaluate the research landscape and emerging trends in the field “marine microalgae in advancing sustainable aquaculture feeds and development.” 1073 Scopus-based publications were identified, accounting for an h-index of 83, with yearly escalation in citations from 2008 onward. Visualization of country-based co-authorships illustrate Europe forming the primary collaboration landscape with maximal funded projects (83), while the US acts as a linkage node between Europe, Asia, and emerging regions. Norway is the leading country as per cumulative link strength with other regions, in terms of co-authorships. Keyword, title, abstract terms depict potential of microalgae, deemed as alternative source of aquaculture feeds and nutraceutical substances. Time trending semantic association depict promising role of microalgae food technologies in augmenting fish productivity, growth, value-added production, resource-use efficiency and sustainable aquaculture development contributing to circular blue economy.