The nutritional and aquafeed potential of Marphysa iloiloensis Glasby et al., 2019: A review on the role of polychaetes as a protein source in aquaculture

Polychaetes are considered high-value feed resources in aquaculture because of their high protein content, well-balanced amino acid and fatty acid profiles, and diverse bioactive compounds. Their inclusion in diets has been consistently associated with enhanced reproductive output, larval quality, and feed efficiency in both crustacean and finfish culture. The recently described mud polychaete Marphysa iloiloensis Glasby et al., 2019 is endemic to the Philippines and is one such species that is showing potential as a sustainable protein source in aquaculture. This review synthesizes existing literature on the nutritional composition, biology, aquafeed applications, and rearing potential of M. iloiloensis and related Marphysa species. The available evidence suggests that M. iloiloensis may serve as a sustainable protein source that can be cultured using low-cost inputs within circular economy frameworks. However, the broader application of M. iloiloensis in hatcheries is constrained by several knowledge gaps. These include the need for complete fatty acid and amino acid profiling, digestibility and palatability assessments in target species, determination of optimal dietary inclusion levels, evaluation of the effects of processing and preservation methods on nutrient stability, and hatchery-scale cost-benefit analyses in local hatchery systems. This review consolidates current knowledge and identifies these gaps to support the development of M. iloiloensis as a reliable and sustainable aquafeed ingredient.