Abstract

Apparent digestibility of crude protein, amino acids, lipid, carbohydrate and energy was measured for a range of feed ingredients fed to gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata L. — fish meal, poultry meal, meat meal, blood meal, squid meal, extracted soyabean and wheat flour. Chromic oxide was used as a non-absorbed reference substance and faeces were collected by stripping. Diets compounded from mixtures of these ingredients were then used to examine the possibility of predicting the digestibility of formulated diets. Apparent digestibility of crude protein ranged from 79% to 90%, lipids from 83% to 95% and energy from 72% to 88% in the different ingredients. Apparent digestibility of carbohydrates was lower and ranged from 49% to 77%. Apparent digestibility of amino acids was higher than that of crude protein and differences were found among digestibilities of individual amino acids. Tests conducted using five compound diets indicated that ingredient digestibility was additive for protein, amino acids, lipids and energy, whereas the digestibility of carbohydrates in the compound feeds was slightly lower than predicted. Diets for Sparus aurata may thus be formulated on the basis of digestibility of individual ingredients.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.