Effect of Body Size on Growth, Survival, and Chemical Composition of Atlantic Salmon Fed Soy Lecithin and Choline

Abstract

Abstract A nutritional study consisting of four feeding experiments was conducted in which Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were first fed experimental diets at swim-up (0. 18 g) and at weights of 1.0, 1.7, and 7.5 g. The objectives of the study were to (1) determine if the size at which Atlantic salmon are first fed lecithin affects their growth, survival, and body composition, and (2) compare the responses of Atlantic salmon to different sources of dietary lecithin. Fish fed 4% commercial food-grade lecithin (i.e., 100% soy lecithin) or 8% feed-grade lecithin (i.e., a corn–soy lecithin mixture containing over 50% corn lecithin and 5% insoluble impurities) from swim-up grew faster than fish fed no lecithin but fed sufficient choline. Although fish fed supplemental lecithin from swim-up grew equally well regardless of source and level of lecithin, they grew almost 50% faster than fish fed the basal diet with no supplemental lecithin or choline. Fish started on the experimental diets at 1.0 and 1.7 g grew fas...