Growth and feed utilization efficiencies of seawater Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., fed a diet containing supplementary enzymes

Abstract

. Supplementary enzymes were added to a diet in order to increase its digestibility and improve the growth achieved by seawater Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. The supplementary enzymes were selected to hydrolyse proteins and carbohydrates. Three diets, with fishmeal as the only source of protein (C1), with fishmeal and soybean meal (C2) and diet C2 with supplementary enzymes (C3) were fed to seawater salmon (100g) for 12 weeks at nominal tank rations equivalent to 2·5% body weight per day. Consumption rates of individual fish were measured by radiography. The salmon fed C3 had higher rates of food consumption, significantly higher final weights and rates of growth and lower food conversion efficiencies and maintenance ration than those fed C2. Salmon fed C1 had similar food conversion efficiencies to the C3 fed fish. These results indicate that the addition of supplementary enzymes to diets containing soybean meal improves the growth and food conversion efficiency of salmon.