The Use of Prebiotics and Probiotics in Fish Meal Processing

Abstract

The use of prebiotics and probiotics in fish meal processing is an alternative method to produce fish meal without boiling, steaming and pressing process. Processing fish meal using prebiotics and probiotics does not produce waste and bad odor that potentially pollutes the environment. This study aims to evaluate physical, chemical and microbiological quality of fish meal processed using two types of prebiotic sources i.e. coconut meal (CM) and palm kernel meal (PKM) and three levels (0; 1 and 2%) of Probio_FM probiotics. The experiment was carried out using a factorial 2 x 3 in complete randomized design with four replications. The variables observed were physical characteristics (aroma, color and texture), microbiological characteristics (number of Lactobacillus spp. and Salmonella colonies), and chemical composition of fish meal (moisture content, crude protein, ether extact and gross energy). The results showed that fish meal processed using prebiotics with or without probiotics had a specific odor of fish meal, light brown color to dark brown, not greasy, not clumping and not indicating physical changes and rancidity after four months of storage. The use of prebiotics combined with Probio_FM produces fish meal free of Salmonella, containing 1010 cfu/g of Lactobacillus spp.; 43, 77 to 45, 81% crude protein; 8, 16 to 11, 35% ether extract; and 4354 to 4529 kcal/kg Gross Energy. It was concluded that the use of coconut meal or palm kernel meal with or without Probio_FM could be applied to produce fish meal as a source of protein as well as source of energy and probiotics, however the combination of prebiotics and probiotics would be better for inhibiting Salmonella growth.