Complete Replacement Of Fish Meal Research Articles

Studying the efficiency of Gaprin application in sterlet farming

In the course of the experiment, the influence of new feed additives created on the basis of Gaprin and representing biomass of inactivated cell culture of non-pathogenic methane-oxidizing yeasts or bacteria on sturgeon fish productivity indicators was studied. The research was carried out in the Krasnodar Territory on sterlet fingerlings. The experiment lasted for 60 days. According to the scheme of the experiment, the 1st (control) group of fish received complete feeds without additives, i.e. containing 100.0% fish meal. In group 2 feeding, 50.0% fishmeal was replaced with 50.0% Gaprin. Group 3 diet contained 25.0% fishmeal and 75.0% Gaprin. In the feed for group 4, fish meal and Gaprin were in the ratio of 75/25%. In Group 5, fish meal was completely replaced by Gaprin, in this case the amount of additive was 10.5 kg. Sterlet fingerlings from Group 6 received feed with 10.0% Gaprin. The initial live weight in all groups was similar at 30 g. However, the inclusion of Gaprin in the diet by reducing the amount of fish meal contributed to an increase in the final live weight of sterlets in the experimental groups by 4.4–19.4% compared to the control. The exceptions were groups 5 and 6, which received 100.0 and 90.0% Gaprin instead of fishmeal. Final live weight in these groups was lower by 2.3 and 0.9%, respectively. Feed costs per 1 kg of live weight gain in the groups with partial or complete replacement of fish meal were lower relative to the 1st group (from 7.0 to 17.9%,).Inclusion of Gaprin in complete feeds contributed to the increase in profit from 553.00 to 1785.00 rubles.

Complete Replacement of Fish Meal with Potential Aquafeed Ingredients for Rainbow Trout in Iran

Iran, as one of the largest rainbow trout producers in the world, needs sustainable aquafeed resources to fulfill the requirements of this growing industry. Therefore, locally available canola meal, feather meal, blood meal and poultry by-product meal were evaluated on their suitability for feeding rainbow trout. Fish growth performance and apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of nutrients were investigated for three casein-based fish meal-free diets, a practical feed including 10% spray-dried blood meal, 22% poultry by-product meal, 10% feather meal (GOLDMEHL®), 10% canola meal and 15.5% wheat flour in comparison to a commercial diet containing fish meal. The diets were allocated to aquaria in three replicates arranged in a random-block-design. Findings of the present study illustrated that growth performance remained unchanged (p>0.05) among fish fed fish meal-free diets and the commercial one. Formulating aquafeed using properly processed local feed ingredients such as poultry slaughterhouse by-products, canola meal, and crystalline amino acids can provide a sustainable solution to meet the feed requirements of the growing aquaculture industry on a regional scale. This research shows the potential for using locally available resources in aquafeed manufacturing.

Total Replacement of Fish Meal by the Combination of Fish Residue Meal and Soy Protein from Soymilk in the Diet of Red Sea Bream (Pagrus major).

Three experiments were performed to explore (i) the complete replacement of fish meal (FM) with a combination of fish residue meal (FRM, 65% round discarded fish + 35% byproduct), soy protein concentrate (SPC) from soymilk and corn gluten meal (CGM) in Trial 1 and (ii) the utilization of diets composed of increasing byproducts in FRM in the summer (Trial 2) and winter (Trial 3) seasons. In Trial 1, the ratio of (SPC + CGM):FM in the control diet (C) was 8:2. The FM component from diet C was replaced with FRM (diet, RM20), where the ratio of (SPC + CGM):FRM became 8:2, and this ratio was changed to 6:4, 4:6 and 2:8, and referred to as RM40, RM60 and RM80, respectively. In Trials 2 and 3, the ratios of round discarded fish and byproducts in FRM were adjusted to 65:35 (FRM1), 30:70 (FRM2) and 0:100 (FRM3), and the FRM component from diet RM40 in Trial 1 was replaced with FRM1, FRM2 and FRM3 to formulate diets RM1, RM2 and RM3, respectively. In Trials 1, 2 and 3, rearing periods were 10, 8 and 12 weeks, respectively. In Trials 1 and 3, there were no significant differences in growth parameters, nutrient retention efficiency or plasma constituents among the treatments, irrespective of the inclusion levels of FRM in the diets (p > 0.05). Although there were no significant differences in final mean weight (p > 0.05), daily feeding rate and feed conversion ratio in diet RM3 were significantly higher and lower, respectively, compared to the control group in Trial 2 (p < 0.05). These results suggest that FM can be entirely replaced with FRM, and that the total elimination of round discarded fish from FRM does not affect growth or health status in red sea bream either in summer or winter seasons.

Enzymological, histological, and serum biomarker responses of snubnose pompano on complete replacement of fishmeal using cottonseed meal supplemented with lysine and methionine in the diet.

In a feeding experiment, cottonseed meal (CSM) was used to replace fishmeal (FM) in the diet of snubnose pompano, Trachinotus blochii, supplemented with lysine and methionine to assess the growth, nutritive profile, hematological, histological, and stress biomarker response. Experimental fishes were randomly stocked in five treatments each with triplicates. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets with graded level of CSM (0, 8.7, 17.4, 26.0, and 34.7%) as replacement for FM protein (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) were formulated and fed to respective treatments. Comparison between various parameters among the treatments was made using orthogonal polynomial contrasts to indicate the statistical significance. Higher alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, aspartate, and alanine aminotransferase activities were observed in 0CSM group and followed by 100CSM group as higher inclusion level of CSM with higher free gossypol content did not affect the metabolic enzyme activities. The maximum muscular free gossypol accretion of 1.28mgkg-1 (on wet basis) was recorded in 100CSM group which was very well below the critical limit set by FDA. As a conclusion, fishmeal can be completely replaced using cottonseed meal in the diet of pompano without adverse effect on growth, metabolism, and general health.

Complete Replacement of Fishmeal With Plant Protein Ingredients in Gibel Carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) Diets by Supplementation With Essential Amino Acids Without Negative Impact on Growth Performance and Muscle Growth-Related Biomarkers

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of substitution of dietary fishmeal (FM) by compound plant protein supplemented with essential amino acids on growth performance, plasma physiology, and muscle growth-related genes of gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). Four diets with equal digestible protein were prepared, where 30FM (control feed) contained 30% FM and land animal protein as a protein source, 10FM contained 10% FM, PMAa contained full plant meal (PM) supplemented with crystalline amino acid, and PM contained full PM feed. There was no significant difference in the specific growth rate (SGR) with 30FM, 10FM, and PMAa diets (p &amp;gt; 0.05); however, the SGR of PM group was the lowest with significant difference (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Feed efficiency of the PM group was the lowest with significant difference (p &amp;lt; 0.05). The whole-body crude protein content of fish in PMAa group was significantly higher than that in each group with additional FM (p &amp;lt; 0.05). There were no significant differences in plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and free amino acid profile of 30FM, 10FM, and PMAa groups (p &amp;gt; 0.05); however, they were significantly higher than that in PM group (p &amp;lt; 0.05). The expression of key genes in the TOR signaling pathway (tor, s6k1, 4e-bp2, and eif4e), autophagy (ulk1 and atg13), and ubiquitin–proteasome (trim63 and znrf2) system of the PMAa group was similar to that of the FM group (p &amp;gt; 0.05), indicating that the muscle growth-related biomarker genes were positively regulated by the appropriate dietary amino acid composition at the transcriptional level. These results suggest that FM in gibel carp diet can be totally replaced by PM without negative impact on growth performance and muscle growth-related biomarkers at the transcriptional level, which provided the requirement of digestible protein and balanced amino acid profile is satisfied.

ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕ БЕЛКА МИКРОБИОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО СИНТЕЗА В КОРМЛЕНИИ ПЕРЕПЕЛОВ

Animal origin protein sources and protein feeds at the base of soya and soya processing products are poultry diet important components. Protein products being received with usage of modern technologies of microbiological synthesis may be used as an alternative protein source. Positive results have been received in experiment with pharaon breed quails that were fed with these products instead of fish meal during all the raising period. Complete fish meal replacement with this protein has led to 42-day quails average body weight by 1.95% in comparison with control group. Male and female body weight has been more than in control group by 0.39 and 3.3% respectively and feed conversion has been better by 2.93%.

Utilization of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens Linnaeus) Larvae as a Protein Source for Fish Feed: A Review

Aquaculture plays a major role in curbing malnutrition and food insecurity. Nonetheless, aquaculture sustainability is threatened by expensive fish feeds due to the overreliance on fish meal (FM) as the main source of protein. Fish meal is not only expensive but also scarce due to declining capture fisheries and competition from other animal feed producers. This has prompted research on potential FM replacers, amongst them the black soldier fly (BSF) larvae (Hermetia illucens). The BSF larvae can effectively convert organic wastes into a potential valuable feed source, and its high nutritional content (crude protein of up to 64% dry matter) is vital for fish feed formulation. Nevertheless, there are no documented studies on the complete replacement of FM in the diets of fish using BSF larvae. Therefore, the current study reviewed 107 research publications related to BSF larvae vis-a-visfish feeds production to build capacity for existing theories, identify gaps, and suggest new and further research directions, based on the previous studies available in the area of larvae production and utilization in aquaculture nutrition. The study results are expected to help farmers make an informed decision on how to reduce the cost of fish production, increase yields, thus promoting food security, livelihoods, and ecological balance.

Total Replacement of Fishmeal by Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) and Its Effect on Growth Performance and Product Quality of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Microalgae are increasingly being studied to replace fishmeal in aquafeed production. Low level Spirulina supplementation to various fish species has been widely investigated, demonstrating enhanced growth and better product quality. In order to evaluate the effects of a full fishmeal replacement with Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) on growth and product quality in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), two isoenergetic diets were formulated and fed for ten weeks to 120 fish with an average initial weight of 50 ± 3 g. Full supplementation of Spirulina resulted in reduced growth (p &lt; 0.001) whereas feed conversion ratio was on par (p &gt; 0.05). Furthermore, Spirulina-fed fish showed a more intense yellow coloration in skin, and raw and cooked fillet (p &lt; 0.001). The analysis of fatty acids revealed higher proportions of C16:0 (p &lt; 0.001) and C18:2n6 (p &lt; 0.05) in fish fed the Spirulina-diet while C24:0 (p &lt; 0.01) and C20:5n3 (p &lt; 0.001) were found to be higher in the control group. Even though no statistically significant differences in the overall SFA, MUFA and PUFA were detected, a slight increase of the n6/n3 ratio was observed in the Spirulina-fed fish. Without further optimization of the feed ration, a complete fishmeal replacement with Spirulina can lead to economic losses. It remains to be studied whether the observed changes in product quality affect consumer acceptance.

Plant Ingredient diet supplemented with lecithin as fish meal and fish oil alternative affects growth performance, serum biochemical, lipid metabolism and growth‐related gene expression in Nile tilapia

The current study evaluated the effects of replacing fish meal (FM) and fish oil (FO) with plant ingredients without or with lecithin supplementation on Nile tilapia growth, blood biochemistry, intestinal morphology, growth- and lipid-metabolism-related gene expression. Fingerlings were assigned to six dietary groups: FM and FO (G1), FM and plant oil (G2), plant protein and plant oil (G3), and the same three treatments but with lecithin supplementation (G4–G6) respectively. Fingerlings in G1 and G2 showed higher body weight than fish in G3 (p > 0.05). Lecithin supplementation improved (p < 0.05) growth, particularly in fish fed plant ingredients (G6). Fish fed different diets showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein concentrations compared with G1. Albumin concentration was significantly reduced in G3 and G6. Partial or complete replacement of FO and FM with plant ingredients, with or without lecithin, significantly modulated (p < 0.05) expression levels of some regulatory genes related to growth and lipid metabolism, with the highest expression in lecithin-supplemented fish. It could be concluded that the complete replacement of FM and FO with plant ingredients (plant protein and oil) non-significantly reduced fish performance. Nevertheless, with lecithin supplementation, Nile tilapia can effectively utilize this plant-based diet as reflected with enhanced growth.

Transformation of fish waste protein to Hermetia illucens protein improves the efficacy of poultry by-products in the culture of juvenile barramundi, Lates calcarifer

Promoting a circular economy via the transformation of food waste into alternative and high-value protein sources for aquaculture diets is a novel approach to developing alternative raw materials to fishmeal (FM). This approach can reduce the ecological impact on the aquatic environment and simultaneously can provide an option for sustainable food waste management. In this context, we report a 56-day trial of feeding barramundi, Lates calcarifer on four iso‑nitrogenous and iso-lipidic diets where the control (0PBM-0HI) was a FM-based diet and the other test diets replaced FM protein with mixtures of a poultry by-product meal (PBM) and a full-fat Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae meal reared on fish waste: the test diets were 85% PBM + 15% HI (85PBM-15HI), 80% PBM + 20% HI (80PBM-20HI) and 75% PBM + 25% HI (75PBM-25HI). Fish fed PBM-HI-based diets showed an equal growth rate and amino acid profile when compared to the control group. Among all serum metabolites, alanine aminotransferase and glutamate dehydrogenase decreased in fish fed PBM-HI-based diets, whilst total protein levels improved in the same diets. Serum lysozyme and bactericidal activity were unchanged which supported the observation of similar infection rates against V. harveyi. Except for the kidney and intestine, catalase activity in the serum and liver increased in fish-fed PBM-HI-based diets. In assessing the gastrointestinal mucosal morphology, the goblet cells producing neutral mucins were higher in PBM-HI-fed fish than the control. PBM-HI diets also enhanced bacterial richness and diversity and increased abundance for Lactobacillus, Clostridium, and Ruminococcus. In summary, combining full-fat HI with PBM allowed complete replacement of FM with no negative effects on growth whilst improving gut health. Such diets would be beneficial for the aquaculture industry, both ecologically and economically, as well as providing value-adding to animal waste as alternative protein sources for aquafeed production.

Crocodile meat meal as a fishmeal substitute in juvenile dusky kob (Argyrosomus japonicus) diets: Feed utilization, growth performance, blood parameters, and tissue nutrient composition

Overreliance on fishmeal (FM) as an aquafeed ingredient has become economically and ecologically unsustainable because wild stocks of forage fish are declining causing disruptions in aquatic food webs. On the other hand, the crocodile skin business generates substantial quantities of crocodile meat whose demand for human consumption is extremely low. The potential value of crocodile meat meal (CMM) as a FM alternative in fish diets is unknown. Therefore, this short-term, preliminary study investigated the effect of replacing FM with raw or cooked CMM on feed utilization, growth performance, haemato-biochemical parameters, and tissue nutrient composition in juvenile dusky kob (Argyrosomus japonicus, Temminck and Schlegel, 1843). Diets were formulated by replacing FM in a commercial diet (control) with 1. cooked CMM at 50 % (CCR50), 2. raw CMM at 50 % (RCR50), 3. raw CMM at 100 % (RCR100), and 4. cooked CMM at 100 % (CCR100). Fingerlings (7.55 ± 0.87 g) were offered diets at 2.8 % body weight, twice daily, in a recirculating aquaculture system (20 tanks; 110 fish/tank) for 5 weeks. Weight was measured weekly while blood and fillet samples were collected in week 5. Complete replacement of FM with CMM significantly reduced feed intake, weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), and protein efficiency ratio (PER) while increasing FCR over the 5-week period. The RCR100 and CCR100 diets also resulted in higher levels of urea, alkaline phosphatase, and lower triglycerides in the serum of fish. Complete replacement of FM with CMM increased palmitoleic and oleic acids in fish muscle compared to the control. Regardless of level of FM substitution, CMM had an adverse impact on linoleic acid, linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid concentration of the dusky kob fillet. A supplementation strategy using oils rich in n-3 fatty acids could mitigate the negative impact of dietary CMM on feed utilization, growth performance, and polyunsaturated fatty acid levels in dusky kob fillet without raising economic and ecological costs.

New generation protein supplement in combined feeds for broiler chickens

In experiments on broiler chickens of the SGC “Smena” selection, it was found that the partial replacement of fish meal with an additive based on a protein of microbial origin, containing 68.3% of crude protein, allows to provide a live weight of chickens comparable to the control with high poultry safety, due to good protein digestibility and availability of amino acids. A comprehensive assessment of the productivity of broilers according to the productivity index showed that the replacement of 50% of fish meal with microbial protein contributed to an increase in the productivity index of chickens of the second group by 4.78 points in comparison with the control. The complete replacement of fish meal in the third experimental group was less effective, as evidenced by a decrease in the productivity index to 303.91 points compared to 308.73 in the control. It is shown that the introduction of a protein supplement into the feed for broiler chickens in Analysis of the chemical composition of the liver of 35-day-old broilers showed that the protein content in the liver of chickens of the second and third groups was higher than the control by 1.99 and 0.58%, while there was no increase in the fat content in the groups with a protein supplement. The crude fat content was at the level of 11.38 and 12.20% versus 13.0% in the control, which indirectly indicates the absence of a cytotoxic effect on liver cells from the use of microbial protein in the studied dosages.

Complete replacement of fishmeal by soybean and poultry meals in Pacific whiteleg shrimp feeds: Growth and tolerance to EMS/AHPND and WSSV challenge

Corresponding to projected global population growth, the world's food production systems must likewise enlarge substantially if current levels of dietary protein intake are to be maintained. The anticipated growth curve for global aquaculture, and especially for shrimp farming, which is forecast to double production by 2030, will inevitably result in shortfalls in currently favored dietary ingredients: fishmeal (FM) and fish oil (FO). Servicing the projected FM-FO shortfall with marine products would be a formidable task as economic, social, moral, safety and environmental issues have forced the feed sector to examine the use of alternative, non-marine, ingredients. Herein, various alternative protein and lipid sources were evaluated as substitutes for FM-FO in Pacific whiteleg shrimp diets. Growth trials were coupled to challenges with viral and bacterial pathogens to assess potential benefit or disadvantage of ingredient switching. No differences (P > .05) were observed between control and test diets regarding growth or survival, Average Daily Gain (g d−1) or Specific Growth Rate (% d−1) over a 56-day period. Moreover, response to post-feeding trial challenge with EMS/AHPND or WSSV also did not differ between diets (P > .05). However, there was a difference in size/age responsiveness to bacterial challenge, with younger animals succumbing to infection more rapidly (P ≤ .035). Similar responses were observed for shrimp exposed to WSSV over the first 5-days post-challenge (P ≤ .02) after which survival rates equalized. Overall, the results support the sustained belief that FM-FO constituents of Pacific whiteleg shrimp diets can be totally replaced by non-marine ingredients that are nutritionally equivalent. Improvement in responsiveness to substitute proteins and oils might be further gained with more judicious blending of ingredients and use of other additives. Such manipulations could also result in less expensive sustainable feeds.

Growth, nutrient retention, innate immune response, and intestinal morphology of juvenile, soy-naïve hybrid striped bass, Morone saxatilis x M. chrysops fed commercial-type, soy-based, ideal protein, fish meal replacement diets

To develop plant-based diets for hybrid striped bass (HSB), Morone chrysops × M. saxatilis, we evaluated six soy products in extruded, ideal protein, fish meal (FM) replacement diets fed to soy-naïve juveniles (3.72 ± 0.01 g initial weight) for up to 5 months. The products included soy protein concentrate (SPC), a conventional soybean meal (SBM) from Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), three non-genetically modified (non-GM) soybean varieties from the University of Arkansas (R05–1415, R05–1772, and R07–2001) with high protein and putatively reduced anti-nutritional factor (ANF) content, and Ozark soybeans, parent to the non-GM strains. The control diet included Special-Select® menhaden fish meal (MFM-S; Omega Protein) at 25.5% of diet and contained 40% digestible protein (DP) and 16% lipid. MFM-S was replaced by each soy product on a digestible protein basis and supplemented with Met, Lys, and Thr based on 40% HSB muscle AA profile. HSB sac fry were reared on soy-free diets to increase the likelihood of detecting any soy-induced performance issues when they were fed the test diets to satiation twice daily. Daily feed intake did not differ among treatments (2.2–2.5% of body weight/day). Fish fed the ADM diet were larger (58 g) and gained (1465%) more than those fed the control (51 g, 1251%); otherwise final weights (47-54 g) and weight gains (1153%–1355%) did not differ from the FM control. Gains in fish fed the SPC diet fell below those of fish fed the ADM, Ozark, and R0–1415 diets. Feed conversion ratios (FCR) were slightly poorer for fish fed the R05–1772 diet (1.09) compared to those fed the control (0.93); otherwise, FCR (0.97–1.01) did not differ among diets. The following responses also did not significantly differ among treatments: protein, energy, and AA retentions, whole body protein, moisture, and ash, muscle ratio, and hematological and innate immune parameters. There were slight differences among treatments in whole body lipid and energy, Glu and His content, and liver size. Challenge with Columnaris generally revealed no adverse effect of soy diet on time to death. In contrast to most fish studies, moderate inflammation was noted in proximal intestinal samples from soy-based diets after 73 days, whereas distal gut morphology did not differ among diets. However, no intestinal inflammation was found after a further 5 months of feeding test diets. Complete replacement of FM with various soybean varieties is possible in juvenile hybrid striped bass diets using ideal protein formulas with little impact on fish performance.

Recent trends in fish feed ingredients – mini review

Fish farming is commonly described as being extensive, semi-intensive or intensive. The continuous growing of aquaculture sector (around 8 % per year) led systems to be more and more intensive. In intensive farming, the fish are kept at high stocking density, that’s why the fish are dependent on the feed provided. Last decades aquaculture became more and more effective, but it has not been without concern for natural resource use, environmental impact and social judgement. Increasing fishmeal (FM) cost, irregular supply, decreasing availability, and poor quality of FM have put forward highlighting on its partial or complete substitution with other alternative protein sources. The fish feed industry has to be very responsible about to use FM alternatives. Scientists have to share on this burden to achieve sustainable, cost-effective aims. Indicators of sustainability in aquaculture could be energy efficiency, use of water, nutrient utilisation efficiency and production costs. The climate change is also affecting the sector, such as the predicted changes in ocean circulation pattern might also have a negative influence on the reliability of small pelagic stocks that being utilized for FM production or the appearance of mycotoxins on terrestrial plants, what could be possible alternative ingredients. The increase of the amount of non-marine ingredients in feeds is the result of years of investment and research in feed formulation to provide the nutrients the fish need to growth and remain healthy. Significant progress has been made over the past decade in reducing levels of FM in commercial feeds for farmed fish. Common obstacles associated with consumption of plant-based protein diets, because many times we face the facts with amino acid imbalances and deficiencies, high levels of indigestible carbohydrates present in certain grain products, and varying antinutritive factors (ANFs) that negatively affect fish growth and health. In this study the recent trends in alternative fish feed ingredients had been reviewed shortly. In conclusion, complete replacement of fishmeal in fish feeds is more difficult and will require further research efforts to achieve the expected goals, but there are many auspicious alternatives.

Replacement of Fish Meal by Defatted Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) Larvae in Diet Improves Growth Performance and Disease Resistance in Red Seabream (Pargus major).

Simple SummaryYellow mealworm is a potential novel protein source for sustainable food production, especially for aquaculture. In this study, the intake of a diet including defatted mealworm larvae was compared with a control diet containing fish meal from anchovy in a feeding trial with red seabream. As a result, the growth of red seabream fed the diet including defatted mealworm larvae with complete replacement of fish meal was higher than that of fish fed the control diet. Moreover, red seabreams fed diets including mealworm larvae gained disease resistance against pathogenic bacteria. The defatting process is thought to be important for insect-based diets, and the potential functional benefits for cultured fish from the diets, such as acquiring disease resistance, are remarkable.Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae are a potential alternative animal protein source for sustainable aquaculture. However, reports on the successful complete substitution of fish meal with yellow mealworm larvae in an aquaculture diet have been limited. In this study, we conducted a feeding trial with red seabream (Pagrus major) being fed diets with partial or complete replacement of fish meal with yellow mealworm larvae defatted with a hexane–ethanol solution. Feed intake in red seabream increased in accordance with yellow mealworm larvae inclusion, and diets including 65% defatted mealworm larvae (complete replacement of fish meal) showed significant growth promotion. The addition of the oil fraction from mealworm larvae to diets resulted in growth reduction, despite meeting the nutritional requirements of red seabream. Moreover, the survival rate of red seabreams fed diets with partial replacement of fish meal with mealworm larvae was significantly higher in a challenge test with pathogenic Edwardsiella tarda bacteria. The present study demonstrated that yellow mealworm larvae are not merely an alternative animal protein, but have potential as functional feed ingredients for aquaculture production.

Complete replacement of fish meal by plant protein ingredients with dietary essential amino acids supplementation for juvenile blunt snout bream ( Megalobrama amblycephala )

Complete replacement of fish meal by plant protein ingredients with dietary essential amino acids supplementation for juvenile blunt snout bream ( <i>Megalobrama amblycephala</i> )

Effects of the total fish meal replacement by soybean meal on growth parameters, serum biochemistry, and hepatic and intestinal histology of juvenile blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala)

ABSTRACTFish meal is the main protein source in fish diet, but due to its unsustainability, it has to be replaced with more sustainable protein sources, such as soybean meal (SBM), in fish feeds. As SBM often produces negative effects on fish growth and health, we conducted an eight-week trial of complete fish meal replacement with SBM in the diet of juvenile (48.2 ± 0.55 g) blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala), a herbivorous cyprinid fish native to the Yangtze basin (China). SBM-fed fish exhibited: a worsened growth performance; improved survival rate (P > 0.05); elevated serum triglycerides and total cholesterol but reduced low-density lipoprotein in plasma (P < 0.05); mild lipid droplet accumulation and swelling of the liver; elevated goblet cell counts and mild signs of enteritis in the intestines. With negligible effects on growth and mild effects on health, M. amblycephala appears to be comparatively tolerant of SBM, but total fish meal replacement is not recommended. Future studies should aim to identify the SBM tolerance threshold in long-term growth trials.

Sensory and instrumental textural changes in fillets from Pacú (Piaractus mesopotamicus) fed different diets.

The influence of two dietary treatments on quality properties, like textural parameters, sensory profile, and nutritional composition of Pacú fillets (Piaractus mesopotamicus) were studied. Pacú were fed diets based on plant-meals containing 13 g 100 g-1 fish meal (FMD) or bovine plasma protein concentrate (BPPD) as a complete replacement of fish meal. Harvested fish were filleted, kept frozen at -20C for 7 days before analysis. Chemical composition, amino acid and fatty acid profiles, and CIE-Lab parameters of fillets were measured. Sensory characteristics and texture profile analysis (TPA) were conducted for cooked portions. Average values of TPA hardness, chewiness, and deformability modulus were higher in BPPD samples but there was no significant difference in cohesiveness between samples. In accordance with TPA, higher values of firmness and chewiness as well as less flaky muscle were detected in BPPD samples by sensory panel. However, there was no significant difference in the characteristics associated with higher freshness between samples. Total color difference was lower in BPPD samples. Differences in protein, lipid, ash, and moisture content of FMD or BPPD fillets were not found (p > .05). BPPD fillets showed higher basic and sulfur amino acids. Saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid contents were higher in FMD fillets than BPPD. However, a significantly higher n-6/n-3 ratio for FMD fillets was observed. The higher values of textural parameters observed for BPPD cooked fillets and the lower n-6/n-3 ratio imply a better sensory and nutritional quality of fillets from fish fed with BPPD. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: A complete study is presented on how the source of protein and lipids in feed affect both the sensory profile and the nutritional composition of fillets of Pacú (omnivorous temperate freshwater fish) cultivated in the second stage of fattening. Instrumental texture analysis of the fillets is presented, identifying the indicators that match with sensorial analysis. This analysis can help the industry of aquaculture in the evaluation of new ingredients or diets for fish feeding with impact in the quality of fillets.

Inclusion of alternative marine by-products in aquafeeds with different levels of plant-based sources for on-growing gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata, L.): effects on digestibility, amino acid retention, ammonia excretion and enzyme activity

ABSTRACTThe search for new sustainable aquafeeds for the species with greater economic importance, such as the gilthead sea bream in Europe, is one of the main challenges in the aquaculture sector. The present work tested fishmeal replacement by a mixture of plant meals at different levels, as well as the use of marine by-products with attractant properties and high-quality protein in high plant protein diets. In order to do that, effects on growth and biometric parameters, digestibility, amino acid retention, excreted ammonia and proteases and amylase activity were assessed, using six different diets: FM100 (100% of protein provided by fishmeal), FM50 (50% of replacement), FM25 (75% of replacement) and FM0 (100% of replacement), but also FM25+ (75% of replacement and 15% of squid and krill meal inclusion), and FM0+ (100% of replacement and 15% of squid and krill meal inclusion). In group FM0, a clear impact of dietary changes was observed on growth, survival and ammonia excretion. Amino acid retention in group FM0+ was also significantly affected, which can be explained by the limited content of certain amino acids in this diet. On the other hand, no significant differences were observed in most biometric parameters or in enzyme activity. In conclusion, complete fishmeal replacement can be achieved by using a mixture of plant-based sources, but supplementation with complementary marine ingredients can prevent detrimental effects on growth, survival, nutritional parameters and protein metabolism.