Effect Of Replacing Fish Meal Research Articles

Improved fecal particle size profile in Rainbow Trout fed feeds containing different ratios of animal meal and plant protein concentrates: Effect on nitrogen and phosphorus partitioning

AbstractObjectiveOur objective in this study was to evaluate the effects of fish meal replacement with plant and animal protein sources accompanied by a feed binder on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) partitioning in Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss feces.MethodsThree diets in which fish meal (FM; reference diet) was completely replaced with a combination of poultry meal (PM), corn protein concentrate, soy protein concentrate, and guar gum (binder) were evaluated to determine the portioning of N and P in fecal particle size‐classes (fines: <0.6 mm; mid‐size particles: 0.6–1.2 mm; large particles: >1.2 mm) and compared with a commercial feed for Rainbow Trout. Feces were evaluated for particle size composition and the content of total N (TN) and total P (TP) in each size‐class.ResultThere was a significant difference in fecal particle size composition for trout fed the experimental diets compared to those given the commercial feed. Fish that received the four experimental diets produced feces with approximately 43% large particles and 24% fines compared to 6% and 67% for trout that were fed the commercial diet. The TN in feces was significantly higher for trout that were fed the FM diet (3.84%) than for trout fed the FM‐free diets, and TN also declined linearly (2.68, 1.91, and 1.59%) as the content of PM was replaced with plant‐based protein. A diet × particle size interaction effect on fecal N content was also observed in which a significant increase in TN from large particles compared with fines occurred for the experimental FM diet, but there was little difference between size‐classes for the non‐FM‐based feeds. The feces of trout fed the FM diet contained more TP (100,007 μg/g) than the feces of fish receiving the FM‐free diets (46,751–72,659 μg/g), likely due to higher dietary P content of FM. However, TP concentrations followed a similar trend as TN in the FM‐free feeds, declining as the proportion of plant protein sources increased (and as PM decreased). The large fecal particles (72,235 μg/g) contained more TP than the mid‐size particles (68,926 μg/g) or fines (61,974 μg/g), which could be due to leaching in the latter two particle size‐classes, as the potential for solubility likely increased as particle size decreased.ConclusionThese findings may have important implications for improving the fecal particle size profile for sedimentation and removal of regulated nutrients through the formulation of Rainbow Trout feeds in replacement of FM with plant protein.

Effects of fish meal replacement by maggot meal in diets for Nile Tilapia fingerling (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1758) in Burkina Faso

Effects of fish meal replacement by maggot meal in diets for Nile Tilapia fingerling (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1758) in Burkina Faso

Effects of Fish Meal Replacement with Composite Mixture of Soybean Protein Hydrolysates and Other Plant Proteins on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, and Target of Rapamycin Pathway in Largemouth Bass

AbstractA feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of fish meal replacement with a composite mixture of soybean protein hydrolysates and other plant proteins on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and target of rapamycin pathway in Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides. Triplicate groups of Largemouth Bass were fed the diet formulated with 40% (FM40; control), 35% (FM35), 30% (FM30), or 25% (FM25) fish meal for 10 weeks. The results revealed that the best growth performance was achieved in the FM35 group, while a negative effect on growth was observed in the FM25 group. The feed intake of the FM30 and FM25 groups was significantly lower than the other two groups, while no significant difference was observed in feed efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio. No statistical difference was observed in the activity of serum alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase with the replacement of fish meal. However, the replacement of fish meal with composite plant protein significantly reduced hepatic malondialdehyde content, and a significant improvement in total antioxidant capacity was observed in the FM35 group. Gene expression analysis revealed that the expression of amino acid transporter LAT1 was significantly elevated in the FM35 group, while no significant difference was observed in the LAT2 expression among different treatments. No significant difference was observed in the expression of target of rapamycin among treatments. However, the expression of ribosomal protein S6 in the FM35 and FM30 groups was significantly higher than in the other two groups, while the replacement of fish meal significantly decreased the expression of eukaryotic initiation factor 4EBP1. In summary, the composite mixture of soybean protein hydrolysates and other plant proteins can reduce the use of fish meal from 40% to 35%.

Fish Meal Replacement by Mixed Plant Protein in the Diets for Juvenile Yellow Catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco: Effects on Growth Performance and Health Status.

Increasing dietary replacement levels of fish meal by alternative plant proteins are of value for aquaculture. Here, a 10-week feeding experiment was undertaken to explore the effects of fish meal replacement by mixed plant protein (at a 2 : 3 ratio of cottonseed meal to rapeseed meal) on growth performance, oxidative and inflammatory responses, and mTOR pathway of yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Yellow catfish (2.38 ± 0.1 g, mean ± SEM) were randomly divided into 15 indoors fiberglass tanks, 30 fish each tank, and fed five isonitrogenous (44% crude protein) and isolipidic (9% crude fat) diets with fish meal replaced by mixed plant protein at 0% (the control), 10% (RM10), 20% (RM20), 30% (RM30), and 40% (RM40), respectively. Among five groups, fish fed the control, and RM10 diets tended to have higher growth performance, higher protein content, and lower lipid content in livers. Dietary mixed plant protein substitute increased hepatic free gossypol content and damaged liver histology and reduced the serum total essential amino acids, total nonessential amino acids, and total amino acid contents. Yellow catfish fed the control, and RM10 diets tended to have higher antioxidant capacity. Dietary mixed plant protein replacement tended to promote proinflammatory responses and inhibited mTOR pathway. Based on the second regression analysis of SGR against mixed plant protein substitutes, the optimal replacement level of fish meal by mixed plant protein was 8.7%.

Effects of fishmeal replacement by Clostridium autoethanogenum protein on the growth, digestibility, serum free amino acid and gene expression related to protein metabolism of obscure pufferfish (Takifugu obscurus)

A 63-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of Clostridium autoethanogenum protein (CAP) on the growth, digestibility, postprandial free amino acid concentrations in serum, and gene expression related to protein metabolism in obscure pufferfish (Takifugu obscurus). The basal diet with 420 g/kg of fishmeal was used as the control diet (CAP0), and then 20 % (CAP20), 40 % (CAP40) and 80 % (CAP80) dietary fishmeal were replaced by CAP. Compared with diet CAP0, the growth and feed utilization was not affected in fish fed diet CAP20, but was significantly reduced in fish fed diets CAP40 and CAP80 (P < 0.05). The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter and protein in the CAP80 group were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of the other three groups, and the ADC of lipid was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the CAP40 and CAP80 groups. Fish fed diets CAP40 and CAP80 had lower taurine content in muscle compared to those fed diets CAP0 and CAP20 (P < 0.05). Higher free essential amino acid concentrations in serum were observed in fish fed diet CAP80 compared to the other diets at 2 h after refeeding (P < 0.05). Fish fed diets CAP40 and CAP80 showed lower hardness and gumminess in muscle than those fed the other diets (P < 0.05). The expression of peptide transporter1 (PepT1) in intestine and target of rapamycin (TOR) in muscle were significantly up-regulated in the CAP40 groups compared to the control (CAP0) (P < 0.05). However, relative expressions of 4F2 heavy chain (4F2hC), L-type amino acid transporter 2 (y+LAT2) and T-type amino acid transporter1(TAT1) in intestine were not significantly affected by graded levels of CAP (P > 0.05). The inclusion of CAP did not significantly affect the expression of ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1), eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) and 4E-BP2 (P > 0.05) in muscle and liver. In summary, in a basal diet containing 420 g/kg fishmeal, 20 % fishmeal in diets could be successfully substituted by CAP, while high-level CAP decreased the growth, feed utilization and digestibility in juvenile obscure pufferfish. The main reasons for the inhibition of growth performance were probably that excessive CAP caused dietary taurine deficiency and the imbalance of amino acid absorption.

Effect of fish meal replacement by black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal on serum biochemical indices, thyroid hormone and zootechnical performance of laying chickens

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of fish meal replacement by black soldier larvae meal on biochemical parameters, thyroid hormone and productive parameters of egg-type chickens from day-old to 68 wk of age. A total of 480-day-old Isa Brown egg-type chickens were assigned to 4 dietary treatments with larvae meal to replace fish meal at 0% (T0:), 50% ( T 50 ), 75% ( T 75 ), and 100% ( T 100 ). Each treatment had 6 replicates of 20 birds. Fish meal was used at the 8% level as the control diet. Data were collected on feed intake, live weight, biochemical parameters, eggs production, serum triiodothyronine ( T 3 ), and thyroxine ( T 4 ). Results showed that there was a similarity in the feed intake of the birds across the treatments. Higher body weights and lower ( P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio ( FCR ) were recorded in the birds fed 100 and 75% larvae meal during the rearing period. Overall, egg production was similar in birds fed 100 and 75% larvae meal and significantly higher ( P < 0.05) as compared to other groups. Total protein, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, serum T 3 and T 3 /T 4 ratio increased significantly ( P < 0.05) with the increase in the level of larvae meal. It was concluded that fish meal can be replaced with larvae meal up to 100% in layer diet for improved body weights and egg production.

Effects of fish meal replacement by three protein sources on physical pellet quality and growth performance of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

The study investigated the effects of replacing fish meal with cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC), Tenebrio molitor (TM) and Clostridium autoethanogenum protein (CAP) on physical pellet quality and growth, feed utilization of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). A control diet (FM) was designed to contain 200 g/kg fish meal, then, 60 g/kg CPC, TM and CAP were used to replace the same amount of fish meal, respectively, to form four diets by pelleting. After the evaluation of physical quality, the four diets were fed to shrimp with initial body weight of 7.72 ± 0.01 g for 6 weeks. The results indicated that pellet hardness and bulk density were significantly increased (P < 0.05), when fish meal was substituted by CPC, TM and CAP, but no significant differences in starch gelatinization degree and pellet durability index were detected among the four diets (P > 0.05). In addition, the dissolution loss and powder content in CPC and CAP diets were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Compared to FM group, TM group presented significantly higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) and lower protein retention(P < 0.05), but the other two groups showed no significant differences in growth performance (P > 0.05). Hepatopancreas amylase activity in CPC and CAP groups was significantly higher than that in FM group (P < 0.05), while no significant differences in the activities of hepatopancreas protease and pyruvate kinase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were found among the four groups (P > 0.05). The hepatopancreas and intestinal histology were normal in all groups without obvious injury. In conclusion, in the pelleted feed containing 200 g/kg fish meal, the replacement of 60 g/kg fish meal with CPC and CAP improved the physical pellet quality and had no negative effects on growth performance and nutrient utilization, but the replacement of 60 g/kg fish meal with TM decreased the growth performance and nutrient utilization of Pacific white shrimp.

Fishmeal substitution with low-gossypol cottonseed meal in the diet for juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.): Effects on growth, nutrients utilization and haematological responses

An 8-week feeding trial was carried out to explore the effects of fish meal replacement with low-gossypol cottonseed meal, a potential alternative protein source, in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.). Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets, with different substitutional levels (0%, 15%, 25%, 35% and 45%, respectively), were formulated. The growth performance, feed utilization and haematological responses were determined. Compared with the fishmeal group, fish growth was not affected when the replacement level was no more than 35%. The feed efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio in LC45 group were significantly lower. The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter and crude protein, as well as the ADCs of lysine and proline, were inhibited when the replacement level reached 25%. Furthermore, the glucose and cholesterol levels in plasma in LC45 group were significantly lower than that in FM group. Significantly lower content of malondialdehyde was observed in LC25 group while the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in LC45 were significantly induced. The height of intestinal villi in LC45 was significantly lower than in other groups. Overall, the results indicate that low-gossypol cottonseed meal could be used as an alternative plant protein source in turbot and it could replace 35% fishmeal in the diet.

Effects of fish meal replacement with Chlorella meal on growth performance, pigmentation, and liver health of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Chlorella meal is a potential protein source for aquafeeds. However, the physiological response of carnivorous fish fed Chlorella meal remains elusive. This study evaluated the effects of replacing dietary fish meal with Chlorella meal on growth performance, pigmentation, and liver health in largemouth bass. Five diets were formulated to replace dietary fish meal of 0% (C0, control), 25% (C25), 50% (C50), 75% (C75), and 100% (C100) with Chlorella meal, respectively. Total 300 fish (17.6 ± 0.03 g) were randomly assigned to 15 tanks (3 tanks/group). Fish were fed the experimental diet twice daily for 8 weeks. The increased dietary Chlorella meal quadratically influenced the final body weight (FBW), weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR), and feed intake (FI), which were significantly lower in the C100 group than in the other groups (P < 0.05). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) increased linearly or quadratically with dietary Chlorella meal. Dietary Chlorella meal linearly or quadratically increased the lutein content of plasma, liver, and dorsal muscle of largemouth bass (P < 0.05). Compared to the C0 group, all supplemented Chlorella meal groups significantly improved the yellowness (b∗) of the dorsal body (1.5 to 2.0 fold), abdominal body (1.5 to 1.8 fold), and dorsal muscle (3.8 to 5.4 fold) of largemouth bass (P < 0.05). In addition, compared to the C0 group, the liver vacuolation area of fish was significantly increased in the C75 and C100 groups (P < 0.05). Transcriptional levels of apoptosis-related genes of β-cell lymphoma-2 (bcl2), caspase-9-like (casp9), and caspase-3a (casp3) were markedly upregulated (0.9 to 1.6 fold) in the C100 group compared to the C0 group (P < 0.05). Based on the quadratic regression analysis between FBW, WGR, or SGR and dietary Chlorella meal level, largemouth bass had the best growth when replacing 31.7% to 32.6% of fish meal with 15.03% to 15.43% dietary Chlorella meal. The present results indicated that dietary supplementation with Chlorella meal (11.85% to 47.45%) significantly enhanced the pigmentation; however, total replacement of fish meal (40%) with Chlorella meal (47.45%) caused growth retardation, apoptosis, and liver damage in largemouth bass.

Effects of fishmeal replacement by black soldier fly on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, intestine morphology, intestinal flora and immune response of pearl gentian grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂)

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the influence of partial replacement of fishmeal (FM) by black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) on the growth, distal intestine morphology, intestinal flora, and intestinal immune response of pearl gentian grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂). Four diets were formulated, 0% (0 g kg−1), 10% (50 g kg−1), 20% (100 g kg−1) and 30% (150 g kg−1) fishmeal were replaced with BSF, named as FM, BSF10, BSF20, BSF30, severally. The study found that, with the increasing dietary BSF levels, growth and feed conversion ratio of fish decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Chitinase and trypsin activities were significantly increased with increasing dietary BSF levels (P < 0.05). With the increasing dietary BSF levels, distal intestinal muscularis thickness and mucosal fold length decreased significantly (P < 0.05), as well as total abundance of intestinal flora. The relative abundance of four phyla and six genera among the top 20 genera were significantly affected by dietary BSF levels (P < 0.05). With the increasing dietary BSF levels, the mRNA levels of nf-κbem1, r-cel and il-10 up-regulated significantly (P < 0.05). For fish fed BSF30 diet, the mRNA levels of myd88 and tlr22 were significantly higher than fish fed FM diet (P < 0.05). In conclusion, replacement fishmeal with BSF increased activity of digestive enzymes, but negatively affected growth performance and intestinal health of pearl gentian grouper.

Effects of fish meal replacement with protein mixtures on growth, gonad development and amino acid composition of pre-adult red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) (Decapoda, Cambaridae)

Abstract A 100-day growth trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary protein mixtures (PM) adding proportion on both sexes of the red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852). Five diets were prepared by replacing 0%, 16.67%, 33.33%, 50%, and 66.67% of fish meal (FM) protein with protein mixtures in feed (designed Diet 1, Diet 2, Diet 3, Diet 4 and Diet 5). The results showed that growth performance presented a decreasing trend with an increase in dietary protein mixture levels. The GSI of female crayfish and the HSI of male crayfish initially increased and then decreased with increasing dietary protein mixtures. Interestingly, the GSI of males fed Diet 5 was higher than that in other groups (). Diet 2 was the best feed for female gonad development and male muscle quality. Females fed Diet 3 had the highest muscle quality among the groups; males had improved gonad development when fed Diet 5.

Effects of fish meal replacement with low‐gossypol cottonseed meal on the intestinal barrier of juvenile golden pompano ( Trachinotus ovatus )

Effects of fish meal replacement with low‐gossypol cottonseed meal on the intestinal barrier of juvenile golden pompano ( <i>Trachinotus ovatus</i> )

Evaluation of yeast hydrolysate as a substitute to dietary fish meal of| juvenile Jian carp ( Cyprinus carpio var. Jian): Protein synthesis via TOR pathway

This study was performed to evaluate effects of fish meal replacement by yeast hydrolysate (YH) on crude protein via TOR pathway of Jian carp, Cyprinus carpio var. Jian (initial average weight 19.44 ± 0.06 g). Six hundred fish were assigned into five groups and fed with five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets replacing fish meal by 0g/kg (G1), 10g/kg (G2), 30g/kg (G3), 50g/kg (G4) and 70g/kg YH (G5). The results showed crude protein of fish in G2 and G3 were significantly higher (p < .05) than in G1. YH significantly increased AST and ALT activities of hepatocytes (p < .05) compared with the control group, but had no effects (p > .05) on AST and ALT contents in conditioned medium of hepatocytes. Furthermore, MyoD, TOR and S6K1 mRNA levels in muscle of G2 and G3 were significantly higher than of G1 (p < .05). Meanwhile, YH significantly increased MyoD, TOR and S6K1 mRNA levels in hepatocytes compared with the control group. In conclusion, 10g/kg and 30g/kg YH increased crude protein content of muscle in fish and increased TOR pathway genes expression levels in muscle and hepatocytes.

The effects of fish meal replacement with ultra-micro ground mixed plant proteins (uPP) in practical diet on growth, gut and liver health of common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Plant proteins are widely used for fish meal replacement in aquafeeds, but anti-nutritional factors in plant protein reduce fish growth performance and impair fish health. The present work aimed to study the effects of improving fish meal replacement percentage with ultra-micro ground mixed plant proteins (uPP) on growth, gut and liver health of common carp. Carps were fed with a practical basal diet with partial fish meal replacement by plant proteins or the basal diet supplemented with 2.5 % or 5% uPP for 16-week. Results indicated that uPP addition did not affect growth and survival of common carp at a supplementation level up to 5% (p > 0.05). However, 5% uPP up-regulated the intestinal expression of inflammation related genes (p < 0.05) and reduced HIF-1α expression (p < 0.05). Moreover, dietary 5% uPP increased serum ALT (p = 0.06) and AST level (p < 0.05) and up-regulated liver expressions of inflammation related genes (p < 0.05). The Simpson diversity index of gut microbiota was lower in 5% uPP group compared to control (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Fusobacteria and Cetobacterium was lower (p < 0.05), while Proteobacteria including Shewanella and Citrobacter was higher in the 5% uPP group compared to control (p < 0.05). In contrast, 2.5 % uPP did not increase inflammatory and injury parameters in fish intestine and liver, but rather improved the expression of occludin and defensin in the intestine compared with control (p < 0.05). Moreover, no significant differences were found in gut microbiota between 2.5 % uPP group and control. Together, our study suggests that low-level uPP addition can be adopted to further improve fish meal replacement, while dietary 5% uPP impairs gut and liver health of common carp and negatively affects intestinal microbiota.

Effects of fishmeal replacement with composite mixture of shrimp hydrolysate and plant proteins on growth performance, feed utilization, and target of rapamycin pathway in largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides

An 82 days' feeding trial was conducted to investigate the potentiality of fishmeal replacement with the composite mixture of shrimp hydrolysate and plant proteins in diets for largemouth bass. Triplicate groups of fish were fed the experimental diets with 45 (FM45, the control), 40 (FM40), 35 (FM35), 30 (FM30) and 25% (FM25) fishmeal twice daily. Results showed that the mixture of protein sources can reduce the use of fishmeal to 30% with obvious improvement of growth performance, whereas higher substitution level (FM25 group) inhibited growth slightly compared to the control group. The fishmeal replacement supported significantly higher apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of protein and amino acids compared to the control, which may be partly involved in the activation of amino acid-sensing target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway. Consistently, the replacement of fishmeal elevated the expression of TOR and ribosomal protein S6, but significantly decreased the expression of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E)-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), and this confirmed the activation of TOR pathway induced by the fishmeal replacement in the present study. In summary, appropriate fishmeal replacement with composite mixture of shrimp hydrolysate and plant proteins can activate the TOR pathway and improve the growth performance of largemouth bass, and fishmeal content in the diets for largemouth bass can be reduced to 30% with the compound proteins.

Can black soldier fly Desmodium intortum larvae-based diets enhance the performance of Cobb500 broiler chickens and smallholder farmers' profit in Kenya?

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of broiler chickens fed on 3 black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) (Hermetia illucens) and Greenleaf desmodium (Desmodium intortum)-based meals. We evaluated growth performance, carcass quality, and profitability under various commercial pathways (doorstep, retail, whole, and assorted). Desmodium and BSFL powders were formulated into 3 ratios: T1 25:75, T2 50:50, and T3 75:25. A commercial feed was used as a control. One hundred and twenty mixed-sex 1-day-old broiler chicks (Cobb) were reared in pens for 42 d in a completely randomized design. The chickens were weighed weekly to monitor their growth rate. After the 42-day rearing period, they were slaughtered for carcass quality evaluation and recording of the weights of internal organs. During the initial growth phase (7–21 d), significant effects of fish meal replacement were found on the chickens' average weight (P < 0.001), average daily body weight gain (P < 0.001), average daily feed intake (P < 0.001), and feed conversion ratio (P < 0.001). However, during the second phase (21–42 d), no significant effect of the replacement was detected except on average daily feed intake (P = 0.003). No significant differences were found in terms of the relative weights of internal organs. It was found that Desmodium-BSFL-based feeds were more profitable than the control feed, and the assorted and retail modes of sale generated more revenue compared to when the chickens were sold at doorstep and on whole-chicken basis. The return on investment was higher for a push-pull adopter compared to a non-adopter. The study found that a BSFL-Desmodium mixture can be a valuable replacement for the protein component in conventional feed and would provide a new impetus for the adoption of push-pull.

Effects of fish meal replacement by low‐gossypol cottonseed meal on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, intestine histology and inflammatory gene expression of silver sillago ( Sillago sihama Forsskál) (1775)

Effects of fish meal replacement by low‐gossypol cottonseed meal on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, intestine histology and inflammatory gene expression of silver sillago ( <i>Sillago sihama</i> Forsskál) (1775)

Effects of fish meal replacement by meat and bone meal supplemented with garlic (Allium sativum) powder on biological indices, feeding, muscle composition, fatty acid and amino acid profiles of whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Shortage of fish meal (FM) resources in the marine environment, high price and high demand for this ingredient led researchers to seek for alternative protein resources such as meat and bone meal (MBM). The effects of adding MBM and garlic powder to the shrimp diet on growth performance, muscle composition, amino acid and fatty acid profiles of whiteleg shrimp (5.00 ± 0.23 g) were investigated. A total of six dietary treatments were formulated: 0%MBM (control without garlic powder), 25%MBM and 50%MBM (treatments without garlic powder; WG treatments); 0%MBM+G (control with garlic powder), 25%MBM+G and 50%MBM+G (treatments with garlic powder; G treatments). Our results indicated that increase MBM level in the diets (up to 50%MBM) impaired growth performance, muscle composition, fatty acid and amino acid profiles in the muscle of shrimp. Interestingly, garlic supplementation improved the aforementioned factors so that shrimp fed 50%MBM+G diet had no significant difference when compared to 0%MBM group. The current results indicated that garlic could increase levels of FM replacement by increasing feed intake, improving protein and amino acid utilization. Overall, 50%MBM+G diet is recommended for use in shrimp production.

Humoral and mucosal immune responses in meagre (Argyrosomus regius) juveniles fed diets with varying inclusion levels of carob seed germ meal

Many studies have assessed the effects of incorporation of plant feedstuffs in fish diets on growth performance, whereas few studies have addressed the effects of fish meal replacement by plant protein sources on fish immune parameters. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects on immune response of different inclusion levels of carob seed germ meal (CSGM) as partial replacement for fish meal in diets for meagre (Argyrosomus regius) juveniles. Fish were fed four experimental diets with increased CSGM inclusion levels [0% (control), 7.5% (CSGM7.5), 15% (CSGM15) and 22.5% (CSGM22.5)]. After 1, 2, and 8 weeks of feeding fish were sampled to determine haematological profile and several humoral parameters in plasma and intestine. Results showed that dietary inclusion of CSGM did not negatively affect the immune parameters of meagre. In addition, total numbers of red and white blood cells, as well as thrombocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils counts were not affected by dietary treatments. All parameters evaluated in plasma were unaffected by dietary CSGM inclusion after 1 and 2 weeks of feeding, with only the haemolytic complement activity showing an increase in fish fed diets with CSGM after 1 week and in fish fed CSGM22.5 diet after 2 weeks. Regarding the innate immune parameters analysed in the intestine, it could be highlighted the increase in alkaline phosphatase and antiprotease activities in fish fed the diet with the higher inclusion of CSGM at 8 weeks. Overall, results suggest that high dietary CSGM inclusion do not compromise immune status or induce an inflammatory response in meagre juveniles.

Effects of fishmeal replacement with cottonseed meal protein hydrolysate on growth, digestion and intestinal histology of juvenile Chinese soft-shelled turtle,Pelodiscus sinensis

Effects of fishmeal replacement with cottonseed meal protein hydrolysate on growth, digestion and intestinal histology of juvenile Chinese soft-shelled turtle,<i>Pelodiscus sinensis</i>