Inclusion Of Soybean Meal Research Articles

Comparison of dietary inclusion of commercial and fermented soybean meal on oxidative status and non-specific immune responses in white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

This study compared the effects of partial replacement of fish meal (FM) protein with commercial soybean meal (SBM) or Lactobacillus spp. fermented SBM (FSBM) on the oxidative status and non-specific immune responses in white shrimps, Litopenaeus vannamei. A FM-based diet was used as the control. To prepare the two experimental diets, 25% of the FM protein was replaced with SBM and FSBM. Three experimental diets were fed to three groups of shrimps (initial wt: 0.63 ± 0.01 g) in a recirculating rearing system for 12 weeks. The SBM-diet group had the highest hepatopancreatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance value, followed by the FSBM-diet group, and the lowest in control-diet group. The activity of hepatopancreatic superoxide dismutase was highest in the control-diet group, followed by the FSBM-diet group, and was lowest in the SBM-diet group. The total haemocyte, hyaline cell, semigranular cell, and granular cell counts were highest in the control-diet group, followed by the FSBM-diet group and the SBM-fed group. Haemolymph phenoloxidase activity was higher in the control-diet and FSBM-diet groups than in the SBM-diet group. The results indicate that replacing 25% FM protein with SBM significantly reduces non-specific immune responses and induces oxidative stress in white shrimps and that FSBM prepared using Lactobacillus spp. can reduce these negative effects.

Growth performance of grasscutters fed diets containing <i>Moringa oleifera</i> leaf meal and/or soybean meal

A total of ninety six-week old grasscutters were used in a study conducted to investigate the growth performance of grasscutters fed diets containing Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) and/or soybean meal (SBM). The ninety (90) grasscutters were randomly assigned to three experimental groups consisting of thirty (30) grasscutters each. The grasscutters were randomly assigned each to three experimental diets designated as follows: 15% MOLM, 15% SBM, and 10% MOLM + 10% SBM. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Data were collected on growth performance during the period of the study which lasted for ten weeks including two weeks of acclimatization period. Results showed that grasscutters fed diet containing 10% MOLM+10% SBM had significantly (p < 0.05) higher performance indices than grasscutters on other treatment diets, except for feed conversion ratio, where grasscutters fed diet 1 (15% MOLM,) had the least FCR than grasscutters in other groups. Based on the results, the inclusion of MOLM and SBM at 10% levels each resulted in improved performance, and thus considered adequate for growth of grasscutters. Key words : micro-livestock, captive, productivity, grasscutters, feeding

Substitution of fish meal by soybean meal in diets for juvenile marbled spinefoot, Siganus rivulatus

ABSTRACTThe present work was performed to assess whether soybean meal (SBM) could replace fish meal (FM) as a source of dietary protein in diets of the marine herbivore Siganus rivulatus. Five iso-nitrogenous (40% protein) and iso-energetic (14 MJ/Kg) diets were prepared with SBM replacing fish meal at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% dietary protein. A 60-day feeding trial was conducted with 240 juvenile S. rivulatus (initial body mass 1.74 ± 0.03 g). Survival, growth, feed, and protein efficiency and hematological parameters were assessed. Growth correlated negatively with increase in dietary SBM. All production parameters measured were negatively affected at all levels of SBM inclusion. There were no effects on total or differential blood counts, hemoglobin, or plasma protein, but hematocrit values were negatively correlated with SBM addition. Results suggest that total replacement of FM by SBM without adding other supplements is not recommended, even for an herbivorous marine fish such as S. rivulatus.

Performance of Clarias gariepinus Fed Dried Brewer's Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Slurry in Replacement for Soybean Meal.

Following disparity of earlier results, this study tested the performance of African catfish Clarias gariepinus fed dried brewer's yeast slurry meal (DBYM) based diets. Fingerlings of C. gariepinus with pooled mean initial weight of 1.58 ± 0.01 g were stocked in hapas (1 m × 1 m × 1 m) immersed in an earthen pond at a density of 15 fish per cage. Five diets with increasing substitution of soybean meal with 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of dried brewer's yeast and a control without dried brewer's yeast (0% substitution) were evaluated for 8 weeks. Palatability of diets reduced with increasing levels of DBYM. Growth and utilization parameters such as weight gain, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, and specific growth rate differed significantly (p < 0.05) among treated groups. Specific growth rate decreased with increasing substitution while the best feed conversion ratio was obtained in the diet devoid of DBYM. Protein efficiency and utilization decreased with increasing levels of DBYM. Body composition was also affected by inclusion of DBYM with significant differences (p < 0.05) being observed across the diets. The trend in body composition follows the utilization of the diets. We conclude that the optimal range of inclusion and substitution of soybean meal with DBYM in C. gariepinus feed is between 1% and 14% of dry matter.

Effect of anti-nutritional factors of oilseed co-products on feed intake of pigs and poultry

Soybean, canola, camelina and flaxseed co-products from the oilseed industry are used to formulate pig and poultry feeds. However, these co-products contain various anti-nutritional factors (ANF). The major ANF in soybean and potentially co-products is trypsin inhibitor (TI). Pigs and poultry can tolerate TI levels up to 3.00 and 4.00TIU/mg in the diet, respectively. Solvent-extracted soybean meal has low TI activity (<14.0TIU/mg); most TI is destroyed during the desolventising-toasting stage of oil extraction. Thus, inclusion of soybean meal in diets for pigs and poultry does not affect feed intake and nutrient utilization. However, soybean or expeller-pressed soybean co-products can contain considerable amounts of TI (>50.0TIU/mg), implying that the raw soybean or expeller-pressed soybean co-products should be sufficiently heated to inactivate most of the TI before feeding. The major ANF in canola co-products are glucosinolates. Poultry and pigs can tolerate up to 2.00 and 2.50μmol/g of glucosinolates in their diets. Total glucosinolate content in most canola co-products is moderate (<10μmol/g). Thus, while co-products from modern canola cultivars do not affect feed intake, dietary inclusion of original canola co-products (with total glucosinolate content of ≤35μmol/g) reduced feed intake of grow-finish pigs by 80g/day and of broiler chickens in the starter phase by 4g/day. Glucosinolates and TI are the major ANF in camelina co-products. In camelina co-products, total glucosinolate content ranged from 34.4 to 36.3μmol/g and TI activity from 12 to 28TIU/mg. Camelina co-products are not solvent-extracted and thus have high TI activity. Dietary inclusion of camelina co-products reduced feed intake of broiler chickens in the starter phase by 3.4g/day. Cyanogenic glucosides are the major ANF in flaxseed co-products. Flaxseed meal contained 127mg cyanogenic glucoside/kg. Dietary inclusion of flaxseed meal reduced feed intake by poultry by 3.4g/day. In conclusion, soybean, canola, camelina and flaxseed co-products contain various ANF that reduce feed intake by pigs and poultry.

Supplementations of poultry by-product meal and selenium yeast increase fish meal replacement by soybean meal in golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus ) diet

The effects of poultry by-product meal (PBM) and selenium yeast (Se-yeast) supplementations on fish meal replacement by soybean meal (SBM) in the diet of golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) were examined. In trial I, a 2 × 3 layout including two PBM levels (100 and 170 g kg−1) and three levels of fish meal replacement (0, 40 or 60%) was used. At 100 g kg−1 PBM, fish fed the basal diet exhibited the highest weight gain (WG) and nitrogen retention efficiency (NRE) and the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR). At 170 g kg−1 PBM, no significant differences were found in WG and NRE between fish fed the basal diet and diet with 40% of fish meal replaced by SBM. In trial II, the basal diet containing 170 g kg−1 PBM (trial I) served as a reference. A 2 × 2 layout included two levels of fish meal replacement (40 or 60%) and two levels of Se-yeast addition (0 and 1 g kg−1). No significant differences were found in WG, feed intake, FCR and NRE between fish fed the reference diet and diet with 40 or 60% fish meal replacement plus 1 g kg−1 Se-yeast addition. This study indicates that supplementations of PBM and Se-yeast can enhance the level of fish meal replacement by SBM in golden pompano diet. Dietary fish meal level can be reduced to 140 g kg−1 by optimizing inclusion of SBM, PBM and Se-yeast.

247 Effect of feeding protease at two soybean meal inclusion rates for nursery pigs

247 Effect of feeding protease at two soybean meal inclusion rates for nursery pigs

Effects of dietary inclusion of fermented soybean meal on growth, body composition, antioxidant enzyme activity and disease resistance of rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli)

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal (FM) with fermented soybean meal (FSM) on growth performance, body composition, antioxidant enzyme activity and disease resistance of rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli, at the juvenile and grower stages. Five isonitrogenous (51%) and isocaloric (21.0MJkg−1) diets were formulated to contain 0, 8, 16, 24 and 32% FSM, replacing approximately 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% of the FM protein (designated as FSM0, FSM8, FSM16, FSM24 and FSM32, respectively). Each experimental diet was fed to triplicate groups of juvenile (1.2±0.04g; EXP I) and grower (148.2±2.9g; EXP II) rockfish to apparent satiation twice daily for 8weeks. Juvenile rockfish fed the FSM32 diet showed significantly lower weight gain (WG) than those fed the FSM0, FSM8 and FSM16 diets. Feed efficiency (FE) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) of fish fed the FSM16, FSM24 and FSM32 diets were significantly lower than those of fish fed the FSM0 and FSM8 diets. Fish fed the FSM24 diet exhibited significantly lower daily feed intake (DFI) than fish fed the FSM0 and FSM8 diets. However, growth performance and feed utilization efficiency of grower rockfish did not show any definite pattern of change due to feed composition. The viscerosomatic index (VSI) of juvenile fish fed the FSM32 diet was significantly lower than those of all the other experimental groups. Replacement of FM with FSM, up to 40%, had no significant effect on whole body and muscle proximate and amino acid compositions of juvenile and grower rockfish, respectively. The plasma antioxidant enzyme activity of grower fish was significantly enhanced by the dietary inclusion of the FSM compared with the control group. Survival of juvenile fish after intraperitoneal injection of Edwardsiella tarda was not affected by dietary treatment. These results indicate that FSM can be used successfully as a replacement for FM at levels up to 10% in diets for juvenile rockfish while at least 40% of dietary FM protein can be replaced by FSM without causing any adverse effect on grower rockfish performance. Statement of relevance1.There have been a few studies examining the efficiency of fermented soybean meal (FSM) as a possible fish meal substitute in fish feed. However, to the best of our knowledge no studies have been reported on the use of FSM as a substitute for fish meal in diet for rockfish.2.The results of this study indicate that FSM can be used successfully as a replacement for FM at levels up to 20% in diets for juvenile rockfish while at least 40% of dietary FM protein can be replaced by FSM without causing any adverse effect on grower rockfish performance.3.As feed cost accounts for almost half of the fish production costs, the results of our experiments can be useful for formulation of more cost-effective practical diets for juvenile and grower rockfish.

Alternative ingredients for providing adequate methionine in organic poultry diets in the United States with limited synthetic amino acid use

Synthetic methionine use is currently limited to 1 kg and 1.5 kg per metric tonne (2, 2, and 3 lbs per short ton) of feed for organic laying hens, broilers, and turkeys and other poultry, respectively, in the United States of America. All other synthetic amino acids (AA) have been banned from use in organic poultry diets in this country. It is challenging to provide sufficient methionine (Met) to maintain bird growth and productive performance up to current industry standards given the recent restrictions that have been placed on synthetic Met. Without synthetic AA, Met requirements can alternatively be obtained for organic poultry by dramatically increasing dietary crude protein (CP) e.g. via additional inclusion of expeller-pressed soybean meal to the diets. However, this strategy leads to both major increases in feed costs and environmental concerns due to increasing nitrogen excretion, with concurrent rises in ammonia emissions, and corresponding welfare issues due to ammonia and litter quality. This review aims to examine feed ingredients that may contribute to a solution to this issue. Otherwise, further negative impacts may soon be felt from the current limitation on synthetic Met or a potential ban on its entire use in the future.

Prebiotic Supplementation has Only Minimal Effects on Growth Efficiency, Intestinal Health and Disease Resistance of Westslope Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi Fed 30% Soybean Meal.

Prebiotics have successfully been used to prevent infectious diseases in aquaculture and there is an increasing amount of literature that suggests that these products can also improve alternative protein utilization and digestion. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine whether prebiotic supplementation increased the growth efficiency, intestinal health, and disease resistance of cutthroat trout fed a high level of dietary soybean meal. To achieve this objective, juvenile Westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) were fed a practical type formulation with 0 or 30% dietary soybean meal with or without the commercial prebiotic (Grobiotic-A) prior to experimental exposure to Flavobacterium psychrophilum. Juvenile Westslope cutthroat trout (initial weight 7.8 g/fish ±SD of 0.5 g) were stocked at 30 fish/tank in 75 L tanks with six replicate tanks per diet and fed their respective diets for 20 weeks. Final weights of Westslope cutthroat trout were affected by neither dietary soybean meal inclusion level (P = 0.9582) nor prebiotic inclusion (P = 0.9348) and no interaction was observed (P = 0.1242). Feed conversion ratios were similarly not affected by soybean meal level (P = 0.4895), prebiotic inclusion (P = 0.3258) or their interaction (P = 0.1478). Histological examination of the distal intestine of Westslope cutthroat trout demonstrated increases in inflammation due to both increased soybean meal inclusion level (P = 0.0038) and prebiotic inclusion (P = 0.0327) without significant interaction (P = 0.3370). Feeding dietary soybean meal level at 30% increased mortality of F. psychrophilum cohabitation challenged Westslope cutthroat trout (P = 0.0345) while prebiotic inclusion tended to decrease mortality (P = 0.0671). These results indicate that subclinical alterations in intestinal inflammation levels due to high dietary inclusion levels of soybean meal could predispose Westslope cutthroat trout to F. psychrophilum infection.

Ontogeny of the Digestive System of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) and Effects of Soybean Meal from Start-Feeding

Despite a long history of rearing Atlantic salmon in hatcheries in Norway, knowledge of molecular and physiological aspects of juvenile development is still limited. To facilitate introduction of alternative feed ingredients and feed additives during early phases, increased knowledge regarding the ontogeny of the digestive apparatus in salmon is needed. In this study, we characterized the development of the gastrointestinal tract and accessory digestive organs for five months following hatch by using histological, biochemical and molecular methods. Furthermore, the effects of a diet containing 16.7% soybean meal (SBM) introduced at start-feeding were investigated, as compared to a fishmeal based control diet. Salmon yolk sac alevins and fry were sampled at 18 time points from hatch until 144 days post hatch (dph). Histomorphological development was investigated at 7, 27, 46, 54 and 144 dph. Ontogenetic expression patterns of genes encoding key digestive enzymes, nutrient transporters, gastrointestinal peptide hormones and T-cell markers were analyzed from 13 time points by qPCR. At 7 dph, the digestive system of Atlantic salmon alevins was morphologically distinct with an early stomach, liver, pancreas, anterior and posterior intestine. About one week before the yolk sac was internalized and exogenous feeding was started, gastric glands and developing pyloric caeca were observed, which coincided with an increase in gene expression of gastric and pancreatic enzymes and nutrient transporters. Thus, the observed organs seemed ready to digest external feed well before the yolk sac was absorbed into the abdominal cavity. In contrast to post-smolt Atlantic salmon, inclusion of SBM did not induce intestinal inflammation in the juveniles. This indicates that SBM can be used in compound feeds for salmon fry from start-feeding to at least 144 dph and/or 4-5 g body weight.

Improvement of fish meal replacements by soybean meal and soy protein concentrate in golden pompano diet through γ-ray irradiation

A 5-week feeding trial was conducted to examine the effect of γ-ray irradiation on the inclusion of soybean meal (SBM) and soy protein concentrate (SPC) in diets of juvenile golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus). One diet containing 320 g kg−1 fish meal served as a reference (C), and another four diets were formulated with 75% of the fish meal replaced by SBM (SM), SPC (SC), SBM irradiated with γ-ray at 30 kGy (SM30) or SPC irradiated with γ-ray at 30 kGy (SC30). The weight gain was higher in fish fed diets SM30 and SC30 than in fish fed diets SM and SC, respectively, whereas fish consumed more diet SM30 than diets SM, SC or SC30. No significant differences were found in feed conversion ratio, nitrogen retention efficiency (NRE), phosphorus retention efficiency (PRE), condition factor, hepatosomatic index (HSI), body composition, waste outputs of nitrogen (NWO) and phosphorus (PWO) either between fish fed diets SM and SM30 or between fish fed diets SC and SC30. The weight gain and PWO were higher, but the PRE and the body phosphorus content were lower in fish fed diet C than those in fish fed diets SM30 or SC30. No significant differences were found in the NRE, condition factor, HSI and body composition (i.e. moisture, crude protein, crude lipid and ash) between fish fed diets C and SM30 or between fish fed diets C and SC30. Macromolecular proteins in SBM and SPC were degraded, whereas the contents of peptides with molecular weight <6.5 kDa were increased by γ-ray irradiation. This study reveals that γ-ray irradiation can improve the performance of SBM and SPC as a fish meal substitute in the golden pompano diet.

Effects of dietary inclusions of oilseed meals on physical characteristics and feed intake of diets for the Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

The present study investigated the effects of the inclusion of three oilseed by-products (soybean, copra and palm kernel meals) on some physical characteristics of pelletized feeds as well as on voluntary feed intake and faecal matter production by the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. The dietary inclusion of soybean meal resulted in a significantly higher feed bulk density relative to the fishmeal control diet. The inclusions of copra and palm kernel meals, however, resulted in lower feed bulk densities. Sinking rates, water stabilities and nutrient retention efficiencies of feed pellets were directly related to feed bulk densities. The soybean meal diet had the fastest sinking velocities, greatest water stability and highest nutrient retention rates. The dietary inclusion of soybean meal, however, significantly impaired feed intake compared to the other three diets. Mean daily feed intakes of the control, palm kernel meal and copra meal diets corresponded to 28.88, 27.01 and 28.31g during the experimental period and varied significantly from the mean daily intake of the soybean meal diet which corresponded to 20.01g. Faecal matter production (g dry mass kg−1 ingested feed) was significantly higher in the tilapia groups fed the copra and palm kernel meals. The results obtained from this study show that 30% inclusions of unrefined forms of copra and palm kernel meal in Nile tilapia diets is possible, without adversely affecting feed intake or pellet nutrient losses prior to ingestion.

The suitable dose of gamma irradiation on soybean meal as a fish meal substitute in diets for golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus)

A 5-week feeding trial was conducted to assess the effect of gamma ray irradiation treatment on soybean meal as a fish meal substitute in diets for golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus). A diet containing 32% fish meal served as a reference (C), and 75% of the fish meal was replaced by soybean meal that either received no gamma ray irradiation (R0) or was irradiated with gamma ray at a dose of 5 (R5), 10 (R10), 15 (R15), 30 (R30) or 60 (R60) kGy respectively. All the diets were formulated to contain 46% crude protein and 6.5% crude lipid. The weight gain was higher in fish fed diets R5, R10, R15 and R30 than in fish fed diet R0. The feed intake was higher in fish fed diets R15, R30 and R60 than in fish fed diets R0, R5 and R10. No significant differences were found in feed conversion ratio, nitrogen retention efficiency, condition factor, hepatosomatic index, body composition, waste outputs of nitrogen and phosphorus between fish fed the diets with non-irradiated soybean meal or irradiated soybean meal as the fish meal substitute. Proteins with heavy molecular weight in soybean meal were degraded, whereas the contents of proteins with light molecular weight or peptides increased with the increase in the irradiation dose. This study reveals that gamma ray irradiation at a dose of 5 to 15 kGy can significantly improve the level of soybean meal inclusion as a fish meal substitute in diets for golden pompano.

Casein supplementation does not affect true phosphorus digestibility and endogenous phosphorus loss associated with soybean meal for broiler chickens determined by the regression method

Liu, J. B., Chen, D. W. and Adeola, O. 2014. Casein supplementation does not affect true phosphorus digestibility and endogenous phosphorus loss associated with soybean meal for broiler chickens determined by the regression method. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 661–668. Cornstarch-based semi-purified diets impair growth performance of birds when using the regression method to estimate phosphorus (P) digestibility in assay feed ingredient. Therefore, casein is usually supplemented in the basal diet to improve dietary amino acid profile. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of dietary casein supplementation on regression-derived estimates of true phosphorus digestibility and endogenous phosphorus loss (EPL) associated with soybean meal (SBM) in broiler chickens. Four hundred thirty-two male Ross 708 broilers were allocated to nine diets in a 3×3 factorial arrangement of three diet types (with casein at moderate dietary P, without casein at moderate dietary P, or without casein at low dietary P) and three SBM levels (low, medium, or high). There were six birds per cage and eight replicate cages per diet in a randomized complete block design. The birds were fed experimental diets from day 12 to 20 post-hatching. Chromic oxide was used as an indigestible marker to calculate P digestibility and retention. The results indicated that body weight gain and feed efficiency linearly increased (P&lt;0.01) and dry matter retention was linearly decreased (P&lt;0.01) with the addition of SBM, regardless of diet type. The apparent prececal P digestibility and excreta P retention were increased by casein supplementation (P&lt;0.01). The prececal and excreta P output linearly increased (P&lt;0.01) with graded inclusion of SBM in each diet type. Regression of P output against dietary P intake showed that the type of diets (with casein at moderate dietary P, without casein at moderate dietary P, or without casein at low dietary P) had no effect on true prececal P digestibility and excreta P retention, or EPL associated with SBM for broiler chickens (P&gt;0.05). In conclusion, the results of the current study indicate that adding casein, which is high in P digestibility, to cornstarch-based basal diets does not affect the estimation of EPL or true P digestibility and retention associated with SBM for broiler chickens using the regression method.

Tissue composition, blood biochemistry and histology of digestive organs in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis ) juveniles fed diets containing different plant protein ingredients

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of diets with different plant protein ingredients on proximate composition, tissue metabolites and tissue fatty acid composition, as well as hepatic and intestinal histological modifications in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis). Fish (21.5 ± 2.8 g body weight) were fed six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets during 11 weeks. A control diet containing fish meal as the main protein source was compared with five experimental diets replacing 30% fish meal protein by different plant protein sources: soybean meal (SBM), soybean protein concentrate (SPC), soybean protein isolate (SPI), wheat gluten meal (WGM) or pea protein concentrate (PPC). The inclusion of different plant protein did not significantly affect growth and proximate composition of fish. The hepatosomatic index was not significantly different to the control group; however, utilization of WGM significantly increased hepatocyte size. Plasma protein values and muscle triglycerides were influenced by the inclusion of SBM and WGM in the diets respectively. Feeding fish on SBM, WGM and PPC diets significantly enhanced n-6 fatty acid levels in muscle, particularly linoleic acid. None of the plant protein ingredient used in the diets decreased arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic as well as docosahexaenoic acid values in liver and muscle. Overall, histological studies did not reveal the existence of any intestinal alterations induced by the inclusion of different plant proteins. Despite moderate changes produced by SBM, SPC and WGM, inclusion of dietary plant protein ingredients has no major impact on growth, tissue and blood biochemistry, fatty acid profile and gut integrity of Senegalese sole juveniles.

Preliminary Investigation of Dietary Soy Sensitivity in Shovelnose Sturgeon

Sturgeon culture has developed greatly since the 1980s. Cultured sturgeon are often fed a commercial salmonid feed high in fish meal (FM). However, economic and sustainability concerns have put pressure on aquafeed manufactures to incorporate alternative proteins such as soybean meal (SBM). This experiment investigates dietary SBM sensitivity in shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorhynchus). Diets were formulated to contain 0%, 17%, 34%, and 51% SBM and fed for 8 weeks. Weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency (FE), body and liver composition, and intestinal histology were determined. Although sturgeon growth rates were low for all diets, weight gain in fish fed the diet with 17% SBM averaged 55.6% of sturgeon fed the fish meal-based control diets. Statistically lower negative growth and FE (P < 0.05) were observed when SBM was included at 51% of the diet. However, whole-body proximate composition and hepatic lipid and glycogen content were not altered by dietary SBM inclusion level, and histological evaluation of the distal intestine was inconclusive. These results provide preliminary insight into the effect of diets containing high levels of SBM on growth and health of Scaphirhynchus sturgeon.

Effects of diet supplementation of soya-saponins, isoflavones and phytosterols on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar, L) fry fed from start-feeding

A 14-week trial was conducted to investigate the effects of antinutritional factors (ANFs) commonly present in soybean ingredients, singly and in combination, on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fed from start-feeding. The experimental diets consisted of a negative control fish meal diet (FM), and a positive control diet with 167 g kg−1 soybean meal inclusion (SBM) and four diets based on the FM diet supplemented with 2 g kg−1 soya-saponins (SAP), 1.5 g kg−1 isoflavones (IFL), 0.3 g kg−1 phytosterols (PHS) or a mixture of these (MIX). Fish fed the SAP diet showed significantly higher growth performance than those fed FM, while the IFL treatment significantly decreased growth performance of salmon fry. Fish fed the IFL diet had significantly lower maltase activity and higher trypsin activity in proximal intestine than fish fed the FM diet. Histological differences were observed in the liver of fish fed the IFL diet, characterized by reduced size of the hepatocytes. Fish fed the PHS and IFL diets showed the highest frequencies of skeletal deformities among the six treatments. In conclusion, the results indicate that purified isoflavones may negatively affect growth performance, intestinal function, liver metabolism and bone formation of salmon fry.

Efficacy and tolerance of yeast cell wall as an immunostimulant in the diet of Japanese seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus)

Abstract The effects of dietary yeast cell wall (YCW) on the growth, immune response and cumulative survival rate after Aeromonas veronii challenge were investigated in Japanese seabass, Lateolabrax japonicus. Six high soybean meal (SBM) inclusion diets were prepared with YCW levels at 0 (Y0), 250 (Y1), 500 (Y2), 1000 (Y3), 2000 (Y4), and 20,000 (Y5) mg/kg, respectively. The highest YCW level (20,000 mg/kg) was designed as the 10 fold of the highest recommended level (2000 mg/kg) for tolerance evaluation. In addition, a positive control (FM) with higher fishmeal level and a negative control (Fla) with 4 mg/kg flavomycin based on Y0 diet were designed. Each diet was fed to six replicates of 30 Japanese seabass (18.3 ± 0.01 g) for 72 days. The growth performance of Y0 group was lower than that of FM group. Optimal levels (1000–2000 mg/kg) of baker's YCW improved the growth performance and intestinal mucus development of Japanese seabass, while 500 mg/kg YCW enhanced immune response and cumulative survival after challenged with A. veronii. Flavomycin inclusion negatively affected the growth and immune response of fish. The present study proved that the highest recommended dose of YCW was 2000 mg/kg, and 10 fold of safety margin was obtained.

Effects of dietary genistein administration on growth, survival and sex determination in southern flounder,Paralichthys lethostigma

The inclusion of soybean meal and soy concentrates in finfish feeds may introduce endocrine disrupting compounds in the form of phytoestrogens. Genistein, which may dually act as an oestrogen receptor agonist/antagonist, has been shown to elicit both masculinizing and feminizing effects in several teleost species. The objective of this investigation was to examine the effects of dietary genistein administration on reproductive development, growth and survival in southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma). Southern flounder received one of three experimental diets which contained varying concentrations of genistein (control – 0, low dose –100 and high dose –1000 mg genistein kg−1 feed) from 84 to 153 days post hatch (DPH). Fish remained in culture until 285 DPH at which time sex ratios were determined. Growth and survival were evaluated at 153 and 285 DPH. Greater numbers of female fish resulted from the low and high dose genistein treatments (98 ± 2% and 78 ± 12% respectively), as compared to the control group (21 ± 10%). Reduced growth at 153 DPH and poor survival (28%) at 285 DPH were also observed for the high dose genistein treatment. Collectively, these results demonstrate the feminizing effects of genistein in southern flounder, but reduced growth and survival with high dietary administration.