Substitution Of Fish Meal Research Articles

Effects of substituting fish meal with Chlorella meal on growth performance, whole-body composition, pigmentation, and physiological health of marbled eel (Anguilla marmorata)

Chlorella meal is considered a promising alternative to fish meal in aquafeeds, but the effects of incorporating Chlorella meal as a feed ingredient on the growth and quality of eel have not been explored. The effects of partially substituting fish meal (0 %, 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, and 20 %) with Chlorella meal on the growth performance, whole-body composition, pigmentation, and physiological health of marbled eel (Anguilla marmorata) were evaluated in this study. The results revealed that dietary inclusion of Chlorella meal significantly increased the final body weight (FBW), weight gain rate (WGR), and specific growth rate (SGR), but it significantly decreased the feed conversion rate (FCR), with these parameters exhibiting linear trends (P < 0.05). The whole-body protein and fat contents were significantly higher in all groups fed with diets containing Chlorella meal compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, the dorsal and abdominal skin of marbled eel exhibited an orange-yellow color, and the color intensity increased with increasing levels of dietary Chlorella meal. The color change corresponded to increased values of a* (redness), b* (yellowness), and lutein content in the fish skin (P < 0.05). The physiological health of marbled eel also improved in the groups where Chlorella meal was included. The optimal replacement rate was approximately 10 % (9 % Chlorella meal supplementation), because the whole-body protein content and most physiological health parameters were highest under this condition, and the growth performance did not show a significant increase when the fish meal replacement rate exceeded 10 % (P > 0.05). These findings indicate the potential of Chlorella meal as a promising alternative to fish meal in feed formulations, offering benefits in enhancing growth performance and quality of marbled eel.

Dietary Tenebrio molitor larvae meal effects on cellular stress responses, antioxidant statusand intermediate metabolism of Oncorhynchus mykiss.

In the context of evaluating the impact of environmentally friendly and sustainably produced alternative protein sources in fish feed, the present study's aim was to examine the overall physiological stress response in one of the main fish species of European freshwater aquaculture, Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout), following the partial substitution of fish meal (FM) with a Tenebrio molitor (TM) (yellow mealworm) full-fat meal. In total, 222 rainbow trout individuals (115.2 ± 14.2 g) were allocated randomly into six tanks, three per dietary treatment, and were fed a formulated diet containing 60% yellow mealworm (TM60) compared to a control diet without insect meal (TM0). Both diets contained equal amounts of crude protein, dry matter and, lipid content, while the FM in TM60 was 100 g kg-1 corresponding to the one seventh of the TM0. Heat shock response (HSR), MAPK signalling, cell death pathways (apoptosis and autophagy), antioxidant defence mechanisms, and intermediate metabolism were evaluated. In general, HSR and MAPK signalling were activated in response to the inclusion of T. molitor. Moreover, triggering of apoptotic and autophagic processes and the onset of antioxidant defence mechanisms underlined the existence of physiological stress. Despite the apparent dietary-induced stress, rainbow trout in the present study exhibited no mortality and no significant effects regarding growth performance parameters. Specifically, TM60 dietary inclusion resulted in no changes in final body weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate. However, feed intakedepicted a statistically significant decrease in TM60 fish compared to TM0 individuals. Nevertheless, nutrient stress should be considered a limiting factor regarding the utilization of T. molitor in O. mykiss diet due to the associated risks for health and welfare.

Fish Meal Substitution Effects with the Combined Animal Proteins in the Feeds of Olive Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) on Growth Performance, Feed Availability, and Disease Resistance against Streptococcus iniae.

This study aims to reveal the substitution impact of fish meal (FM) with the combined meat meal and chicken by-product meal (CMC) in the olive flounder (P. olivaceus) feeds on growth and feed availability. Seven experimental feeds were formulated. The control (CMC0) diet included 65% FM. In the CMC0 diet, the various (10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%) levels of FM were replaced with CMC, named as the CMC10, CMC20, CMC40, CMC60, CMC80, and CMC100 diets, respectively. The total number of 525 juvenile fish (9.2 ± 0.01 g; mean ± SD) was placed into 21 50-L flow-through tanks (25 juveniles/tank) with three replicates. Fish were hand-fed to apparent satiation for 8 weeks. After the 8-week feeding experiment, olive flounder fed the CMC10 (40.0 ± 0.60 g/fish, 2.99 ± 0.021%/day, and 39.57 ± 0.542 g/fish; mean ± SD), CMC20 (47.3 ± 2.58 g/fish, 3.24 ± 0.082%/day, and 45.16 ± 0.760 g/fish), and CMC40 (40.2 ± 1.17 g/fish, 3.00 ± 0.040%/day, and 39.43 ± 0.930 g/fish) diets attained superior (p < 0.0001 for all) weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), and feed consumption compared to olive flounder fed the CMC0 (35.1 ± 0.96 g/fish, 2.81 ± 0.039%/day, and 33.75 ± 0.544 g/fish), CMC60 (31.7 ± 1.62 g/fish, 2.66 ± 0.068%/day, and 31.60 ± 1.080 g/fish), CMC80 (24.7 ± 0.63 g/fish, 2.33 ± 0.033%/day, and 25.27 ± 0.689 g/fish), and CMC100 (17.8 ± 0.32 g/fish, 1.92 ± 0.021%/day, and 18.99 ± 0.592 g/fish, respectively) diets. Weight gain, SGR, and feed consumption of olive flounder fed the CMC60 diet were comparable to olive flounder fed the CMC0 diet. Feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio of olive flounder fed the CMC60 diet (1.02 ± 0.007 and 1.79 ± 0.034) were comparable to fish fed the CMC0 diet (1.04 ± 0.012 and 1.85 ± 0.021, respectively). None of the plasma and serum measurements, proximate composition, amino acid profiles, or survival of olive flounder after S. iniae infection were influenced by dietary treatments. In conclusion, CMC can substitute FM up to 60% (39% FM protein in the diet) without deteriorating growth performance, feed availability, or the survival of fish after S. iniae infection.

Pelagic fish spared from ocean catch by integrating Black Soldier Fly Larvae in U.S. aquaculture production

The sustainability challenges associated with utilizing forage fish sourced from ocean catch as fish meal and fish oil in the aquaculture industry has increased the demand for alternative feeds. Previous research indicates that Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL; Hermetia illucens) can partially replace fish meal and/or fish oil in the diets of farmed aquaculture species without compromising fish growth or efficiency. The objective of our study was to identify the amount of pelagic fish from ocean catch that could be spared from fish meal and fish oil production by integrating BSFL in the diets of three aquaculture species, Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar), Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and Whiteleg Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in the United States. Annual output for these aquaculture species was collected for 2017–2019. For each specie, we calculated the total metric tons (MT) of spared pelagic fish, by taxa, from fish meal and fish oil production based on total lifetime food intake and dietary replacement rates of fish meal and fish oil by BSFL as established in previous literature. At the highest level of dietary BSFL substitution for fish meal and/or fish oil that did not sacrifice performance of the three aquaculture species, 40,843 MT of pelagic fish could be spared from ocean catch in the U.S. per year. Therefore, integrating BSFL in the diets of aquaculture species could reduce the demand for pelagic fish sourced from ocean catch and positively contribute to the sustainability of aquaculture production.

Effects of the Replacement of Dietary Fishmeal by the Blend of Tenebrio molitor Meal, Chlorella Meal, Clostridium Autoethanogenum Protein, and Cottonseed Protein Concentrate on Growth, Protein Utilization, and Intestinal Health of Gibel Carp (Carassius gibelio, CAS Ⅴ)

The trial was conducted to investigate the effects of the replacement of dietary fishmeal (FM) by the blend of Tenebrio molitor meal (TMM), Chlorella meal (CM), Clostridium autoethanogenum protein (CAP), cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) on growth, protein utilization and intestinal health of gibel carp (Carassius gibelio, CAS Ⅴ). The FM-based diet was used as the control, and the blended proteins (TMM: CM: CAP: CPC) at ratios of 1 : 1:8 : 2 (BLEND A), 1 : 1:6 : 4 (BLEND B), and 1 : 1:4 : 6 (BLEND C) were used to replace FM at three levels (33%, 67%, 100%), respectively. The results showed that, compared to the control group, growth performance increased significantly when dietary FM was fully replaced by BLEND B (P&lt;0.05), while decreased by BLEND A (P&lt;0.05). The complete substitution of FM with BLEND B significantly upregulated the mRNA expression of intestinal proinflammatory cytokines, anti-inflammatory cytokines, and tight junction-related genes (P&lt;0.05), improving intestinal tissue morphology and health. And it also significantly increased intestinal trypsin activity (P&lt;0.05), upregulated the mRNA expression of amino acid sensory receptor-related and amino acid or peptide transport-related genes (P&lt;0.05), increased protein apparent digestibility coefficient (P&lt;0.05). The 100% substitution of FM with BLEND A significantly upregulated the mRNA expression of intestinal proinflammatory cytokines and downregulated the mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine il-10 (P &lt;0.05), reduced intestinal villus height (P&lt;0.05), and decreased protein apparent digestibility coefficient (P&lt;0.05). In conclusion, BLEND B could completely substitute dietary FM and was beneficial to the growth and health of gibel carp. Dietary digestible essential amino acids index (DEEAI) was found as an important indicator and should be higher than 79.5% to meet the maximum growth of fish.

Substitution of Fish Meal and Worm Meal African Night Crawler on the Physical Quality of Fish Feed

This research aims to determine the effect of substitution of fish meal and African night crawler worm meal on the quality of fish feed, especially physical aspects. The treatment tested was treatment A with a concentration of 55% fish meal, 10% worm meal, 30% corn meal, and 5% tapioca flour. Treatment B with a concentration of 53% fish meal, 12% worm meal, 30% corn meal, and 5% tapioca flour. Treatment C with a concentration of 49% fish meal, 14% worm meal, 30% corn meal, and 5% tapioca flour. Treatment K with a concentration of 65% fish meal, 0% worm meal, 30% corn meal, and 5% tapioca flour. The data collected consists of data on fish attractiveness to feed, feed solubility, feed hardness level and feed color aspects. The data that has been collected is then analyzed using descriptive analysis. The results of this research show that regarding the attractiveness of the feed to the test animals tested, the feed that received the quickest response from the fish to eat was the feed in treatment K. The solubility of feed in all treatments did not have a significant difference, However, the treatment that dissolved the fastest was treatment B, namely 207 minutes. Based on the level of feed hardness, the lowest level of feed hardness is feed in treatment K, which has a hardness level of 40%. In this research, where the color of the feed made is brown and slightly blackish and is similar in color to commercial feed.

Economic supply chain modelling of industrial insect production in the Netherlands

Abstract Defatted larvae meal (dLM), specifically from black soldier flies, could help overcome the animal protein gap. As insect production is an emerging sector, current economic research is scarce and very diverse. Thus, the aim of this research was to develop a simulation model that enables the analysis of full industrial scale costs of producing dLM and to provide insight in the distribution of these costs in the insect supply chain. The deterministic supply chain model is built on three modules, technical, transition and economic module, which all follow a previously defined supply chain structure and allow to extract quantity and price information for intermediate or final products. The model was parameterized and checked for plausibility in multiple consultation rounds with the INSECTFEED consortium and business partners. Additionally, model behaviour was checked with scenario, sensitivity, and break-even price analyses. In the default situation 5.57 tDM raw substrate and 26.7 million neonates are required to produce 1 tDM dLM for a price of €5,116/tDM. Most costs are added in the raw substrate delivery (€1,952/tDM) and production and collection (€821/tDM) step. Important cost factors are the raw substrate (€1,939/tDM) and building and inventory (€1,459/tDM). Parameters with high relative response rate towards the price of dLM are the feed conversion rate, dry matter percentage of larvae, raw substrate price, larvae density, labour wage and growth rate. To reach break-even prices for substituting fish meal with alive grown larvae (AGL) (€1,318/tDM AGL), improving production parameters is not sufficient. Just changing prices of raw substrate to −€78/tDM or frass to €1,175/tDM would enable a profitable operation. However, these are not deemed as realistic in mass production. Although there is some insecurity in data, the model results are the most realistic representation of industrial scale production amounts and costs.

The Substitution of Fishmeal with Yeast Culture in the Yellow Catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) Diet: Growth, Serum Biochemical Indices, and Intestinal and Hepatopancreatic Histology.

Yeast culture is a complex fermentation product consisting of fermentation substrate, yeast cells and their metabolites. This study investigated the potential of yeast culture in replacing fishmeal in the diet of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco). First, a basal diet was formulated to contain 160 g/kg fishmeal (CON), and then the dietary fishmeal was decreased to 120, 80, 40 and 0 g/kg via yeast culture inclusion, respectively, to form another four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets (YC-12, YC-8, YC-4 and YC-0). Yellow catfish (3.00 ± 0.10 g) were fed with the above five diets with triplicates per treatment and 40 fish per replicate. After 8 weeks of feeding, the weight gain (WG), protein efficiency rate and protein retention in the YC-12 group and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the YC-12 and YC-8 groups showed no significant differences to the CON group (p > 0.05), but the WG in the YC-8, YC-4 and YC-0 groups was significantly lower, and the FCR in the YC-4 and YC-0 groups was significantly higher than in the CON group (p < 0.05). In terms of the whole-body composition, only the crude lipid content in the YC-0 group decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Compared with the CON group, the aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities and D-lactic acid content in the YC-0 group were significantly increased, and the total cholesterol content was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and alkaline phosphatase, as well as the content of complement C3 and immunoglobulin M, were significantly increased, while the MDA content was significantly reduced in the YC-12 and YC-8 groups (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the intestinal amylase and lipase activity among all the groups (p > 0.05), while the trypsin activity in the YC-12 and YC-8 groups, as well as the diamine oxidase in the YC-4 and YC-0 groups, were significantly higher than those in the CON group (p < 0.05). In the intestine histology, there was a significant decrease in the intestinal villus height in the YC-4 and YC-0 groups as well as in the villus width in the YC-0 group (p < 0.05). In the hepatopancreas histology, lipid droplets appeared in the YC-4 and YC-0 groups, and severe cell vacuolation was observed in the YC-0 group. As a summary, in a practical diet containing 160 g/kg fishmeal, yeast culture can effectively replace 40 g/kg fishmeal without negatively affecting the growth performance, nutrient utilization, serum immune and antioxidant, intestinal and hepatopancreas histology of yellow catfish.

Effects of Phytase Enzyme Supplementation on Protein Digestibility, Efficiency of Feed Utilization, Growth and Carcass Protein Content of Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum)

The success of intensive cultivation of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) is largely determined by the availability of high-quality feed. High-quality fish diets consist of fish meal produced from animal-based proteins in order to provide fish with the protein requirement. In intensive farming systems, feed costs account for 60–70% of total production costs. Due to fish meal's increasing cost; hence, less expensive ingredients are required to substitute fish meal. Soybean meal can be used as an alternative source of protein to substitute for fish meal due to its lower price and high protein content in fish diet. Phytate acid, one of the antinutritional materials contained within soybean meal, may decrease the nutrient content of feed by affecting with the fish's ability to absorb nutrients. The research aimed to examine the effect of adding the phytase enzyme to diet feed on increasing protein digestibility, efficiency of feed utilization and growth of tambaqui fish. The fingerlings of tambaqui used as test fish had an average weight of 3.85 ± 0.08 g/fish. The diet treatments in this study were phytase enzyme addition in diet with different doses, namely: A (0 FTU/kg feed), B (250 FTU/kg feed), C (500 FTU/kg feed), D (750 FTU/kg feed) and E (1000 FTU/kg feed). The results showed that phytase enzyme addition in diet significantly increased protein digestibility, efficiency of feed utilization, growth, and carcass protein content of tambaqui fish. The most effectiveness phytase enzyme dose for tambaqui fish was 1000 FTU/kg feed, which resulted in highest values of ADCp, PER, FCR, and RGR at 68.46±0.28%, 2.27±0.05, 1.53±0.04, 74.59±0.45%, and 6.01±0.19%/day, respectively.

Fish feed formulation: Does Nigerian farmers' risk and time preference play a part in choosing feed protein sources for intensively farmed fish?

Fish meal is commonly used in the diets of fish, but its high cost and sustainability as a feed ingredient raise concerns. In order to reduce dependence on fish meal, proteins from plant sources are increasingly being recommended as an alternative ingredient in fish diets. The paper aims to examine whether risk attitudes and time preferences influence the decision to choose feed protein sources for intensively farmed fish. Using measures based on behavioural economics theories, we elicit risk attitudes and time preferences of 100 Nigerian fish farmers and estimate a double hurdle regression by assuming that fish farmers make their feed protein substitution decisions in two steps. The results indicate that risk-seeking farmers are less likely to substitute (risk-increasing) fish meal for plant-based proteins in fish feed. There is no statistically significant effect of time preference on the decision to substitute fish meal for plant-based proteins. Other results show that a higher level of education and income and a larger farm size positively influenced the decision to substitute fish meal for plant-based proteins, while male farmers were less likely to substitute fish meal for plant-based proteins. These findings suggest that farmers' risk attitudes, education, income, farm size, and gender are critical factors that policymakers and stakeholders should consider in interventions to encourage farmers to transition to more sustainable feed input.

Dietary Replacement Effect of Fish Meal by Tuna By-Product Meal on Growth and Feed Availability of Red Sea Bream (Pagrus major).

The effect of substituting fish meal (FM) by tuna by-product meal (TBM) on growth and feed availability of red sea bream (Pagrus major) was investigated. Six experimental diets were crested to be isonitrogenous (51.5%) and isolipidic (14.5%). The control (Con) diet contained 55% FM. FM substitution in the Con diet was made in increments of 20 percentage points (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%), named as the TBM20, TBM40, TBM60, TBM80, and TBM100 diets, respectively. Juvenile red sea bream were stocked into 18, 300 L flow-through tanks (50 fish/tank). Red sea bream were hand-fed with each diet until satiation for 8 weeks. No statistical differences in weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), and feed consumption were found among red sea bream fed the Con, TBM20, and TBM40 diets. Furthermore, feed utilization of fish fed the TBM20, TBM40, TBM60, and TBM80 diets was comparable to red sea bream fed the Con diet. The biological indices, biochemical composition, and hematological parameters of fish were not statistically altered by dietary FM replacement with TBM. The greatest economic profit index was achieved in the TBM40 diet. In conclusion, the replacement of 40% FM with TBM in red sea bream diet appears to be the most recommendable approach without producing retarded growth and feed availability, but maximizing EPI to farmers.

Substitution effect of fish meal with various plant protein sources on growth performance and feed utilization in rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli) diets including jack mackerel meal used as feed stimulants

Incorporating feed stimulants and attractants in low fish meal (FM) diets is a very effective way to improve palatability and increase feed intake and fish growth. This research aims to elucidate the substitution impact of different levels of FM with various plant proteins in diets with jack mackerel meal (JMM) inclusion as feed stimulants on the growth and feed utilization of rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli). A two-way (2 substitution levels [25% and 50%] × 3 substitution sources [corn gluten meal (CGM), soybean protein concentrate (SPC), and corn protein concentrate (CPC)]) ANOVA experimental design was adopted. In total, 525 fish averaging 8.3 g were assigned to 21 tanks (25 juvenile/tank). Seven isoprotetic and isolipidic feeds were formulated. The control (Con) diet contained 55% FM. CGM, SPC, and CPC were replaced for 25% and 50% FM in the Con diet, and then 22% JMM as feed stimulants was included at the cost of FM, named as the CGM25, CGM50, SPC25, SPC50, CPC25, and CPC50 diets, respectively. All diets were assigned to triplicate groups of rockfish. Rockfish were hand-fed to apparent satiation twice a day for 8 weeks. Rockfish fed the 25% FM substitution diets achieved superior (p &amp;lt; 0.0001 for both) weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) compared to rockfish fed the 50% FM substitution diets, while rockfish fed the CGM-replaced diets achieved superior (p &amp;lt; 0.0001 for both) weight gain and SGR compared to rockfish fed the SPC- and CPC-replaced diets. The weight gain and SGR of rockfish fed the Con and CGM25 diets were superior to rockfish fed all other diets. Rockfish fed the 25% FM substitution diets achieved superior (p &amp;lt; 0.0001 for both) feed efficiency (FE) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) compared to rockfish fed the 50% FM substitution diets, while rockfish fed the CGM-replaced diets achieved superior FE and PER compared to rockfish fed the CPC-replaced diets. Rockfish fed the 25% FM substitution diets led to superior (p &amp;lt; 0.0001) protein retention (PR) compared to rockfish fed the 50% FM substitution diets. The biological indices, proximate composition, and amino acid profiles of the whole body, as well as the plasma and serum parameters of rockfish, were not changed by either substitution level or substitution source. In conclusion, the replacement of CGM for 25% FM in the rockfish diet with JMM inclusion can be made without deteriorating growth performance, feed consumption and utilization, biochemical composition, and plasma and serum parameters.

Replacement of fish meal with cottonseed protein concentrate in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis): Nutrient digestibility, growth performance, free amino acid profile, and expression of genes related to nutrient metabolism

This study aimed to investigate the application of cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) in Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis). First, the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of CPC, fish meal and soybean meal were compared in crabs (21.72 ± 0.33 g). The protein ADC of CPC was 90.42%, which was significantly higher than that of soybean meal (83.16%) (P < 0.05). The ADC of Phe, Cys and Glu of CPC were significantly higher than those of fish meal, while the ADC of Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Thr and Ala of CPC were significantly lower (P < 0.05). Second, we investigated the effects of fish meal substitution by CPC on growth performance, free amino acid profile, and expression of genes related to nutrient metabolism in crabs. Six diets were formulated by replacing 0%, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60% and 75% fish meal with CPC, namely FM, CPC15, CPC30, CPC45, CPC60, and CPC75. A total of 630 crabs (1.68 ± 0.00 g) were randomly divided into 18 tanks (3 tanks per group) and fed 3 times daily for 9 weeks. Results showed that CPC75 group significantly reduced growth performance, feed conversion efficiency, and free Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, and Thr contents in muscle (P < 0.05). The contents of free amino acids (Arg, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Thr, Val, Ala, Cys, Glu, Gly, Ser and Tyr) in hepatopancreas decreased linearly with the increase of dietary CPC level (P < 0.05). The substitution of more than 45% fish meal with CPC significantly decreased the concentration of delicious amino acids (Ala, Glu and Gly) in hepatopancreas (P < 0.05), which might adversely affect crab flavor. The expression of genes related to antioxidant capacity, protein transport, TOR pathway and lipid metabolism was significantly downregulated by increasing dietary CPC level (P < 0.05). In conclusion, based on the quadratic regression analysis of FCR and PER, the optimal replacement levels of fish meal with CPC in crab diet containing 35% fish meal were 32.36% and 35.38%, respectively. It is recommended that Ile, Leu and Thr be supplemented in addition to Met and Lys in the application of CPC.

Evaluation of Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal on Growth, Body Composition, Immune Responses, and Antioxidant Capacity of Redclaw Crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) Juveniles

This study investigated the effects of substituting fish meal (FM) with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) meal (BSM) on the growth performance, body composition, immune response, and antioxidant enzyme activity of juvenile redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus). Four isonitrogenous (41%) and isolipidic (11%) diets (i.e., FM substitutes) were formulated from BSM prepared using larvae that were fed soybean meal (BSM-S), fishery byproducts (BSM-F), or pitaya (BSM-P). The experimental diets were fed twice daily to triplicate groups of juvenile redclaw crayfish (0.56 ± 0.04 g). After the feed trial, the FM and BSM-F groups exhibited significantly lower feed conversion ratios and significantly higher weight gain; specific growth rates; and concentrations of saturated fatty acids, highly unsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid in the muscle. Among the tested groups, the BSM-F group exhibited significantly enhanced immune responses and increased antioxidant enzyme activity (i.e., superoxide dismutase, phenoloxidase, and glutathione peroxidase); the BSM-P group exhibited a significantly higher feed intake and hepatopancreatic index; and the FM group exhibited a significantly higher muscle body index and apparent digestibility for the dry matter of crude protein. The findings indicate that the juvenile redclaw crayfish fed BSM-F achieved the highest weight gain among the groups.

Effects of Partial Substitution of Fish Meal with Soybean Products and Chicken Meal on Growth, Antioxidant Capacity and Intestinal Microbiota of Penaeus monodon

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of the partial substitution of fish meal with soybean products and chicken meal on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity and intestinal microbiota of Penaeus monodon. A total of 450 healthy, consistent shrimp were randomly divided into five groups, with three replicates per group and 30 shrimp per replicate. The proportion of fish meal substituted with soybean products and chicken meal in the five feed groups was 0% (FM), 40% (40SC), 60% (60SC), 80% (80SC) and 100% (100SC). The experiment lasted for 8 weeks. The results showed that, compared to the FM group, the 40SC and 60SC groups had a decrease in WG and SR, but there was no significant difference (p &gt; 0.05). In contrast, compared to the FM group, the FCR in the 100SC group was significantly increased (p &lt; 0.05), while there was no significant difference among the FM and 40SC, 60SC and 80SC groups (p &gt; 0.05). Compared to the FM group, the ACP in the 80SC and 100SC groups significantly increased (p &lt; 0.05), while the 40SC and 60SC groups had no significant difference (p &gt; 0.05). The AKP in the 100SC group was significantly higher than that in the FM group (p &lt; 0.05), while there were no significant differences among the other four groups (p &gt; 0.05). There were no significant differences in T-AOC and T-SOD among all the treatment groups (p &gt; 0.05). The next-generation sequencing of the intestinal microbiota showed that Proteobacteria was the most abundant phylum in the five groups, accounting for 37.67%, 66%, 40%, 40% and 43.33%, respectively. Compared to the FM group, the Fusobacteriota in the other four groups decreased significantly (p &lt; 0.05). The functional prediction of FAPROTAX indicated that no functional components were observed which are harmful to the body. Considering the effects on growth performance, antioxidant capacity and intestinal microbiota, it is feasible to use soybean products and chicken meal to replace 60% of fish meal in the feed of P. monodon.

Effects of Fishmeal Substitution with Mealworm Meals (Tenebrio molitor and Alphitobius diaperinus) on the Growth, Physiobiochemical Response, Digesta Microbiome, and Immune Genes Expression of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar).

A 12-week growth trial was conducted to assess the effects of mealworm meals, as a substitution for fishmeal, on the growth, physiobiochemical responses, digesta microbiome, and immune-related genes expression of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Twenty Atlantic salmon parr (38.5 ± 0.1 g, initial weight) were stocked into each of 16 tanks in a recirculating aquaculture system. A fishmeal-based diet (100% FM) was used as the control treatment and was compared with three test diets where: (1) fishmeal was partially (50%) replaced with defatted mealworm meal, Tenebrio molitor (50% DMM), (2) fishmeal was fully replaced with defatted mealworm meal (100% DMM), and (3) fishmeal was partially replaced with whole lesser mealworm meal, Alphitobius diaperinus (50% WMM). All substitutions were done on a crude protein basis. Each of the four experimental diets was evaluated in quadruplicate tanks as part of randomized design. The results indicated that Atlantic salmon showed high survival (greater or equal to 98.8%), and no significant difference in final growth, feed efficiency, feces stability and condition indices. Hepatosomatic index was lower in fish fed 100% DMM and 50% WMM when compared to fish fed the control diet (100% FM). Whole-body proximate and amino acid compositions were not statistically different between treatments, while essential fatty acids, including linolenic, eicosapentaenoic acid, and homo-a-linolenic, were lower in fish fed 100% DMM. Plasma parameters (total protein, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total iron-binding capacity), hepatic peroxide, and antioxidant enzymes were not significantly affected by dietary substitutions, whereas plasma immunoglobulin M showed significantly higher levels in fish fed 50% DMM and 100% DMM when compared to fish fed the control diet (100% FM). The inclusion of mealworm meals significantly impacted the overall microbiome composition but not the richness and evenness of the salmon digesta microbiomes compared to control. The most common genus in all treatments was Pseudomonas, which has been previously shown to have both commensal and pathogenic members. The relative expressions of growth (IGF-I) and protein synthesis (TIPRL) were not significantly different between the treatments, whereas immunoglobulin genes (IgM, IgD, and IgT) were significantly upregulated in fish fed the DMM diets when compared to fish fed the control diet. Overall, this study suggests that the mealworm meals tested could be suitable alternatives to fishmeal in the diet of Atlantic salmon.

An estimation of optimum dietary concentration of soy bean meal for carps (Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirhinus mrigala).

Soybean meal is an inexpensive plant origin protein which has been used in practical diets as a replacement of animal protein such as fish meal or chicken meal, due to the uneconomical price of animal protein diets. Consequently, a research study was conducted on some commercial species of Indian major carps i.e. Catla (Cattla cattla), Rohu (Labeo rohita) and Mrigala (Cirhinus mrigala) (Hamilton, 1822) to estimate optimum dietary protein requirement of soy bean meal in diet in an intensive polyculture. Three different diets (SBM I, SBM II and SBM III) were formulated by 80%, 50% and 20% replacement of fish meal with soybean meal from a 45% fish meal diet (control).Highest monthly mean weight gain was obtained by SBM II (with 35% CP and about 50% substitution of fish meal), while SBM III (45% Crude Protein and about 20% substitution of fish meal) was stood second. All tested diets respond enormously by producing high yield as compare to control diet, though SBM II generated highest yield among all. On the bases of the following research, it was revealed that the SBM can surrogate even50% fish meal without any augmentation of other amino acids in the diet of Indian major carps.

The Effect of Supplementation of Fish Protein Hydrolysate to the BSF‐Based Aquafeed on the Growth, Survival, Fatty Acids, and Histopathology of Juvenile Lobster (Panulirus ornatus)

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of liquid fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) following fishmeal substitution with full‐fat and defatted BSF (black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens) meal in the feeds of juvenile ornate spiny lobster, Panulirus ornatus. The physiological aspects of juvenile lobsters including growth, fatty acids profile, and histopathology were observed. Six isoenergetic experimental feeds having a protein‐to‐energy ratio of 26 CP mg kJ−1 were formulated with the substitution of fishmeal at 25% using liquid FPH, full‐fat BSF (FBSF), defatted BSF (DBSF), and their combination. The specific growth rate, final body weight, final total length, and length increment of juvenile lobsters (initial weight was 0.21 ± 0.01 g and total length was 20.53 ± 0.12 mm) were significantly affected by the fishmeal substitution (P &lt; 0.05) and improved with the addition of liquid FPH in the feeds containing FBSF and DBSF. The whole body proximate analysis showed that the liquid FPH to the feeds containing DBSF increased the ash and protein content significantly (P &lt; 0.05). The total monounsaturated fatty acids (∑MUFA), saturated fatty acids (∑SFA), and omega 9 fatty acids (∑n−9 FA) of juvenile lobsters’ whole bodies fed with dietary DBSF and FPH supplementation were significantly higher than those of others (P &lt; 0.05). The histopathological analysis indicated that the villus size and the muscle thickness in the intestine were not significantly affected by FPH supplementation. However, the hepatopancreas histopathology indicated the presence of B‐cells and R‐cells in the juvenile lobsters fed with FPH‐supplemented feeds. The present results suggested the supplementation of liquid FPH to the formulated feed with FBSF and DBSF for juvenile lobsters can improve the lobsters’ growth and fatty acids availability.

Effects of Substituting Fish Meal by Chlorella Meal in Practical Diet on Growth, Feed Utilization, and Flesh Quality of Pacific White Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei)

This study investigated the effects of substituting fish meal (FM) in practical diet by chlorella meal on the growth, feed utilization, and flesh quality of Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). First, a basal diet was prepared with 200 g/kg FM inclusion (FM‐20), and then chlorella meal was used to reduce FM inclusion to 150 g/kg (FM‐15), 100 g/kg (FM‐10), 50 g/kg (FM‐5), and 0 g/kg (FM‐0), corresponding to the replacement levels of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of dietary FM, respectively. Shrimp (1.37 ± 0.10 g) were fed with the five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets for 56 days. No significant difference was observed in feed conversion ratio (FCR) and weight gain (WG) between FM‐20 and FM‐15 group (P &gt; 0.05), but when chlorella meal substituted 50% of dietary FM, WG, protein and lipid retention, and n‐3/n‐6 PUFAs in flesh were significantly reduced with significant increase in FCR (P &lt; 0.05). Survival, feed intake, meat yield, apparent digestibility coefficient of crude protein, dry matter, and flesh shear force showed no significant difference between FM‐20 and substituted groups (P &gt; 0.05). When dietary FM was totally substituted by chlorella meal, the body yellowness and redness and essential amino acid content in flesh, including Lys and Met, were significantly reduced (P &lt; 0.05). No significant differences were found in flesh total collagen, crude lipid, crude protein, serum biochemical indexes, flesh texture profiles (hardness, springiness, etc.), water holding capacity, antioxidant capacity, fatty acid, free amino acid composition, and muscle fiber density among the five treatments (P &gt; 0.05). To sum up, in a practical diet with 200 g/kg FM inclusion, chlorella meal successfully replaced 25% of dietary FM without adverse impacts on the growth and feed utilization, and the substitution of 75% of dietary FM did not negatively affect the flesh quality of Pacific white shrimp.

Effects of Dietary Fish Meal Replaced by Fish Steak Meal on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, Intestinal Health and Microflora, Inflammatory Response, and Protein Metabolism of Large Yellow Croaker Larimichthys crocea.

Although fish steak meal (FSM) is a potentially available protein source, its efficiency as a fish meal (FM) substitute remains unclear to date. To this end, this study was carried out to determine the effects of dietary FM replaced by FSM on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, intestinal health and microflora, inflammatory response, and protein metabolism of large yellow croaker. Five isolipidic and isonitrogenous diets were formulated by substituting FM with FSM at levels of 0% (FSM0, control diet), 25% (FSM25), 50% (FSM50), 75% (FSM75), and 100% (FSM100), and were fed to juvenile large yellow croaker for 8 weeks. Compared with the control diet, the replacement of 25% dietary FM with FSM did not markedly alter the weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR). When the FM substitution level was over 25%, WG and SGR markedly reduced. The intestinal structure observation found that the FSM75 and FSM100 diets markedly decreased villus height, villus width, and muscle thickness of the anterior intestine. The FSM75 and FSM100 diets significantly decreased enzyme activities of amylase (AMS), lipase (LPS), trypsin, catalase (CAT), and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the liver of large yellow croaker. The mRNA expression levels of intestinal barrier and inflammatory response-related genes suggested that the FSM50, FSM75, and FSM100 diets significantly decreased the mRNA abundances of intestinal barrier-related genes and anti-inflammatory response-related genes, and increased the mRNA abundances of proinflammatory gene il-6 in the anterior intestine. The compositions of intestinal microflora displayed that the FSM50, FSM75, and FSM100 diets decreased relative abundances of Firmicutes phylum and increased relative abundances of Proteobacteria phylum. In addition, the results of protein expression levels showed that the phosphorylation level of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) in FSM75 and FSM100 groups were markedly reduced. In conclusion, FSM can replace up to 25% dietary FM without compromising the growth performance, intestinal health, and protein metabolism of the large yellow croaker.