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The objectives of this study were to investigate the digestibility of pumpkin seed cake (PSC) for the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792), and effects on performance and product quality traits of four different fish species when PSC partially replaced fishmeal in extruded diets. A digestibility trial was carried out to determine apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) for crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE) and gross energy (GE) of PSC fed to rainbow trout. In subsequent growth trials, effects on performance and morphological traits and fillet colour values of four different fish species [rainbow trout; brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill, 1814); African sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822); and wels catfish, Silurus glanis (Linnaeus, 1758)] were evaluated when 60% of fishmeal protein of a reference diet was replaced by PSC protein (based on digestible CP). Nutrient ADC of PSC were high (CP: 89%, EE: 88% and GE: 84%). No significant effects on growth and only minor effects on fillet colour were detected in the trials. However, replacing fishmeal with PSC at the chosen level affected morphological traits and feed conversion in all four species to different extents. Replacement effects of PSC should be tested at lower levels of inclusion before conclusions are drawn on its suitability in fish diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A 50‐day feeding trial was conducted for juvenile pearl gentian grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂ × Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀) to determine the optimal amount of Tenebrio molitor meal (TM) that could replace fishmeal (FM) in feeds without reducing growth performance, antioxidant enzyme activities and resistance. Six isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated with TM replacing 0% (T0), 6.25% (T6), 12.5% (T12), 18.75% (T18), 25% (T25), 31.25% (T31) FM respectively. Each diet was randomly divided into triplicate groups with 30 juveniles (initial weight 6.60 ± 0.00 g). After feeding trail, fish were challenged by Vibrio harveyi for 7 days. The results showed that each treatment had better survival rate between 96.67% and 100%. Fish fed with control and T6 diet showed lower final weight and weight gain rate as compared to other diets. The feed conversion ratio of fish fed on T12 and T18 diet had no significant difference compared to control diet. As compared to control diet, other diets had no significant differences on specific growth rate and temperature growth coefficient. Fish fed with T6 diet had highest liver glutathione reductase activities. No significant differences were observed in liver superoxide dismutase activities in fish fed with T6, T12, T25, T31 and control diet. Fish fed on T18 diet had lowest hepatic malondialdehyde contents and a highest relative per cent survival. According to a broken‐line model, the recommended substituted ratio of TM for FM was estimated to be 12.3% for grouper obtaining maximum WGR, corresponding to additive amount of TM is 4.92%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of methionine supplementation when reducing fishmeal levels in diets for white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Tested diets consisted of a positive control with 260 g/kg fishmeal (D1), two negative controls with 100 g/kg fishmeal and no amino acid (AA) supplementation (D2) or supplemented with lysine but not methionine (D3), and four additional diets with 100g/kg fishmeal supplemented with increasing levels of DL‐Met (1.0, 2.0 or 3.0 g/kg) (D4, D5, D6) or Met‐Met (1.0 g/kg) (D7). Each diet was fed to four groups of 30 shrimp for 8 weeks at a daily rate of 70 g/kg body weight. Reduction in fishmeal from 260 g/kg down to 100 g/kg did not significantly affect survival rate, feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) or protein retention efficiency (PR%) of white shrimp. However, growth performance (final body weight, FBW; weight gain, WG; specific growth rate, SGR) was reduced when dietary fishmeal level was reduced from 260 g/kg (D1) to 100 g/kg without methionine supplementation (D2). The growth performance (FBW, WG and SGR) of shrimp was significantly increased by supplementation of the 100 g/kg fishmeal diet with increasing levels of DL‐Met (p < .05). Same performance as positive control (D1) was achieved with diets containing 100 g/kg fishmeal and supplemented with 3.0 g/kg DL‐Met or 1.0 g/kg Met‐Met. The highest values of growth performance (FBW, WG and SGR) were found in shrimp fed D6 and D7 diets, which were significantly higher than those of shrimp fed D2 and D3 diets (p < .05) but without statistical differences with shrimp fed D1, D4 and D5 diets (p > .05). The highest values of whole‐body and muscle protein contents were found in shrimp fed D1 diet, which were significantly higher than those of shrimp fed all other diets (p < .05). The highest value of intestinal tract proteolytic enzyme activity was found in shrimp fed Met‐Met‐supplemented diet (D7) and followed by the positive control diet (D1) and 3 g/kg DL‐Met‐supplemented diet (D6) (p < .05). The highest values of apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter and crude protein were found in Met‐Met‐supplemented diet (D7) and followed by the positive control diet (D1) (p < .05). Shrimp fed the D1 diet showed the highest value of total essential amino acid (EAA) and was significantly higher than shrimp fed D2–D3 (p < .05) but without significant difference with shrimp fed D4–D7 (p > .05). In conclusion, results showed that same performance can be achieved with diets containing 260 or 100 g/kg fishmeal supplemented with 3.0 g/kg DL‐Met or 1.0 g/kg Met‐Met. Moreover, supplementation of limiting methionine in low‐fishmeal diets seems to improve the digestive proteolytic activity, improving digestibility of dry matter and protein, and eventually to promote growth of juvenile white shrimp in fishmeal reduction diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two feeding experiments were carried out to evaluate the utilization of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) in diets for Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). The digestibility experiment was assessed with four diets: a reference diet and three ingredient test diets containing FSBM, local and Chilean fishmeal. The growth experiment was conducted including four isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets formulated to contain the graded levels of dietary fishmeal (0 g/kg, 150 g/kg, 300 g/kg and 450 g/kg) substituted by FSBM. The results indicated that ADCs of crude protein in FSBM were high (888.4 g/kg) and equal in local fishmeal but little lower than Chilean fishmeal while without any significant differences observed in ADCs of crude lipid among the different test ingredients. After 75 days of growth trial, survival rates and feed conversion ratio were not significantly different among the experimental treatments. However, shrimp fed the diets with increasing inclusions of FSBM had a tendency to reduce weight gain and specific growth rate. Based on the correlation between weight gain and substituted fishmeal level analysed by broken‐line regression, the optimum level of fishmeal replaced by FSBM in diet was 253.6 g/kg without adverse effects on growth and feed utilization of Pacific white shrimp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the potential of replacing fish meal with poultry by‐product meal (PBM) and feather meal (FEM) in giant croaker (Nibea japonica) diet. The control diet (C) contained 400 g/kg fish meal, and 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% of the fish meal in diet C was replaced by a blend of PBM and FEM (PBM: FEM = 7:3) in diets B20, B40, B60 and B80, respectively. The weight gain and feed intake of fish fed diet C did not differ from those of fish fed diets B20 and B40 (p > .05), but were higher than those of fish fed diets B60 and B80 (p < .05). Phosphorus retention efficiency was lower in fish fed diets C, B20 and B40 than in fish fed diets R60 and R80 (p < .05). No significant differences were found in feed conversion ratio, nitrogen retention efficiency, condition factor, hepatosomatic index, body composition and nitrogen waste among the treatments (p > .05). Ratio of fish meal consumption to fish production linearly declined with the decrease in dietary fish meal level. This study indicates that dietary fish meal for giant croaker could be reduced to 240 g/kg by inclusion of the blend of PBM and FEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Three six‐week growth trials and a digestibility trial were conducted to evaluate a fish meal analogue (FMA) as a replacement for fish meal (FM) in shrimp feeds. Trials 1 and 2 evaluated and confirmed the potential of FMA supplementation (0, 48.5, 97, 145.5 and 194 g/kg) as a replacement for FM up to 200 g/kg without balancing for phosphorus (P) in practical diets for juvenile Pacific white shrimp L. vannamei. At the end of trial 1, shrimp offered diets containing 48.5 g/kg FMA exhibited significantly higher weight gain (WG) than those fed with the diet containing 145.5 g/kg FMA. At the end of trial 2, dietary FMA inclusion at 48.5 and 97 g/kg significantly improved WG and protein retention (PR), while reducing FCR and protein content of shrimp body compared to the diet containing 194 g/kg FMA. To determine whether P deficiency is the cause of reduced growth, the third trial was conducted utilizing equivalent diet but balanced for P. At the end of trial 3, shrimp fed diet containing 48.5 g/kg FMA+P showed significantly higher WG and PR than those fed diet containing 145.5 g/kg FMA+P. No decreasing trend of growth was detected in the diets containing FMA compared to the FM‐based diet. Apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, energy, protein and amino acids of FMA were determined using chromic oxide as an inert maker and the 70:30 replacement technique. The energy, protein and individual amino acid digestibility of FMA were significantly lower than those of soybean meal and FM which were run at the same time. Results of this work indicate that FMA can replace up to 200 g/kg FM in shrimp diets with supplemental inorganic P. Given the good growth across the range of inclusion without any indication of a growth depression, the low nutrient digestibility of FMA may be due to an atypical response or the product simply does not work with the testing technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Shrimp farms in India had average yields (pond surface basis) of 7.86 ± 1.04 (SE) m.t./ha/yr for Litopenaeus vannamei (n = 89) and 3.88 m.t./ha/yr for Penaeus monodon (n = 11). Average feed conversion ratio was 1.48 ± 0.04 for L. vannamei and 1.24 ± 0.12 for P. monodon. Land use for production ponds, supporting area, and feed ingredients averaged 0.634 ± 0.053 ha/m.t. for L. vannamei and 0.716 ± 0.087 ha/m.t. for P. monodon. Saline water volume used at farms without water exchange was 18,522 ± 4065 m3/m.t. for L. vannamei and 9528 m3/m.t. for P. monodon. Farms exchanging water used 149,188 m3/m.t. for L. vannamei and 191,500 m3/m.t. for P. monodon. Freshwater embodied in feed was 1678 ± 508 m3/m.t. for L. vannamei and 1401 ± 137 m3/m.t. for P. monodon. Average energy use for farm construction and repair, farm operations, and embodied in feed and liming materials was 82.14 ± 9.08 GJ/m.t. for L. vannamei and 59.03 ± 24.92 GJ/m.t. for P. monodon. Wildfish used to make fishmeal included in feed was 1209 kg/m.t. for L. vannamei and 1611 kg/m.t. for P. monodon. Farm infrastructure, pond management methods, yields, and resource use in India were similar to those previously reported for shrimp farms in Thailand and Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two growth trials were conducted to evaluate and confirm the efficacy of a porcine meal (PM) with high protein content (>90%) as an alternative feed ingredient in commercial‐type feed formulation for Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Six experimental diets were formulated for the two growth trials. The first five diets contained increasing levels (0, 1, 2, 4, and 6%) of PM as a replacement for soybean meal in a plant‐based diet with low inclusion level (6%) of fish meal (FM). The last experimental diet was produced utilizing 4.2% PM to completely replace FM. In Trial 1, shrimp (1.5 g initial mean weight, 20 shrimp/tank, n = 4) were offered test diets for 6 wk in a semirecirculation system. At the end of Trial 1, shrimp fed with the diet containing 6% PM exhibited significantly enhanced weight gain (WG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and survival compared to those fed with the diet devoid of FM. As survival was poor across all treatments and different densities could mask growth results the trial was repeated. In Trial 2, shrimp (0.85 g, 15 shrimp/tank, n = 4) were offered diets for 6 wk. Dietary supplementation of PM at 6% significantly improved WG, FCR, and apparent net protein retention in contrast with the treatment devoid of FM, confirming the same trends in Trial 1. No significant difference was detected in protein, lipid, moisture, and mineral profiles of whole‐body shrimp as well as survival across all the treatments. Results of this study indicate that PM is a good high protein source in shrimp feeds, which can be included up to 6% in the low FM‐based diet without compromising the growth of shrimp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study performs an exploratory comparative evaluation of various animal and vegetable protein and lipid sources, used as feed in the aquaculture industry. The ingredients studied include fishmeal (FM) and fish oil (FO) from fisheries by-products, meal and fat by-products from poultry slaughter, FM and FO from Peruvian anchovy capture, and soybean meal and oil. The boundaries studied include the production or capture, the ingredient processing unit and the transport to the unit that processes the ingredients into aquafeeds in Portugal.Methods: The LCA impact assessment method is the CML-IA baseline V3.04/EU25 and the results were obtained for the characterisation step. Some of the inventory data were collected from a Portuguese company (Savinor) that processes both by-products from local fisheries and by-products from poultry production. Savinor provided data specifically associated with the ingredients’ production. Obtained data were complemented with literature data from: fish capture and poultry production. Inventory data for the production of ingredients from Peruvian anchovy and soybeans were retrieved from literature. It was assumed that the transport of the ingredients produced from Peruvian anchovy, between Lima and Rotterdam, is made in a transoceanic vessel, and it is considered a transport by truck between Rotterdam and Ovar, for soybean ingredients and FM/FO produced from Peruvian anchovy.Results and discussion: This paper shows that poultry meal and poultry fat from poultry slaughter by-products have the larger contribution to all environmental impact categories evaluated, being the production of poultry the life cycle stage that contributes most to the overall categories. On the other hand, FM and FO from Peruvian anchovy were the ingredients with a lower contribution to all impact categories, except for abiotic depletion category, for FM from Peruvian anchovy, and abiotic depletion, abiotic depletion (fossil fuels) and ozone layer depletion for FO from Peruvian anchovy. For these categories, soybean meal and oil had lower impacts, respectively. The ingredients were compared by classes (protein and lipid sources).Conclusions: A general conclusion is that soybean meal and oil and FM/FO from Peruvian anchovy appear to be very interesting options for aquafeeds from an LCA perspective. However, some limitations identified for this study, as, for instance, that it does not account for the environmental benefits associated with the use of the mentioned by-products, that would otherwise be considered wastes (i.e. by-products from the fish canning sector and poultry slaughter) shall be evaluated in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Work was undertaken to investigate the potential use of housefly (Musca domestica) larvae reared on broiler manure as a source of nutrition for poultry production in the United Kingdom. Nutritional analysis showed that larvae have a high (>45% dry wt.) protein content and a favorable amino acid profile that is rich in key amino acids, such as lysine and methionine. A broiler digestibility trial was carried out to determine the apparent ileal digestibility coefficients (AIDC) and true ileal digestibility coefficients (TIDC) of amino acids (AA) from insect larval meal (ILM) from M. domestica and fishmeal (FM) in broiler chickens. This was calculated using multiple linear regression technique based upon 3 inclusions of each protein source in a semisynthetic diet. One-hundred-forty-four day-old male (Ross 308) broilers were fed from hatch on a commercial starter diet for 20 days. Experimental diets were fed from d 21 to 28, and feed intakes were measured daily. On d 28, the trial was terminated, ileal digesta were collected for the determination of AIDC and TIDC of AA, and inflammatory responses (gizzard erosion and eye discharge) were measured. No significant differences were observed in digestibilities between protein sources for any AA. Furthermore, ILM feeding did not induce gizzard erosion or eye discharge at any inclusion. These results provide strong evidence to suggest that ILM of the common housefly can provide a successful alternative protein source to FM in broiler diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effect of replacing fish meal (FM) with meat and bone meal (MBM) in diets for juvenile Pseudobagrus ussuriensis was evaluated in a 90‐day feeding trial. Six isonitrogenous (crude protein, 430 g/kg) and isolipidic (crude lipid, 74 g/kg) diets were formulated to contain MBM to replace FM at 0 (S0), 200 (S20), 400 (S40), 600 (S60), 800 (S80) and 1000 g/kg (S100), respectively. The results showed that there was no significant difference in weight gain (WG) among fish fed S0, S20 and S40 diets. However, a significant reduction in WG occurred when 600, 800 and 1000 g/kg FM protein was replaced by MBM (p < .05). Similar trends were observed in specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of protein and dry matter of the diets S80 and S100 were significantly lower than those of the other diets. The ADC of phosphorus significantly reduced with the increase in dietary MBM level. Nitrogen and phosphorus excretion increased with the increasing dietary MBM level. Protease, lipase and amylase activities of the diets S80 and S100 were significantly lower than those of the other diets (p < .05). The results of this study showed that the optimum dietary MBM replacement level was 34.3% according to broken‐line model based on WG against dietary MBM replacement level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An 8‐week growth trial was conducted with juvenile Chinese mitten crab fed a high fishmeal (FM) diet (PC), a low FM diet (NC) and three other diets (NC125, NC150 and NC175) supplemented with 125, 150 and 175 mg/kg of a dietary protease. In the NC diets, a portion of FM (from PC diet) was replaced by a combination of plant proteins. All diets were isoproteic (404 ± 3 g/kg) and isoenergetic (18.6 ± 0.2 kJ/g). No differences were observed among treatments in most parameters except protein (PRE, %) and lipid (LRE, %) retention efficiencies, where LRE was the highest (37.9%) in NC175 followed by the PC. A linear regression demonstrated significant effects of protease on hepatopancreatic trypsin activity (HPRO, p = .001), and PRE (p = .05) and LRE (p = .014) but not on energy retention efficiency (ERE). Dietary protease level was positively correlated with HPRO and nutrient retention efficiency (p < .05). On the other hand, the specific growth rate (SGR) was positively correlated with portein deposition (PD), lipid deposition (LP) and recovered energy (RE) and negatively correlated with survival (p < .05). This study is first to demonstrate that mainly nutrient retention efficiencies are modulated by specific dietary enzymes in animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An 8‐week growth trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary fish meal replacement with a vegetable mixture of soybean meal and rapeseed meal (1:1) on growth of juvenile red swamp crayfish. Nine isonitrogenous diets were designed: V0, V34, V50, V65, V73 and V81 with six levels of vegetable proteins, and VA48, VA63 and VA78 by further adding crystalline lysine and methionine into V50, V65 and V81. Compared with V0, V34 significantly improved the specific growth rate (SGR), while V65, V73, V81 and VA78 depressed the SGR (p < .05). Feeding rate showed a decreasing trend as dietary vegetable protein level increased (p < .05), except that in VA48 group. Significantly lower FCR and higher PER were observed in V34 group, whereas all vegetable protein diets depressed the feed utilization of crayfish (p < .05). Crayfish fed with diets containing vegetable proteins showed significantly lower hepatosomatic indices and higher condition factors than the control (p < .05). Muscle lipid content was significantly (p < .05) lowered in V81 group, but not in VA78 group. The results suggested that 338 g/kg vegetable protein improved growth performance of crayfish. Excessive vegetable protein depressed the growth of crayfish, which could be prevented by lysine and methionine supplementation except for the all vegetable protein diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: After filleting of tilapia, the material remaining is discarded and this waste represents about 700 g/kg of fish body volume, corresponding to carcass and viscera. These leftovers are important sources of proteins that can be used as feed in aquaculture industry by producing protein hydrolysates. In this study, two protein hydrolysates of tilapia were produced, with one (FPH1) and two (FPH2) hours of hydrolysis. The nutritional composition of the hydrolysates showed desirable levels of crude protein and essential amino acids. Electrophoresis revealed peptides ranging from 10 to 250 kDa. In addition, caseinolytic activity was recorded by zymogram. The hydrolysates were incorporated separately in experimental diets to replace fishmeal at distinct levels: 0, 40, 80 and 120 g/kg, totalizing seven diets named 0 (control), 40H1, 80H1, 120H1, 40H2, 80H2 and 120H2. A 45‐day feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the zootechnical performance of postlarvae fed these diets. In conclusion, the use of FPH2 as a substitute for fishmeal promotes better shrimp growth than FPH1 and allows higher levels of substitution. In addition, it is recommended a 60 g/kg fishmeal replacement by FPH2 to improve growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different sources of microbial biomass have drawn attention as novel ingredients for aquaculture feeds. In the present study, isotopic measurements were applied to determine the contribution of dietary nitrogen supplied by two sources of microalgal biomass and fish meal, to the growth of shrimp Penaeus vannamei. Microalgae Schizochytrium sp. and Grammatophora sp. were isolated from the Sea of Cortez and massively cultured to obtain sufficient biomass. Experimental diets were formulated with low levels of microalgal biomass replacing 5 and 10% of fish meal nitrogen. Nitrogen stable isotope values were determined in ingredients, diets, and shrimp to estimate the relative contributions of the dietary nitrogen and dry matter supplied by these ingredients to the somatic growth. At the end of a feeding trial, significant differences were observed in mean final weight gain. Dietary nitrogen contributions from microalgae were similar to established dietary proportions, but when estimated on a dry matter basis, nutritional contributions were different for a diet containing 10% of Schizochytrium, which contributed 24% of dry matter to growth. Results demonstrate that low dietary inclusion levels of microalgal biomass elicit similar or higher growth rates than diets based on a fish meal only. Isotopic data indicated that microalgae actually contributed protein to tissue accretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural nitrogen stable isotope signatures (δ15N) found in poultry by-product meal (PBM) and fish meal (FM) were used to estimate the relative contribution of dietary nitrogen supplied by both ingredients to the somatic growth of juvenile channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets were formulated using FM and PBM. Two of these diets consisted of isotopic controls having only one ingredient supplying dietary nitrogen, either FM or PBM. Four combined diets were formulated with varying proportions of these ingredients in order to supply high proportions of PBM (FM:PBM, 50:50, 35:65 20:80 and 5:95) on a nitrogen basis. There were significant differences in mean final weight of fish at the end of the trial. Lower growth was observed as the dietary level of PBM increased. In order to determine the relative contributions of the dietary nitrogen supplied by FM and PBM to catfish growth, an isotopic mixing model was applied. Results indicated that the incorporation of dietary nitrogen supplied by PBM was equivalent to the die tary proportions. The dietary nitrogen available in combined diets containing 50, 65 and 80% of PBM was incorporated in fish bodies as 50, 62 and 81%, respectively. However, high incorporation of dietary nitrogen from PBM was not always reflected in higher growth rates. Results demonstrate the viable use of stable isotopes to determine the allocation of dietary nitrogen and indicate that practical diets for catfish can be formulated with levels of PBM as high as 65% without affecting growth and survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of three dietary methionine (Met) sources [ dl-Met, coated-Met, and a methionine hydroxy analogue calcium salt (MHA-Ca)] for Chinese soft-shelled turtle ( Pelodiscus sinensis). Triplicate groups of juvenile turtles (initial weight 3.48 ± 0.03 g) were fed twice per day at 3% of body weight with positive control diet (T1, 46% protein and 46% fish meal, FM), negative control diet (T2, 43% protein and 23% FM), or three other test diets supplemented with either 0.2% coated-Met (T3), 0.125% MHA-Ca (T4), or 0.1% dl-Met (T5) to the T2 basal formulation, respectively. The feeding trial was conducted in 15 350-L plastic containers with three replicates per dietary treatment. The results showed that the highest and lowest percentage weight gain (1023.5 ± 18.2 versus 882.1 ± 14.5%) and feed efficiency (87.2 ± 0.94 versus 81.4 ± 0.4%) were observed in turtles fed the T1 and T2 diet ( P < 0.05), respectively. Significant improvement in weight gain was observed in turtles fed diets with Met supplementation, irrespective of source, compared with turtles fed the T2 diet. It was observed that dietary MHA-Ca had similar efficacy compared with dl-Met in terms of growth performance and feed utilization efficiency of the turtles ( P > 0.05). Protein utilization efficiency was significantly higher in turtles fed T4 or T5 diet compared to the T2 diet. Whole body protein content (17.0 to 17.4% on a wet weight basis) in turtles fed with Met-added diets was comparable to those of turtles fed the T1 diet which were significantly higher compared to T2-fed turtles. Antioxidant defense system enzymes, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase showed the highest activity, 658.8 ± 17.9 U/mL and 642.8 ± 17.5 μmol/L, respectively, in the serum of turtle fed the MHA-Ca supplemented diet and was significantly higher compared to turtles fed the T2 or T3 diet. The present results showed that P. sinensis are able to effectively use added MHA-Ca and dl-Met in low protein and low FM diets to enhance growth, feed utilization efficiency, nitrogen retention, and antioxidant defense system enzyme activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four isocaloric‐isonitrogenous diets containing 0, 50, 100 and 190 g/kg corn protein concentrate (CPC) as replacement for dietary fish meal were fed to Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings for 8 weeks. Tilapia growth parameters were not significantly (p > .05) different in fish fed diets with 0, 50 and 100 g/kg CPC and found to be superior compared to those fed on 190 g/kg CPC. Fish dressing ratios and body composition were similar among all treatments. The electron microscope indicated that the stomach size of control fish was slightly smaller and the wall was thinner while the stomach of the fish fed all other levels of CPC undergone a remarkable size increase and their walls were thicker after feeding diets with CPC. Total aerobic bacterial and coliform counts were significantly decreased in fish intestine when fed diets with 100 and 190 g/kg CPC compared with fish fed diets with 0 g/kg or 50 g/kg CPC. This study indicates that it is possible to replace up to 534 g/kg of dietary fish meal in tilapia fingerlings using 100 g/kg of CPC without any negative effect on fish growth and proximate body composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was designed to evaluate the effect of dietary L-lysine supplementation on growth performance and feed utilization of African catfish fingerlings fed diet containing high levels of slaughterhouse poultry by-product meal (SPB). Control diet (CD) without amino acid supplementation or SPB inclusion contained 40% of fish meal (FM) and 20% of soybean meal (SBM), four isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets formulated to represent two levels of SPB (50% and 75%) with two levels of L-lysine supplementation (0.0 and 1.0%), SPB50%0.0, SPB50%1.0, SPB75%0.0and SPB75%1.0, where the subscripts and superscripts refer to the replacement level of FM with SPB and L-lysine supplementation level respectively. Growth performance and feed utilization in terms of final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI), and specific growth rate (SGR) tended to decrease as SPB levels increased from 50% to 75% with or without L-lysine supplementation. Protein retention (PR) was not significantly different between fish fed CD and those fed SPB50%0.0. Energy retention (ER) was not significantly different between fish fed CD and those fed SPB50%0.0and SPB75%1.0. Lipid, protein, moisture, and ash of fish fed the experimental diets were not statistically significantly different than the control diet. The partial replacement of FM at the rate 50% and 75% with SPB is possible in diets for African catfish, especially with 1% L-lysine supplementation, and could match growth performance of FM diets, as well as minimize feed cost and improve profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative study on the volatile compounds in cooked muscle of wild and farmed large yellow croaker ( LYC) was conducted. The two farmed LYC groups were fed with diets containing 44% ( CF) and 25% ( LF) of fish meal ( FM) respectively. Results showed that 48 volatiles, including aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, hydrocarbons, aromatics, acids, esters, furans and miscellaneous compound, were detected in cooked fillets. The LF group had significantly lower amounts of total aldehydes and ketones, higher content of miscellaneous compound in cooked fillets than that in the CF and wild groups ( p < .05). Compared with the wild group, the LF group had significantly lower amounts of total alcohols, acids and esters, while the CF group had significantly lower amounts of total aldehydes, higher content of total ketones in cooked muscle ( p < .05). According to the principal component analysis ( PCA), some volatiles (propanal, nonanal, etc.) could be considered as sensitive indicators to classify cooked muscle samples. In conclusion, differences in the volatiles in the cooked muscle between the wild and farmed LYC have been found. Low level of dietary FM (25%) changed the volatile profiles in cooked fillets of farmed LYC. A PCA may be useful to screen potential volatiles to classify cooked muscle samples in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to determine the possibility of replacing the commercial fish meal (FM) with the locally produced fish by-product meal (FBPM) in the diets for red tilapia (phenotypically Oreochromis niloticus) fry (body weight ~0.54 g). Five isoproteic and isolipidic experimental diets with 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% inclusion levels of FBPM were formulated and hand-fed to triplicate groups of fish (20 fish/group) twice a day. After 6 weeks, fish fed FBPM 50 attained the highest final body weight (4.7±0.3 g; mean ±SD), weight gain (764.8±47.2%), specific growth rate (5.1±0.1%/day), feed intake (7.2±0.4 g/fish), protein efficient ratio (1.7±0.2), and the best feed conversion ratio (0.9±0.1). All fish fed FBPM-based diets also attained the better survival (93-95%) than those fed control diet (83%). Since FBPM is a by-product of marine fisheries industry, it should be considered as a major protein source in the diets for red tilapia fry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the this study, we evaluated the effect of replacement of fish meal by a marine microalgae Spirulina platensis on growth, digestive enzyme activities, fatty acid composition and responses to ammonia and hypoxia stress in Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (2.6 ± 0.2 g). Experimental diets contained S. platensis at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% replacement levels. After 8 weeks of feeding trial, growth parameters and proximate body composition were not significantly different among treatments ( p > .05). Amylase and lipase activities did not show any significant differences between control group and other experimental diets ( p > .05), while activities of trypsin and chymotrypsin were significantly higher in shrimp fed diet with 50% substitution of microalgae compared to control group. Fatty acid contents, particularly polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs) including arachidonic acid ( ARA), docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA), were significantly higher in control diet compared to other experimental diets. On the contrary, the majority of fatty acids including the contents of PUFAs in the whole body of L. vannamei fed with different levels of S. platensis were significantly higher compared to those of control group. After 48-h exposure to ammonia, survival per cent was not statistically different between all groups ( p > .05), but in hypoxia challenge, the survival per cent of control group was significantly less than that of treatments fed diets contained S. platensis ( p < .05). Altogether, our results demonstrated the effectiveness of S. platensis as a reliable protein source for substitution of fish meal in shrimp aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary fishmeal ( FM) replacement by a mixture of rapeseed meal and Chlorella meal ( RCM) on growth performance, apparent digestibility coefficients ( ADCs), digestive enzymatic activities and intestinal histology of crucian carp Carassius auratus gibelioi. Five isonitrogenous diets were formulated to replace 0% ( RCM0), 25% ( RCM25), 50% ( RCM50), 75% ( RCM75), and 100% ( RCM100) of protein from fishmeal with RCM respectively. Each experimental diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups with 25 juvenile fish (initial body weight: 1.77 ± 0.04 g) per fibreglass tank for 6 weeks. With increasing substitution levels, weight gain rate, specific growth rate, feed intake and protein efficiency ratio increased, but feed conversion rate decreased. Dietary RCM substitution improved lipid content of muscle, but had no significant effect on other proximate composition of muscle and liver. ADCs of dry matter, protein, lipid, energy and the majority of amino acids increased with increasing substitution level, and digestive enzyme activities (amylase, trypsin and lipase) in intestine showed the similar trend with ADCs. Dietary RCM substitution had no significant adverse effect on intestinal histology. This study indicated that FM protein could be completely replaced by mixed protein sources ( RCM) in crucian carp diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Physiological effects from supplementation of blue mussel meal (BM) were investigated. • Inclusion of BM in salmon diet maintained the n-3 PUFA level in the salmon fillet. • Inclusion of BM in mouse diet improved the n-3/n-6 PUFA ratio in mouse liver. • No BM-induced adverse effects were observed in the mouse model of obesity. Alternative feed ingredients for farmed salmon are warranted due to increasing pressure on wild fish stocks. As locally farmed blue mussels may represent an environmentally sustainable substitute with a lower carbon footprint, we aimed to test the potential and safety of substituting fish meal with blue mussel meal in feed for Atlantic salmon. Salmon were fed diets in which fish meal was partially replaced with blue mussel meal in increments, accounting for up to 13.1 % of the ingredients. Fillets from the salmon were subsequently used to prepare obesity-promoting western diets for a 13-weeks mouse feeding trial. In a second mouse trial, we tested the effects of inclusion of up to 8% blue mussel meal directly in a meat-based western diet. Partial replacement of fish meal with blue mussel meal in fish feed preserved the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content in salmon fillets. The observed blue mussel-induced changes in the fatty acid profiles in salmon fillets did not translate into similar changes in the livers of mice that consumed the salmon, and no clear dose-dependent responses were found. The relative levels of the marine n-3 fatty acids, EPA, and DHA were not reduced, and the n-3/n-6 PUFA ratios in livers from all salmon-fed mice were unchanged. The inclusion of blue mussel meal in a meat-based western diet led to a small, but dose-dependent increase in the n-3/n-6 PUFA ratios in mice livers. Diet-induced obesity, glucose intolerance, and hepatic steatosis were unaffected in both mice trials and no blue mussel-induced adverse effects were observed. In conclusion, our results suggest that replacing fish meal with blue mussel meal in salmon feed will not cause adverse effects in those who consume the salmon fillets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of novel ingredients such as green pea protein and Ascophyllum nodosum , a brown seaweed for the replacement of fish meal in feeds suitable for organic production. The growth, feed utilization and fillet composition of gilthead seabream were examined under a lab scale trial and based on the results a large-scale field trial was conducted in the facilities of Galaxidi marine farms in order to compare a novel feed with a typical commercial feed suitable for organic production. Final weight, growth rate and somatic indices of the fish fed these alternative ingredients did not show significant differences compared to the control group fed the commercial diet. Muscle protein content was higher in the fish fed the higher inclusion level of green pea protein, whereas lipid content was lower in both experimental diets. Fatty acid composition, in terms of n-3 and n-6 polyusaturated (PUFA), eicosapentanoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid content was higher in the muscle of the fish fed the experimental diets. In the case of the liver, the fatty acid profile reflected the feed composition, and the fish fed the diet with an inclusion of 19% green pea protein showed a lower content of protein and a higher content of n-6 PUFA, and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). In view of the results obtained, the ingredients assayed in this study could be used in organic feed formulations as alternatives to fish meal obtained from trimmings since no negative effects were detected neither on fish growth, muscle composition, fish health nor end product quality and nutritional value. • Green Pea Protein can be included up to 25% in organic feeds for gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata • Seabream growth and conversion using this new organic ingredient are similar to those obtained using a commercial feed • The addition of seaweed meal as a supplement can also contribute to the growth, health status and final composition of organic gilthead sea bream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A ten-week feeding trail was conducted to investigate the effects of increasing DL-methionine (Met) supplementation on the success of fish meal ( FM) replacement with plant proteins in practical diets for juvenile gibel carp, Carassius auratus gibelio. Twelve isoenergetic diets were formulated including two 150 g kg−1 FM diets (Diet 1-positive control 1 reflecting a commercial diet and Diet 2-positive control 2 reflecting a commercial diet but with balanced essential amino acid ( EAA) profile) and ten 50 g kg−1 FM diets (negative controls) supplemented with graded levels (0-3.0 g kg−1) of DL-Met (Diets 3-12). Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of gibel carp, near satiation four times daily for 10 weeks. Diet 2 with balanced EAA profile produced better final weight, specific growth rate ( SGR) and feed conversion ratio ( FCR) than the negative control diet containing no supplemental Met (Diet 3), but did not significantly differ from Diet 1. However, DL-Met supplementation (0.5-3.0 g kg−1) in the negative control diets (Diets 4-12) produced growth performances similar to those fed the positive control diets (Diets 1 and 2). Based on quadratic regression analysis, the optimal dietary Met level with 5.2 g kg−1 of dietary cysteine (Cys) was found to be 7.1 g kg−1 dry diet for SGR and FCR. The corresponding total sulphur amino acid requirements (Met + Cys) of this species were calculated to be 12.3 g kg−1 dry diet for SGR and FCR. DL-Met supplementation in 50 g kg−1 FM diets showed a decreasing trend in plasma cholesterol contents ( p < .05). No significant differences were observed in whole-body composition, plasma protein, triglyceride and free EAA contents among dietary treatments, while plasma aspartate transaminase, albumin and ammonia contents were significantly influenced by dietary Met levels. Juvenile gibel carp grew equally well on 150 g kg−1 FM diet or 50 g kg−1 FM diets balanced for EAA profile with supplemental amino acids. The results of this study overall indicate that balancing dietary amino acid levels with DL-Met supplementation is a key strategy in successfully reducing FM levels in the diets of gibel carp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to describe changes in the activity of digestive enzymes of the zebra cichlid, Archocentrus nigrofasciatus, from hatching until 30 d after hatch (d.a.h.), and to evaluate the effects of feeding diets with different levels of fishmeal ( FM) substitution with alternative nonanimal protein sources from 30 d.a.h. up to the age of 60 d.a.h. Results indicated that the developmental patterns of digestive enzymes from the exocrine pancreas and intestine are similar to those of other phylogenetically close cichlids, although they seemed to develop faster than other species as indicated by the peaks in enzyme activity, which were detected at younger stages of development. The 100% FM replacement with different alternative nonanimal protein sources had a negative impact on the growth performance of A. nigrofasciatus juveniles, whereas fish fed the diet with a 50% FM replacement showed similar results to those fed the 100% FM diet. Fish showing the lowest growth rate had also the lowest enzyme activity, especially in relation to the intestinal brush border enzymes. This study assesses the digestive capabilities and nutritional condition of the zebra cichlid fish and provides knowledge on the potential for FM substitution in their feeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviewed research on the use of non-conventional protein sources of plant origin for poultry in Nigeria and other neighbor countries. As the cost of compounded feed continues being a burden for the Nigerian farmers due to the current high cost of conventional protein sources such as fishmeal, groundnut cake and soybean meal, it is very urgent to explore the potentials of non-conventional alternative sources of protein, especially the leaf meals of some plants, such as Moringa oleifera, Leucaena leucocephala, Manihot esculenta, Carica papaya and other leguminous fodders which can, to some extent, replace the inclusion of the conventional sources of proteins. These non-conventional alternative protein sources have excellent nutritive value and therapeutic properties. Their crude protein contents are excellent. It is apparent from the previous several studies that inclusion of these non-conventional protein sources in poultry diets improves performance of chickens in terms of growth rate and egg production. However, their recommended inclusion levels should strictly adherein order to avoid any form of deleterious effects they may likely confer on poultry. For instance, the up to 10% inclusion of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) in the diets of laying hens has been regarded to be safe. Hence, their inclusion in poultry feeds without posing any deleterious effects to the birds' performances as well as the consumers of the products, and ultimately, leading to better profitability on the part of the farmers, will be a novelty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 59-days feeding trial was carried out to estimate the effects of fish meal replacement by defatted black soldier fly larvae meal (DBSFLM) on growth performance, antioxidate enzyme activities, digestive enzyme activities, hepatopancreas and intestinal morphology in Jian carp ( Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) juveniles (initial mean body weight, 34.78 g). Five isolipidic (5.29 ± 0.04%) and isoprotein (40.69 ± 0.11%) diets were formulated by replacing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% fish meal (FM) protein with graded DBSFLM levels of 0%, 2.6%, 5.3%, 7.9% and 10.6%. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 20 fish per aquarium. Fish were fed three times daily to apparent satiation. The results showed that the growth performance and nutrients utilization of fish in five groups were not different ( P > 0.05). The hepatopancreas lipid and serum cholesterol content of treated groups was significantly lower than that of the control group ( P < 0.05). With increasing dietary DBSFLM level, the activity of the CAT significantly increased. No significant differences in the activity of intestinal protease, lipase and diastase were observed among dietary groups ( P > 0.05). The histological examination of intestine showed that when 75% or more FM protein was replaced, apparent pathological changes for example tissue disruption were observed in intestine, and relative gene expression of HSP70 in hepatopancreas significantly increased ( P < 0.05). The histological examination of hepatopancreas sections showed less vacuolated with lipid deposits in treatment groups compared with control group. These results suggested that the growth of Jian carp was not affected by dietary DBSFLM, while it boosted antioxidant status of Jian carp by higher CAT activity. However, dietary stress and intestinal histopathological damage was observed when the replacement levels exceeded 75%. The study demonstrates that it is suitable to replace up to 50% of dietary FM protein with DBSFLM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish meal is an accepted ingredient in compound feed. Unauthorised application is primarily enforced by visual inspection, i.e., microscopy. In order to document the visually available diversity, fragments of bones and scales of 17 teleost fish species belonging to seven different orders were investigated for their diversity in the presence of structural elements: lacunae and canaliculae in bone fragments and type of growth rings and teeth of scale fragments. Despite the classical division into cellular bones and acellular bones of teleost fish, i.e., whether or not possessing osteocytes, the current examinations revealed patterns of lacunae, in some types accompanied with canaliculae, in all 17 species investigated. In total seven types of bone structures were defined, and six types of scale structures. Profiles with the relative frequency of each bone type per species were established. The share of acellular bone fragments appeared to be related to the evolutionary position of the species. Results of proficiency tests for the detection of fish meal reveal that in most cases the sensitivity and specificity for the detection of fish meal ranges from sufficient to perfect. Only some specified circumstances can hamper proper recognition and identification, most notably salmon bone fragments mimicking bone fragments from terrestrial animals, and pieces of hydrolysed proteins or minerals mimicking acellular fish bone fragments. The expertise gained in this study would help to improve the distinction between fish meal and terrestrial animal material in compound feed, and it supports the application of the species-to-species ban with respect to the valorisation of by-products from fish farms in aquafeed. In a broader perspective, the current expertise might be helpful to detect fraud throughout the feed/food production chain. The matrix of characteristics versus species is implemented in a data model running in the expert system ‘Determinator’ for facilitating identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of light microscopy with differential staining techniques for the discrimination of insect material from marine arthropods – classified as fishmeal. Specifically, three samples of single-species insect material,Hermetia illucens(HI),Bombyx mori(BM) andTenebrio molitor(TM), and two samples of marine arthropods, shrimp material and krill, were analysed and compared after staining by two reagents to enhance fragment identification. Alizarin Red (AR) and Chlorazol Black (CB), which react respectively with calcium salts and chitin, were tested for their potential efficacy in distinguishing between insect and marine materials. Results indicated that AR failed to stain HI, BM and TM materials. By contrast, the three insect species materials tested were stained by CB. When shrimp fragments and krill were considered, AR and CB stained marine materials reddish-pink and light blue to black, respectively. By combining these results, it can be suggested that CB staining may efficiently be used to mark insect materials; AR does stain shrimp fragments but does not stain the tested insect material, indicating a possible approach for discriminating between insects and marine arthropods. However, since the present study was performed on pure materials and a small set of samples, possible implementation of this technique still needs to be confirmed in complex matrices such as compound feed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A 12-wk feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of the dietary fishmeal analogue ( FMA) adding 2% shrimp soluble extract ( SSE) on growing rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Fish averaging 146 ± 3.8 g (mean ± SD) were randomly distributed into 500-L aquaria as groups of 20 fish per tank. Fish were fed the experimental diets in triplicate groups to apparent satiation twice a day on a dry matter basis. Each group was fed one of the four experimental diets: control (FM100% + FMA0%), FMA0 (FM100% + FMA0% + SSE2%), FMA12 (FM88% + FMA12% + SSE2%), and FMA24 (FM76% + FMA24% + SSE2%). After the feeding trial, weight gain and specific growth rate of fish fed the FMA0 and FMA12 diets were significantly higher than those of fish fed the FMA24 diet ( P < 0.05). Feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio values of fish fed the control, FMA0, and FMA12 diets were significantly higher than those of fish fed the FMA24 diet ( P < 0.05). The values of superoxide dismutase activity showed significantly higher amounts for the FMA0, FMA12, and FMA24 groups than the control group ( P < 0.05). Lysozyme activity in the FMA12 group was significantly higher than in the control group ( P < 0.05). Therefore, according to our results, FMA with additive SSE can be used up to 12% as a substitute of fishmeal for growing rainbow trout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total replacement of fishmeal using marine co-product meals in the diets for white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and its effects on growth, feed utilization and muscle HUFA and sterol composition were assessed in a 45-day feeding trial with juvenile shrimp (0.32 g mean initial weight). Eight dietary treatments were tested: a control diet containing fishmeal ( FM), a commercial shrimp diet as external reference and six diets where the FM in the control diet was totally replaced by pen shell scallop viscera ( Pinna rugosa), squid viscera ( Dosidicus gigas) or whole chub mackerel ( Scomber japonicus) meals, produced by two methods: (i) cooking followed by grinding and drying and (ii) grinding followed by drying. Survival in all treatments was above 92%, except in the commercial diet (77%). The growth response, feed utilization and chemical composition of shrimp varied among the treatments and were affected in different ways by the by-products and the meals preparation process. Growth and feed intake were significantly higher in shrimp fed diets containing cooked-dried squid and pen shell scallop viscera meals, and whole mackerel meal produced by grinding followed by drying. Muscle fatty acid profiles were improved for human consumption when these ingredients were used, compared with the diets containing FM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was conducted with a view to produce a female-free population and to test the heredity of body colour in tilapia. In this study, 6-day-old red tilapia were fed diets incorporated with 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg diet of a synthetic androgen, 17α-methyltestosterone (17α-MT), for 30 days. Administration was followed by 120 days of rearing in nylon hapas where hormone-free diet was given. At the end of the 120-day rearing, 17α-MT at 50 ppm induced 100% sex reversal, whereas 25, 75 and 100 mg/kg resulted in incomplete sex reversal. Immersion of newly hatched red tilapia fry in an aqueous solution of 17α-MT at 200 μg/L for 1 h produced 73% males; however, when given to 2-day-old fry, it yielded 78% males. The results indicate that oral administration of 17α-MT is more effective than treatment by immersion to produce male dominant red tilapia populations. Treatment of red tilapia with the androgen did not indicate any definite trend in the gonado-somatic index of both males and females. The results of progeny testing indicate that red tilapia does not belong to either XX-XY or WZ-ZZ sex determination systems, the two most common sex determination systems that exist in fish. When mating, Oreochromis mossambica (black tilapia) and red hybrid tilapia produced F progeny with a brown colour, the intermediate colour between the two parental body colours. When F hybrids were interbred, the three phenotypes got separated in the F generation with a 1 black/2 brown/1 red phenotypic ratio as expected of a single autosomal gene with incomplete dominant gene action. The importance of monosex male red tilapia farming and body colour inheritance is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of partially replacing dietary fish meal (FM) with soy protein concentrate (SPC) on growth, body composition, digestive enzyme activities, and nutrient digestibility of white shrimp. Five isonitrogenous diets with SPC inclusion levels of 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0%, were prepared to replace 0.0, 12.5, 25.0, 37.5, and 50.0% FM in basal diet containing 20.0% FM, respectively, and fed to white shrimp with an initial body weight of 1.80 g. After 49 days feeding, 5.0% SPC diet did not affect the growth of white shrimp ( P > 0.05), but weight gain was decreased ( P < 0.05) and the apparent digestibility of dry matter and protein and hepatopancreas protease activity were decreased ( P < 0.05) by the inclusion of 7.5% or 10.0% SPC. With the increase of dietary SPC level, the whole-body crude protein content, serum triglycerides, and cholesterol contents decreased ( P < 0.05), while the whole-body lipid content increased ( P < 0.05). Muscle amino acids showed no significant differences ( P > 0.05) among treatments except glycine (Gly). The above results indicated that 25% FM could be substituted by SPC, and the SPC inclusion level was 5% without negative effects on the growth of white shrimp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extruded and pelleted feeds were fed with different amounts (100, 90, 80, and 70% of satiation) to channel catfish (42 g initial weight) and the effects on growth, nutrient retention, and serum biochemistry were examined. The two feeds were designed with the same formula (containing 308 g kg crude protein and 53 g kg crude lipid), and were fed to eight treatments of fish (pelleted feed with a satiation of 100, 90, 80, 70% and extruded feed with a satiation of 100, 90, 80, 70%) with triplicate cage per treatment (20 fish per cage) for 10 weeks. The results indicated that weight gain (WG) of the eight groups were 371.1, 328.1, 302.1, 281.1 and 370.5, 334.0, 311.0, 285.3%, respectively. The fish fed extruded and pelleted feed at the same feeding rate showed no significant differences in growth performance, whole-body composition, and nutrient retention ( P > 0.05). In both extruded and pelleted feeds, WG, feed conversion ratio (FCR), intraperitoneal fat ratio (IFR), whole-body lipid content, lipid retention (LR), and serum triglyceride (TG) content decreased ( P < 0.05), but protein retention (PR) increased from 35.3 to 39.4% in pelleted feeds and from 35.9 to 39.7% in extruded feeds with the decrease of feeding rate from satiation (100%) to 70% of satiation ( P < 0.05). The above results demonstrated that channel catfish fed extruded feed had the similar growth to that fed pelleted feed with the same formula. The utilization of protein and feed could be improved by the reduced feeding rate from satiation (100%) to 70% of satiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soya bean meal-based formulated feeds have recently become available for snakehead culture in Vietnam. This study was conducted to determine the appropriate replacement of fish meal ( FM) protein by another soya product, soya protein concentrate ( SPC), in snakehead ( Channa striata) diets. Five iso-nitrogenous (45% crude protein) and iso-caloric (19 KJ g−1) practical diets were formulated to replace 0% (control), 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% of protein FM by protein SPC (100% FM, 40% SPC, 60% SPC, 80% SPC and 100% SPC respectively). A digestibility experiment was also conducted with the same formulated diets with addition of 1% chromic oxide. Fish fed 100% FM and 40% SPC diets had significantly better growth and survival compared with other treatments. Feed intake, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and net protein utilization, trypsin and chymotrypsin activities of experimental fish fed 100% FM and 40% SPC diets were significantly higher than those fed other diets. The apparent digestibility coefficient ( ADC) of the diet and diet components, ADCdiet, ADCprotein and ADClipid, of fish fed diet 40% SPC and 100% FM treatment were significantly higher than those of other treatments. The cost/kg fish produced in diets 100% FM and 40% SPC was much lower compared with other treatments. Dietary inclusion levels of SPC in diet above 40% significantly affected fish survival, growth, digestibility and trypsin and chymotrypsin activities, although fish chemical composition was not greatly affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria is a piscivorous fish that is highly desirable as food. To ascertain the relationship of dietary protein, lipid and carbohydrate, eleven diets containing fishmeal, fish oil and wheat flour as test ingredients at different levels were formulated. The levels were chosen according to mixture experiment methodology, which varies the proportion of each test ingredient, while keeping their sum constant across all diets. The range of levels used in the test diets were as follows: fishmeal 430-600 g kg−1, fish oil 100-270 g kg−1 and wheat flour 30-200 g kg−1. The sum of the test ingredients accounted for 900 g kg−1 of all diets, with the remaining 100 g kg−1 accounting for mineral and vitamin premix, binders, attractant, etc. Each diet, plus a commercial feed, was fed to three tanks of juvenile sablefish by hand twice daily for 11 weeks, using a completely random design. It was found that growth and feed efficiency were maximized by the highest dietary inclusion level of fish oil and fishmeal, corresponding to the lowest wheat flour level, that is 600 g kg−1 fishmeal, 270 g kg−1 fish oil and 30 g kg−1 wheat flour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relative contribution of the dietary nitrogen supplied by fish meal and a biofloc meal to the growth of Pacific white shrimp was evaluated using stable isotope analysis. Biofloculated material was obtained from an experimental tilapia culture system. Five formulated diets were supplied. Two of them consisted in isotopic controls having only fish meal or biofloc meal as protein source. Three mixed diets were formulated with varying proportions of these ingredients on a dietary nitrogen basis (75:25, 50:50 and 25:75). At the end of the trial, survival rates were similar (92-100%) but significant differences in mean final weight were observed and a negative correlation between the inclusion of biofloc meal and weight gain was evidenced. Mean final weight in shrimp fed on diet containing only fish meal was 2.8 g, while mean final weight of animals fed on diet containing 50% biofloc was 1.9 g. Isotopic mixing models indicated that all diets contributed higher proportions of dietary nitrogen from fish meal than from biofloc meal. Dietary nitrogen available in diets containing 25%, 50% and 75% of biofloc meal was incorporated in muscle tissue as 5%, 41% and 64% respectively. Diet supplying 25% of nitrogen from biofloc was the only mixed diet eliciting growth comparable to diet containing only fish meal. Lower growth and nitrogen deposition in shrimp fed on diets containing high proportions of biofloc meal were possibly associated to the use of only two protein sources and a restriction of essential amino acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study comprised a 2 × 2 factorial array of dietary treatments offered to male Ross 308 broiler chicks from 15 to 28 days post-hatch. The dietary treatments consisted of a sorghum-soybean meal diet in which either sorghum was partially substituted by maize starch (200 g/kg) or soybean meal was partially substituted by fishmeal (175 g/kg). Growth performance, nutrient utilisation, digesta retention times in four small intestinal segments, starch and protein (N) digestibility coefficients and disappearance rates (g/bird/day) and starch:protein disappearance rate ratios in four small intestinal segments were determined. The partial substitution of soybean meal by fishmeal had the more profound effects on the parameters assessed as fishmeal inclusions improved weight gain by 12.1% (1260 versus 1124 g/bird, P < 0.001) and FCR by 8.13% (1.299 versus 1.414, P < 0.001). This substitution significantly enhanced starch digestibility coefficients in four small intestinal segments culminating in an increase of 18.9% (0.937 versus 0.788; P < 0.001) in the distal ileum. The partial substitution of soybean meal by fishmeal significantly increased digesta retention time in the small intestine from 210 to 289 min. Starch digestibility was significantly correlated with growth performance (weight gain, FCR) and energy utilisation (AME, ME:GE ratios, AMEn) and these parameters were all significantly enhanced by the fishmeal substitution. Consideration is given to the possible mechanisms whereby the partial substitution of soybean meal by fishmeal promoted starch digestibility and energy utilisation and growth performance. Instructively, starch:protein disappearance rate ratios in the proximal jejunum were quadratically related to weight gain (r = 0.849; P < 0.001) and FCR (r = 0.838; P < 0.001) such that a ratio of 3.59:1 would generate the maximum weight gain of 1265 g/bird and a ratio of 3.88:1 would generate the minimum FCR of 1.287. These relationships emphasise the importance of digestive dynamics and in these examples there was an ideal balance between the bilateral bioavailabilities of starch and protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) meal, produced from the larvae of Hermetia illucens, has shown promise as a fish meal (FM) replacement in diets for rainbow trout, catfish and tilapia, but has not been examined as an alternative protein source in shrimp diets. Six isonitrogenous (35% crude protein, as fed) and isoenergetic (16.7 kJ available energy g − 1 of diet) diets containing graded levels of BSFL as replacements for protein from menhaden FM were fed to juvenile (1.24 g ± 0.01; mean ± SE) Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei . Diet 1 (the control) was formulated similar to a commercial shrimp diet containing 25% menhaden FM and 23% soybean meal. Diets 2–6 were formulated as a dose-response series that progressively replaced protein from menhaden FM with BSFL meal at inclusion rates of 7%, 14%, 21%, 28%, and 36% of diet; this equated to progressively replacing 16.5% of dietary protein provided by menhaden FM. Diets were fed to juvenile shrimp stocked into eighteen 110-L saltwater aquaria (30 ppt) (three replicates per dietary treatment) at a density of 15 shrimp per aquarium (50/m 2 ) for 63 days. Nonlinear and spline regression analysis of responses indicated that the maximum level of BSFL meal inclusion varied significantly with the response being modeled. Generally, without modification of the ingredient or replacement diet nutrient profiles, 95% to 100% of most growth responses, i.e., shrimp final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, and food conversion, could be obtained if replacement of FM by BSFL meal was limited to < 25% of the diet, depending on performance measure. Similarly, 95% or greater of maximum whole-body protein and lipid content could be achieved when BSFL inclusion was restricted to < 29% and 15%, respectively. Comparison of amino acid profiles in the test diets with recent requirement estimates for limiting amino acids in BSFL meal also suggest future strategies for increasing dietary substitution of FM with BSFL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A shrimp protein hydrolysate ( SPH) containing 894.2 g kg−1 crude protein ( CP) and 54.3 g kg−1 total lipids was tested as a partial replacement for fish meal ( FM) in diets of juvenile cobia. The effects of increasing dietary levels of SPH on the survival, weight gain ( WG), specific growth rate ( SGR), feed conversion ratio ( FCR), nitrogen retention efficiency ( NRE) and daily feed intake ( DFI) of cobia with initial body weight of 11.9 g were evaluated. Four isoproteic (from 431.1 to 439.7 g kg−1) and isoenergetic (20 825-21 347 MJ kg−1) diets were formulated to contain 0 (Control), 120, 240 or 360 g kg−1 of dietary CP derived from SPH. Survival, WG, SGR, FCR, NRE and DFI ranged from 90 to 100%, 40.2-56.5 g, 4.7-6.1% day−1, 1.04-1.54, 26.3-44.0% and 4.7-6.0% fish−1 day−1 respectively. Survival and DFI were not affected by the dietary treatments. On the other hand, fish fed the control diet and the one containing 120 g kg−1 SPH had higher WG, SGR and FCR. Nitrogen retention efficiency was significantly higher for fish fed diets 0 and 120. It is concluded that up to 120 g kg−1 of SPH in cobia diets can be used with no significant effects on feed utilization and fish performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofloc (consortium of diverse microorganisms associated to suspending substrates) was developed from waste of shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae culture under low salinity (5 g L−1) to provide an additional nutritious biomass and reduce fishmeal inclusion in feeds in a 28-day indoor shrimp nursery trial conducted in 15 experimental containers (250 L stocked at 600 org m−3). Four experimental diets (isoproteic and isocaloric) containing different percentage of fishmeal: 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% substituted by vegetable meal mix (corn, sorghum and wheat) were formulated and elaborated. A control treatment consisted of a commercial feed. The main water quality parameters were monitored, and no significant differences were found among treatments. The growth and survival were similar among treatments. In general, digestive enzymatic activities showed differences being greater in the biofloc system compared with clear water. It was concluded that low-salinity shrimp nursery could be successfully developed with minimum inclusion of fishmeal in feeds, without significant effect on production response. The adjustment of C : N ratio allowed the increase of microbial biomass in the bioflocs, which contributed to maintain good water quality, provide live food and enhance digestive enzymatic activity of cultured organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effects of soy protein ratio, lipid content and the minimum dietary level of krill meal in plant-based diets over the growth performance and digestibility of Litopenaeus vannamei. Nine plant-based diets varied the soybean meal ( SBM) and soy protein concentrate ( SPC) inclusion ratio at 1 : 2.3, 1 : 1 and 2.5 : 1, and their dietary lipid content at 121.4 ± 9.4, 102.3 ± 1.2, and 79.9 ± 1.2 g kg−1 (in a dry matter basis). An additional diet containing 120 g kg−1 of fish meal (salmon by-product) was used as a control. Krill meal was included at 0, 5, 10, 20 and 30 g kg−1 in a new set of plant-based diets. After 10 weeks in clear-water tanks of 0.5 m3, no effect of SBM: SPC ratio and dietary lipid content was detected on shrimp survival. However, dietary lipid levels of 80 and 121 g kg−1 combined with a high SPC to SBM resulted in the lowest final body weight and the poorest apparent crude protein digestibility, respectively. Krill meal increased feed intake at only 10 g kg−1, while at 20 g kg−1, it accelerated shrimp growth, increased yield and reduced food conversion ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different levels of dietary soybean meal (SBM) as a fish meal (FM) replacer, with and without amino acid supplementation, for whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei reared in the biofloc system was examined in eight weeks of feeding trial. Eight experimental diets consisted of a basal diet with 0% FM replacement by SBM provided in clear sea water without biofloc system (SSW), four diets replacing FM at 0% (S), 33% (S), 67% (S) and 100% (S) by SBM, and three diets replacing FM at 33% (SA), 67% (SA) and 100% (SA) by SBM supplemented with amino acids (methionine and lysine) in the seawater biofloc system. Results of water quality analyses showed significantly lower total suspended solids and nitrate for SSW group than all other treatments. Diets S and SA resulted in higher weight gain and specific growth rate among all groups, with no significant differences with S group. In addition, whole-body protein and amino acid compositions of shrimp fed SSW were lower than most biofloc groups. Haemolymph parameters showed significant differences in total protein, cholesterol and triglyceride between groups S and SSW. Also, superoxide dismutase activity showed a decreasing trend with increasing replacement level. In conclusion, based on these results, SBM could replace up to 33% of FM with or without amino acid supplementation in juvenile whiteleg shrimp diets reared in the biofloc system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimal protein replacement of fish meal (FM) by mackerel condensate (MC) was investigated in giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (0.90 ± 0.01 g initial weight) over a 12-week trial. The experimental diets replaced the FM partially in a baseline FM-based diet (0MC), by substituting MC for 10% (10MC), 20% (20MC), 30% (30MC), 40% (40MC), 50% (50MC) and 60% (60MC) of the FM, and a commercial diet (CD) was included for comparison. The prawn fed with 40MC had superior growth performance and feed utilization. Significant increases in amylase and cellulase-specific activities indicated improved carbohydrate utilization in this dietary group (P < 0.05). The proteolytic activity was maintained through the key gastrointestinal enzymes (pepsin, trypsin and chymotrypsin). A slight improvement in carcass compositions was also observed in the prawns fed 40MC, and the total haemocyte count was significantly increased by this diet, without negative effects on the hepatopancreatic histology. These findings indicate that a 40% protein replacement of FM by MC is optimal for giant freshwater prawn, and similar use of it in the aquafeed of other species appears worth further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the optimum dietary γ-aminobutyric acid ( GABA) level in low fishmeal diet for juvenile Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Six practical diets (449 g kg−1 protein, 87 g kg−1 lipid) supplemented with graded levels of GABA (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 mg kg−1) were formulated. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 shrimps (approximately 0.44 g), and the shrimps were fed four times a day to apparent satiation. Weight gain and gain rate were significantly increased with the supplementation of GABA ( P < 0.05). Hepatosomatic index and survival were also significantly influenced by the dietary GABA levels ( P < 0.05) and show a similar trend to those of growth performance. Insulin and neuropeptide Y concentrations in blood were increased with the supplementation of GABA. In total, 150 mg GABA kg−1-supplemented diets significantly increased the survival after 12, 24 and 36 h of NH3 stress, also increased the total antioxidant capacity, total superoxide dismutase, catalase, antihydroxyl radical and phenoloxidase activities before and after the 36 h NH3 stress compared to basic group. These results clearly indicated that GABA could improve growth performance, antioxidative capacity and resistance against NH3 stress in L. vannamei, and 150 mg kg−1 GABA supplementation was suitable for L. vannamei fed with low fishmeal diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated sunflower seed meal (SSM) as dietary protein replacement of fish meal (FM) for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) juveniles (initial mean weight of 19.8 ± 6.3 g) reared in earthen ponds for 210 days. SSM replaced 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% (i.e., D25, D50, D75, and D100, respectively) of FM in an isonitrogenous and isocaloric diet. The optimum FM replacement level of D25as predicted by the equation y = 177.5 + 26.5x – 7.9x2yielded an optimum weight of about 184 g within 100 days. Thus D25was the most effective SSM level for Nile tilapia growth in earthen ponds. Fish growth declined as SSM exceeded D25. The length-weight relationship (r ≥ 90%) depicted an isometric fish growth. Nutrient utilization parameters were similar in all the diets except for D100. The protein content of fish carcass was highest in the control and D25, while fiber level was highest in D100. Amino acids imbalance and high fiber content could have reduced the fish growth at D50, D75, and D100. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The salmon feed composition has changed the last decade with a replacement of traditionally use of fish oil and fishmeal diets with vegetable ingredients and the use decontaminated fish oils, causing reduced concentrations of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in farmed Norwegian Atlantic salmon. The development of novel salmon feeds has prompted the need for prediction on dioxins and dl-PCB concentrations in future farmed salmon. Prediction on fillet dioxins and dl-PCB concentrations from different feed composition scenarios are made using a simple one-compartmental transfer model based on earlier established dioxin and dl-PCB congener specific uptake and elimination kinetics rates. The model is validated with two independent feeding trials, with a significant linear correlation (r 2 = 0.96, y = 1.0x, p < 0.0001, n = 116) between observed and predicted values. Model fillet predictions are made for the following four scenarios; (1) general feed composition of 1999, (2) feed composition of 2013, (3) future feed composition with high fish oil and meal replacement, (4) future feed composition with high fish oil and meal replacement and decontaminated fish oil. Model predictions of fillet dioxin and dl-PCB concentrations from 1999 (1.05 ng WHO 2005 -TEQs kg −1 ww) and 2013 (0.57 ng WHO 2005 -TEQs kg −1 ww) are in line with the data observed in national surveillance programs of those years (1.1 and 0.52 ng WHO 2005 -TEQs kg −1 ww, respectively). Future use of high replacement and decontaminated oils feeds gave predicted fillet concentrations of 0.27 ng WHO 2005 -TEQs kg −1 ww, which is near the limit of quantification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nematodes Anisakis simplex and Pseudoterranova decipiens , are zoonotic parasites infecting many marine fish and pose a substantial human health risk. Besides being causative agents for gastrointestinal disease after ingestion of a live larva, and an allergic reaction after consuming/handling infected fish, there is proof-of-principle for hidden allergic concerns. Several anisakid allergens are highly resistant, and in this way may be transmitted to meat by use of fishmeal as a feed component for livestock. To consolidate this hypothesis of transmissibility, a controlled chicken feeding trial using Anisakidae-contaminated feed was conducted. Anisakid larvae were collected from codfish and freeze-dried according to fishmeal manufacturing conditions. This larvaemeal was then administered to chickens, and after three weeks of exposure, blood and muscle samples were subjected to a targeted proteomic analysis aiming at detecting anisakid peptides. Results demonstrated that peptides from at least six A. simplex allergens were transferred from the feed to the chicken meat and blood. If future experiments confirm a remaining allergenic potency of these peptides in humans, it would significantly change the importance of these zoonotic nematodes from originally a purely fishborne food risk to potentially a wider risk from several food sources. • Many Anisakis allergens are highly resistant to heating, freezing, and digestion. • Anisakis and Pseudoterranova L3 are present in fish typically converted into fishmeal. • Fishmeal is included in foods for the aquaculture, pig, and poultry sector. • Anisakis allergenic peptides are transferred from animal feed to chicken meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]