Evaluation of the influence of Lupinus angustifolius kernel meal on dietary nutrient and energy utilization efficiency by rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss).

This study examined the utilization efficiencies of three diets when fed to rainbow trout in a 28-day growth study. Each of the diets was fed at one of three ration levels, and an additional starved treatment was also included. The diets differed by an increasing concentration of lupin ( Lupinus angustifolius cv. Myallie) kernel meal (MKM) inclusion. Two lupin kernel meal inclusion levels of 15% (MKM15%) and 30% (MKM30%) were studied. The diets were formulated to equivalent digestible protein and energy specifications based upon the predetermined digestibility values for each of the ingredients used. There were no significant differences in digestible protein level among the diets. However, a significantly higher level of digestible energy of both MKM diets was measured, as well as a significantly higher level of digestible phosphorus in the MKM30% diet. No significant differences between the diets were observed with respect the utilization of dietary digestible energy. Over the full data range, the energy utilization efficiency was described by the linear equation of; y = 0.747 x − 26.174, R² = 0.985. Efficiency of protein utilization over lower digestible protein intake levels was also linear ( y = 0.599 x − 0.142, R² = 0.905), but over the full range was better described by a nonlinear function. The comparison of the three diets in this study shows that the dietary inclusion of lupin kernel had no significant effect on the gain of either protein or lipid energy relative to protein or lipid energy intake, respectively. Protein energy use efficiency constants varied depending on the feed intake level, but were not significantly affected by diet type. The efficiency of use of lipid energy for lipid energy retention was also not affected by diet type. The findings of this study demonstrate that the inclusion of lupin kernel meal, at up to 30% of the diet, does not affect the ability of rainbow trout to utilize the dietary digestible protein and energy of diet in which it is included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]