Carbohydrate in rainbow trout diets. II. Influence of carbohydrate levels on chemical composition and feed utilization of fish from different families

Groups of rainbow trout fingerlings from ten different families were sampled after 12 and 24 weeks feeding on each of three diets which were similar in protein and energy content but had different percentages of metabolizable energy present as carbohydrate: 17, 25 and 38%. Fish fed different diets had the same dressed carcass weights, expressed as percentage of body weight, but fish fed higher carbohydrate diets had heavier livers and a higher percentage of discoloured livers. Chemical analyses of fish bodies showed lower fat and energy but higher protein and ash content for those fed higher carbohydrate diets. Livers contained more fat and carbohydrate but the same dry matter, and faeces showed less dry matter, more protein and the same energy content in fish with higher dietary carbohydrate. Utilization of dietary energy and protein was poorer in fish fed high levels of carbohydrate, but health of all fish appeared good. Little variation between different fish families, and no interaction between fish family and diet was found for any of the above parameters, indicating that prospects for change through selective breeding are poor.     

Effect of varying dietary protein level in different families of rainbow trout

Groups of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) fingerlings from five different families and five inbred groups were fed for 153 days on each of four diets similar in energy content, but differing in their percentage of protein. The protein contents were 24, 33, 42 and 51%, respectively. Significant differences between fish families were found for growth, condition factor, chemical composition of the carcass, and digestibility of protein. At the end of the experiment, interaction between diet fed and family was found close to significance for weight and relative growth rate, and significant for length and condition factor. This interaction indicates that prospects for selectively breeding strains of rainbow trout specifically better able to utilize protein are promising.Fish growth rate increased with increasing dietary protein content. The corresponding condition factor, content of dry matter and energy in the carcass decreased. The high protein diets gave more protein in the carcass and a more discoloured liver than the low protein diets. Apparent protein digestibility increased with increasing protein level.     

Influence of dietary fat and carbohydrate levels on growth and body composition of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss under self-feeding conditions

SUMMARY: An 8-week feeding experiment was conducted to examine the influence of fat and carbohydrate levels in a 40% protein level diet on growth and body composition of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss under self-feeding conditions. Five fish meal-based diets were prepared to include gelatinized potato starch at four levels (9, 18, 27, and 36%) and dextrin (34%). Dietary fat levels were isoenergetically reduced from 18 to 7% by the digestible carbohydrates. Each diet was fed to four replicate groups (28 g/fish, 20–23 fish/group) using self-feeders. Specific growth rate, percentage weight gain and percentage protein retention did not differ between the treatments. Feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratios were higher in the 18% starch (s18) and s27 diet groups, and decreased in higher fat or carbohydrate diet groups. Although gross energy intake (kJ/kg BW per day) decreased as the starch level increased, levels of digestible energy intake did not differ between the treatments. Fat levels in the carcass, viscera and liver decreased as dietary carbohydrate level increased. These results suggest that a 40% protein diet with either 15% fat and 18% starch or 11% fat and 27% starch is appropriate for juvenile rainbow trout under self-feeding conditions.     

Use of Chlorella vulgaris as a carotenoid source for rainbow trout: effect of dietary lipid content on pigmentation, digestibility and retention in the muscle tissue

Apparent digestibility, deposition and retention of carotenoids in the muscle of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were investigated comparing the feeding of pigments from Chlorella vulgaris against commercially available pigments at two different total lipid contents (15% and 20% lipid). Algal biomass (ALG) was included in rainbow trout diets and muscle pigmentation was compared to that obtained in trout fed diets containing a 5:3 mixture of canthaxanthin and astaxanthin (MIX) (reflecting the relative concentrations of these carotenoids in the dry alga) or those fed a diet containing astaxanthin only (AST). Apparent digestibilities of pigments and nutrients were determined by the indirect method, using Cr2 O3 as indicator, and the colour intensity and pigment concentration were assessed in the muscle, using the Roche colour card for salmonids and UV-vis spectrophotometry. After 6 weeks feeding, colour intensity was similar for the various pigment sources, achieving levels 12 to 13, yet significantly higher in fish fed the diet with the higher lipid content ( 20%) (p<0.05). Pigment concentration in the muscle was also higher in the fish fed the high-fat diet. Muscle pigment concentrations were similar for fish fed diets ALG and MIX, and over 1.5 times higher than for diet AST (p<0.05) after 6 weeks. Apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, lipid, total energy and specific carotenoid concentrations were also measured. Increased dietary fat content was shown to increase the deposition and the retention of carotenoids in muscle, and the difference increased with time (deposition increase of 10–20% at week 3 and 30–40% at week 6 and retention increase of 10–15% at week 3 and 30% at week 6). Pigment digestibility also apparently increases (10–20%) under those conditions despite the fact that no significant effects in terms of apparent digestibility increase were found for dry matter, protein, lipids or energy. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998     

Evaluation of Soybean Meal-Red Blood Cell Coextruded Feed Ingredient in Diets Fed to Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

Abstract.— Fish meal is one of the predominant sources of crude protein used in practical feeds for most cultured species. However, with overfishing and increasing demand for protein feedstuffs, new competitively priced sources of dietary protein are needed. A coextruded soybean meal-red blood cell (SBM-RBC) ingredient was evaluated as a source of crude protein for rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss . The SBM-RBC ingredient was incorporated at either 0, 21, 42 or 63% of the dietary protein, replacing an isoni-trogenous amount of fish meal. All diets were fed for 8 wk to triplicate groups of juvenile rainbow trout (average initial weight 49.5 g) stocked into a recirculating system consisting of 48, 114-L aquaria. There were no significant differences in weight gain, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, apparent crude protein digestibility, apparent gross energy digestibility, dress-out percentage, or fillet protein and fat concentrations in fish fed any of the experimental diets. Based on these data, extruded SBM-RBC appears to be a suitable ingredient in diets fed to rainbow trout.     

Supplemental effect of bile salts to soybean meal-based diet on growth and feed utilization of rainbow trout <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>

A feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the supplemental effect of bile salts to a defatted soybean meal-based non-fish meal diet for rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. A fish meal-based diet (FM) and two non-fish meal diets with and without bovine bile salts (SC+B and SC, respectively) were fed to fish (13 g initial weight) for 10 weeks. Fish fed diet SC showed inferior growth and feed efficiency, while bile salt supplementation improved the parameters to the same levels as fish fed diet FM. Crude fat and starch digestibility of diet SC-fed fish decreased after the 10-week feeding trial compared to the data obtained with fish that had no experience of the diet. Total biliary bile salt content and intestinal maltase activity of fish fed diet SC were the lowest among treatments, while these parameters were improved by bile salt supplementation. Morphological changes occurred in the distal intestine and liver of the diet SC group, although the histological features of fish fed diet SC+B were similar to those of fish fed diet FM. These results suggest that bile salt supplementation to a soybean meal-based diet improves the nutrient utilization by normalizing digestive processes in rainbow trout.     

Effect of Geotrichum candidum protein substitution in pelleted fish feed on the growth of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Rich.) and on utilization of the diet

Three experiments were conducted with rainbow trout to determine if Geotrichum candidum GC single cell protein could replace 100, 75 or 50% of fish meal in a pelleted diet. When the fish meal was completely replaced by GC the fish growth was retarded after 3 weeks of the experiment. With the larger fish (individual weight 47–54 g) in the short trial there were significant differences between fish fed the control diet (fish meal) and those fed the 75% substitution of GC diet. The most remarkable differences in fish growth appeared in a 42-day trial with small fish (5 g individual weight) when fish groups fed diets with 0.50 and 75% replacement gave significantly different results (P < 0.05), being 93,9, 46.6 and 34.2% gain, with feed coefficients of 1.49, 2.77 and 3.67, respectively. With large fish fed diets with 0,50 and 75% GC replacement, apparent digestibility of protein was 64.7, 68.2 and 37.5%, but fat digestibility was 79.5, 91.1 and 81.0%, respectively. No significant differences in amounts of free plasma amino acid (PAA) were found between rainbow trout fed diets with 0 or 50% substitution, but there was a marked decrease in PAA in the group fed the diet with 75% GC substitution. Analysis of chosen heavy metals was made on diets, fish and faeces, and Cu in particular was found not to be accumulated in the fish body.     

Effect of feeding time on digestibility,growth performance and protein metabolism in the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss: interactions with dietary fat levels

The effect of feeding time was studied in rainbow trout fed different dietary levels of fat. Fish were fed either 1 h after light on in the morning or 1 h after light off in the evening with a low energy diet (LE, 6 % lipid) or a high energy diet (HE, 23 % lipid). Regardless of the diet, apparent digestibility and post-prandial protein synthesis were higher in fish fed in the morning than in those fed at the beginning of the night. In fish fed the LE diet in the morning, growth performance and nutrient retention efficiency tended to be higher than in those fed at the beginning of the night. In contrast, fish fed the HE diet in the morning had lower protein growth rate, protein content and protein retention efficiency than those fed in the evening. These results suggest that protein metabolism might be involved in the effect of feeding time on growth and that there is an interaction between the time of feeding and dietary level of fat on growth.     

Metabolic effects of feeding a high protein/low carbohydrate diet as compared to a low protein/high carbohydrate diet to rainbow troutSalmo gairdneri

Groups of trout were fed either a high protein/low carbohydrate (HP/LC) or a low protein/high carbohydrate (LP/HC) diet for 16 weeks. Fish fed the HP/LC diet had significantly higher levels of protein, ninhydrin positive material and tryptophan in plasma as well as lipid and protein in liver, but lower levels of glucose in plasma, glycogen in liver and a lower hepatosomatic index compared with fish fed the LP/HC diet. There were no differences concentrations of tryptophan or serotonin in the brain of fish fed the different diets. Fish fed the HP/LC diet had significantly lower activities of glycolytic enzymes but higher activities of gluconeogenic enzymes compared with the group fed the LP/HC diet. Those enzymes measured concerned with the TCA cycle or initiating amino acid catabolism were generally unaffected by diet although activities of threonine dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase and glutamate dehydrogenase were higher in those fish fed the HP/LC diet. The data suggest that rainbow trout show little adaptation in activities of amino acid catabolising enzymes to variations in dietary protein intake.     

Influence of dietary fat level and whole-body adiposity on voluntary energy intake by juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) under self-feeding conditions

The influence of dietary fat level and whole‐body adiposity on voluntary energy intake of juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) was examined using self‐feeders. Groups of lean fish [crude fat (CF) = 7%] and fat fish (CF = 11%), pretreated with a commercial diet with or without supplemental pollock oil, were self‐fed one of three fat level diets (CF = 8%, 13.5% and 19%) for 48 days at 17 °C. Final body weight (BW) and total digestible energy (DE) intake (kJ per fish) were positively affected by the initial BW. Relative to the initial BW, however, fat fish consumed less DE than lean fish. Although the effect of dietary fat level was not significant, percentage weight gain and daily DE intake per BW (kJ kg^?1 BW day^?1) of fat fish were significantly lower than those of lean fish (ancova with initial BW as a covariate, P < 0.05). Energy digestibility, feed efficiency and protein retention were improved with the dietary fat level; however, there was no difference resulting from body fat level. The whole‐body fat levels at the end of the experiment increased with the dietary fat level. Between groups self‐fed the same diet, fat levels of the initially fat fish were still higher than those of the lean fish. The results of the present medium‐term study suggest that rainbow trout adjust DE intake from diets with fat levels ranging from 8% to 19%. Although body fat level affects neither energy digestibility nor protein utilization, a high body fat level may reduce DE intake and consequently depress growth.     

Effects of diets containing a bacterial protein meal on growth and feed utilisation in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Triplicate groups of rainbow trout with initial weight 361 g were fed either a fish meal based control diet or diets containing 9, 18 or 27% bacterial protein meal (BPM) or 9% of an autolysate (AU) of the BPM. No significant treatment effects were found on specific growth rates (SGR), feed intake, feed efficiency ratio (FER), or retention of nitrogen, amino acids or energy. The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of nitrogen, energy and most indispensable amino acids decreased when BPM was included in the diet. The ADC of lipid, sum of amino acids, arginine, lysine, threonine and most of the dispensable amino acids were reduced at 27% BPM inclusion compared to the control, 9% and 18% BPM diets. None of the ADC estimated was different in the 9% AU diet compared to the 9% BPM diet. The loss of nitrogen and energy in faeces per kg gain increased as the dietary BPM or AU levels increased, and the energy used for activity and maintenance was higher in fish fed the 27% BPM diet than in fish fed the other diets (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the urea concentrations in plasma, liver and muscle, whereas the uric acid level in plasma was elevated in trout fed the 27% BPM diet. Histological evaluation of tissue from the stomach, pyloric caeca, mid-intestine and distal intestine did not reveal any diet-related morphological changes.In conclusion, no significant differences in growth and feed efficiency were found in the rainbow trout fed diets containing up to 27% BPM, and the AU did not increase fish performance compared to the BPM. Based on the data from this study, at levels up to 27% dietary inclusion, BPM is a good replacement for fish meal in diets for rainbow trout.     

The potential of soya oil industry products as oil alternatives in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) diet

This study investigated the effects of different soya oil products on growth, nutrient digestibility, and fatty acid composition of muscle in rainbow trout. The products’ ingredients were soap stock, fat powder, crude oil, and refined soya oil as a control. Four experimental diets were formulated by addition of 12 % of each of the four ingredients to a basal diet. Replacement of refined soya oil by the soya oil products did not influence growth performance until 8 weeks (P > 0.05). This replacement, however, reduced fat digestibility in rainbow trout (83.7 vs. 73.3–79.8 %; P < 0.05). Dietary inclusions of fat powder and crude oil led to larger values of protein digestibility than those of refined soya oil and soap stock (P < 0.05). The compositions of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids of the muscle were similar, but linoleic acid concentration (LA, 18: 2n-6) increased in fish muscle fed refined soya oil compared to the other diets (37 vs. 30–31 %; P < 0.05). Arachidonic acid (ArA, 20: 4n-6) concentration was higher (P < 0.05) in fish fed both fat powder and soap stock than those fed the other diets. In conclusion, refined soya oil can be replaced by soya oil products in rainbow trout diet with no negative impacts on the growth. However, fish fed on diet containing refined soya oil had higher concentration of LA and lower density of ArA. It appears that rainbow trout is capable of digesting soya oil products though the digestibility rate reduced slightly with an increase in saturated fatty acid content.     

Effect of an alcohol extract from a defatted soybean meal supplemented with a casein-based semi-purified diet on the biliary bile status and intestinal conditions in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

A feeding experiment was conducted to examine the effect of a supplemental ethanol extract from a defatted soybean meal on the biliary bile status and intestinal conditions of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss . A semi-purified control diet based on casein (Cont) and three diets supplemented with the extract (ES), bovine bile salts (BS) and their combination (ESBS) were fed to trout (10 g) for 6 weeks. The growth, feed efficiency ratio, fat digestibility and gallbladder- and hepato-somatic indices of fish fed diet ES decreased. Compared with this group, these parameters were improved in fish fed diet ESBS. The total biliary bile salt content was the lowest in fish fed diet ES and this group had a high proportion of chenodeoxycholyltaurine. The inclusion of the bile salts to diet ES (diet ESBS) increased the total biliary bile salt content. A similar trend was observed in the bile salt concentration of intestinal digesta. Although morphological changes occurred in epithelial cells of the distal intestine of fish fed diet ES, the histological features of fish fed diet ESBS were similar to those of fish fed diet Cont. These results indicate that alcohol-soluble substances of soybean meal cause physiological changes in the biliary bile and intestine of rainbow trout.     

The use of locally produced fish meal and other dietary manipulations in practical diets for rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

The aim of this trial was to compare the performance of rainbow trout fed diets including local or imported fish meal as the main protein sources, and to test the effect of reducing the fish meal content or including a fish protein hydrolysate in the diets. Two experimental diets were formulated to include 35% (diet 2) or 20% (diet 3) of a local processed whole fish meal; two other diets were formulated similar to diets 2 and 3 but with 5% fish protein hydrolysate replacing the same amount of fish meal (diets 4 and 5 respectively); a diet similar to diet 2, but including Norwegian fish meal, was used as a control (diet 1). The growth trial lasted 14 weeks and was carried out in floating net cages (325‐L capacity), with duplicate groups of 20 rainbow trout of an initial average weight of 58 g. The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of the diets were evaluated in a separate laboratory trial. At the end of the growth trial, there were no significant differences in growth rate and protein efficiency ratio among groups. Feed conversion ratios were significantly better in groups fed diets 3, 4 and 5 than in the other groups. Nitrogen retention (% of N intake) was significantly higher in fish fed diets 4 and 5 than in those fed diet 2. There were no significant differences in energy retention (% of energy intake) among groups. At the end of the trial, there were no significant differences among groups in proximate composition of whole fish. The ADC of protein, energy and phosphorus of diets 1 and 2 were significantly lower than those of diets 3 and 5. It was concluded that, under the experimental conditions tested, performance of rainbow trout fed practical diets including good quality local processed fish meal is similar to that of fish fed diets including Norwegian fish meal. A reduction in the fish meal from 35% to 20% of the diet or the inclusion of a fish protein hydrolysate had no negative effects on growth performance and improved feed utilization.     

Effects of dietary phosphorus and lipid levels on utilization and excretion of phosphorus and nitrogen by rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). 1. Laboratory-scale study

Nutritional strategies to reduce both phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) excretion relative to growth of rainbow trout were tested in a 2 × 3 factorial experiment. The two factors were `dietary P level' and `dietary lipid level.' Reduction in dietary P from 14 to 8 g kg^–1 dry diet was achieved by partial substitution of dietary fish meal with a combination of full-fat soyabean meal, corn gluten and spray-dried blood meal. Triplicate tanks of 35 rainbow trout per tank were fed experimental diets for 16 weeks and grew from approximately 40 to 250 g, in 15 °C spring water. All tanks were fed the same percent biomass per day. Diets were isonitrogenous, and dietary energy varied with dietary lipid. Diet digestibility data and results of the experiment were used to construct N and P budgets for the fish fed the various diets. A reduction in dietary fish meal from 500 to 200 g kg^–1 dry diet, corresponding to a reduction in dietary P from 14 to 8 g kg^–1 dry diet, resulted in >50% reductions in both solid and dissolved P waste, but did not affect growth, feed efficiency ratio (FER) or sensory characteristics of rainbow trout. Increasing dietary lipid from 170 to 310 g kg^–1 dry diet led to higher growth rate and FER, and lower total N waste relative to weight gain, but did not change protein retention. Increasing dietary lipid level increased deposition of lipid in whole bodies of rainbow trout, and resulted in discernible differences in sensory characteristics of trout fillets.     

Seasonal production of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), in ponds using different feeding practices

Abstract. In temperate regions of North America, the culture of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), in ponds is constrained to the period mid-November to early April by water temperature. Feeding practice may influence production time. The effects of three feeding practices on growth and body composition of rainbow trout raised in ponds during a 142-day winter growth period were investigated. Feeding practices were (1) hand-feeding to satiation, (2) feeding according to a fish size/water temperature chart, and (3) feeding by demand feeder.
Fish fed to satiation consumed 66% more diet than fish fed according to a feeding chart and 163% more than fish fed by demand feeders. Fish fed to satiation had significantly higher (P < 0·05) weight gain, harvest weight, specific growth rate, and protein gain with no significant increase (P > 0·05) in percentage body fat or feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the other two treatments. Survival percentage did not differ significantly (P > 0·05) between treatments. These data indicate that by using satiation feeding, marketable size rainbow trout can be produced in temperate region ponds without increases in percentage body fat or FCR.     

Effects of dietary protein to metabolizable energy ratios and total protein concentrations on the performance of yellow perch Perca flavescens

Juvenile yellow perch Perca flavescens were fed semipurified diets with varying protein to metabolizable energy ratios (PME, g protein MJ⁻¹ metabolizable energy) and nutrient densities in three experiments to determine recommended dietary protein and energy concentrations. Experiment 1 fish (18.6 g) were fed diets containing 450 g crude protein kg⁻¹ dry diet and 14.5–18.8 MJ ME kg⁻¹ dry diet for 10 weeks. No differences were found in the growth of experiment 1 fish fed the different diets. Experiment 2 fish (21.9 g) were fed diets containing 15.7 MJ ME kg⁻¹ dry diet and 210–420 g crude protein kg⁻¹ dry diet for 8 weeks. Fish fed the diet containing 340 g kg⁻¹ protein (diet PME = 22) exhibited the greatest weight gain. Experiment 3 fish (27.1 g) were fed diets with a PME of 22 and varying nutrient density (yielding 205–380 g crude protein kg⁻¹ dry diet) for 8 weeks. No differences were found in the growth of experiment 3 fish. Yellow perch fed the semipurified diets exhibited increased liver fat content, liver size and degree of liver discoloration compared with fish fed a commercial fish meal-based diet. Liver changes may have resulted from high dietary carbohydrate levels. We conclude that a protein level of 210–270 g kg⁻¹ dry diet is suitable for juvenile yellow perch provided that the dietary amino acid profile and carbohydrate content are appropriate for yellow perch.     

Effects of Microbial Phytase Supplementation in Corn Distiller's Dried Grain with Solubles on Nutrient Digestibility and Growth Performance of Rainbow Trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of microbial phytase in corn distiller's dried grain with solubles (DDGS) on apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) and growth performance of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. In experiment 1, DDGS was supplemented with phytase at 0,300,600,900, and 1200 FTU/kg diet. A total of 180 fish (129.1±9.3 g) were stocked into six 140-L tanks with 30 fish/tank. Fish were assigned randomly to a reference diet and each of the 5 diets containing DDGS. Yttrium oxide was used as an inert marker. Results showed that ADCs in DDGS supplemented with different dosages of phytase were: dry matter, 49.1-58.6%; crude fat, 78.9-88.9%; crude protein, 80.0-91.9%; gross energy, 50.5-66.6%; minerals, -7.3-99.7%; and amino acids: 73.9 to 96.8%. In experiment 2, abasal diet containing 15% DDGS supplemented with lysine and methionine was used to determine if trace mineral supplemental levels in rainbow trout diets could be reduced if microbial phytase was supplemented. Six diets were made with trace mineral premix supplementation at 0.1, 0.08, 0.06, 0.04, 0.02, and 0%. Phytase was not supplemented in the basal diet, but supplemented at 500 FTU/kg diet in all other diets. Ten-week results showed that there were no significant differences in fish weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and survival (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in fish body composition and apparent nutrient retention among fish fed all diets, except that fish fed a diet without trace mineral supplementation had the lowest zinc level and the highest manganese retention. Results indicated that phytase was effective in releasing most of minerals, and that trace mineral supplementation level could be reduced when phytase was used in rainbow trout diets.     

A comparison of the digestibility of lupin (Lupinus sp.) kernel meals as dietary protein resources when fed to either, rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss or red seabream, Pagrus auratus

The nutritional value of the kernel meals of three species of lupin (Lupinus albus, L. angustifolius and L. luteus) was compared against each other and solvent extracted soya bean meal and wheat gluten, when fed to either rainbow trout or red seabream. The digestible nutrient and energy values were determined for each ingredient, based on the diet substitution digestibility method. Each test ingredient was included in test diets at 300 g kg^?1. As different faecal collection methods were used on each species, only ingredient comparisons within each fish species study are valid. Protein digestibility for all lupin kernel meals was significantly better than for soya bean meal when fed to red seabream, although only numerically so when fed to rainbow trout. The highest protein digestibility in both fish species was that from the wheat gluten (100.0% for both rainbow trout and red seabream). Energy digestibility for each of the lupin kernel meals (range 62.4%–64.9% in rainbow trout and 60.9%–69.5% in red seabream) was less than that obtained from soya bean meal (75.1% and 81.0% for rainbow trout and red seabream, respectively). However, the higher gross energy content of the lupin kernel meals still resulted in both L. albus and L. luteus providing equivalent levels of digestible energy as that of soya bean meal. Organic matter digestibility was generally poorer for each of the lupin kernel meals relative to that for the soya bean meal and particularly compared with the wheat gluten. Phosphorus digestibility was significantly better in all lupin kernel meals than that from both the soya bean meal and wheat gluten. Highest phosphorus digestibility was that obtained from L. albus kernel meal (100.0% for both rainbow trout and red seabream) although notably the phosphorus digestibility of all lupin kernel meals when fed to rainbow trout was determined at 100%. Similarly the digestibility of phosphorus from lupin kernel meals fed to red seabream was also very high. This study supported the good nutritional value to both rainbow trout and red seabream of kernel meals of all three species of lupin, although the digestible nutrient attributes of kernel meal from L. luteus were particularly favourable.     

Influence of dietary fat level and increased adiposity on growth and fat deposition in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), (initial weight ～ 90 g) were fed diets differing in fat content (27.5% versus 12.6%) to examine the effects of dietary fat level on growth and fat deposition. During phase 1, which was run for 11 weeks, the fish were fed either a high- (27.5%) or low-fat (12.6%) diet. The fish were held at 14.5 °C under a 24 h:0 h light:dark photoperiod and were fed for 4 h each day during this phase. Subsequently, in phase 2, both diets were presented simultaneously, and the influence of adiposity on growth and fat deposition was examined in a growth trial which lasted for 8 months. There were no significant differences in body weights at the end of phase 1 (360.7 ± 7.7 g versus 348.2 ± 18.7 g for the fish on the high- and low-fat diets, respectively), but body composition was influenced by the fat content of the diet. The trout fed the high-fat diet had higher viscerosomatic indices (VSI: 11.7 ± 2.0% versus 9.1 ± 0.7%) and higher visceral fat contents (per cent fat: 38.0 ± 6.7% versus 23.3 ± 3.7%) than trout fed the low-fat diet. The percentage fat contents of the carcass (per cent fat: 12.4 ± 1.0% versus 9.3 ± 0.7%) and whole body (per cent fat: 15.4 ± 1.6% versus 10.5 ± 0.7%) were higher amongst the trout fed the high-fat diet, and these fish had a higher energy gain than those fish fed the low-fat diet. Differences in adiposity between the trout fed the high- and low-fat diets did not result in any differences in weight gain when the fish were provided with both diets simultaneously. During phase 2, the fish that had previously been fed the low-fat diet deposited more fat than those fed the high-fat diet during phase 1. The latter maintained whole body fat concentrations at ± 15% (phase 1: 15.4 ± 1.6%; phase 2: 15.2 ± 1.2%), whereas the fish that had been fed the low-fat diet increased their body fat concentration during phase 2 (phase 1: 10.5 ± 0.7%; phase 2: 14.7 ± 1.3%). Thus, there were no significant differences between groups in either body weight or proximate composition by the end of the experiment.