Modeling the Inclusion of Fish Powder and Fish Oil into Extruded Snacks by Response Surface Methodology

ABSTRACT

Extrusion cooking plays an important role in the production of puffed snacks, which enjoy wide acceptance all over the world and are potential vehicles for increasing the consumption of n-3 fatty acids. Response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design was adopted to investigate the effects of four independent variables (fish powder, fish oil, moisture, and screw speed) at five levels on expansion ratio, breaking strength index, hardness, color, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). A second order polynomial model was used to study the main, interactive, and quadratic effects of the independent variables and to explain the relationship between the responses and independent variables. Moisture was found to be the most significant factor (p < 0.001) influencing expansion ratio, breaking strength index, and color. Inclusion of fish powder and fish oil were found to be negatively associated with the expansion characteristics, resulting in decreased lipid oxidation due to less exposed surface area of the extrudates to air. Further, the absence of linear effect of fish powder and fish oil on TBARS demonstrated the possibility to incorporate higher levels of these ingredients to produce oxidatively stable extruded snacks rich in fish proteins.     

Evaluation of different starch sources in extruded feed for Atlantic salmon

The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effect of partial or total substitution of wheat flour with oat meal and tapioca starch in extruded salmon feed. A mixture design (simplex centroid mixture design) was used to analyse the effect of starch source on physical quality of extruded feed. Physical quality of the extruded feed was evaluated as cohesiveness, pellet density, axial and radial expansion, durability, hardness, strain at rupture and elastic modulus. Starch sources affected behaviour of the diet formulations during extrusion and caused changes in the physical properties of the extruded products. Significant correlations (P < 0.05) between physical properties and weight fraction of the starch sources allowed the establishment of predictive models. The inclusion of oat meal and tapioca starch in the diet gave extruded feed with a higher porosity and lower oil absorption capacity. The mechanical properties of the extruded feeds were significantly different from each other, most likely due to the complex nature of texture formation with respect to process parameters and properties of ingredients.     

小麦蛋白替代鱼粉及大豆蛋白对日本黄姑鱼(Nibea japonica)和黑鲷(Sparus macrocephalus)血清生化指标及肝脏抗氧化指标的影响

本研究通过在低鱼粉型膨化饲料中添加不同比例的混合型小麦蛋白(GWT,由小麦蛋白、低筋面粉和牛磺酸分别以77.5％、20.5％和2.0％的比例混合而成),逐步替代饲料中低温干燥鱼粉(LT-FM)或大豆浓缩蛋白(SPC),饲喂日本黄姑鱼(Nibea japonica)[初始体重为(12.83±0.91)g]和黑鲷(Sparus macrocephalus)幼鱼[初始体重为(15.40±0.02)g]59 d,研究其对2种鱼类血清生化指标和肝脏抗氧化指标的影响.本研究配制8种等氮、等能饲料(粗蛋白:44.1％-45.6％、总能:21.5-22.0 MJ/kg),其中,对照组饲料以LT-FM(20.0％)和SPC(21.4％)为主蛋白源,6种实验饲料以GWT分别替代对照组饲料中33.3％、66.7％和100％的LT-FM或SPC蛋白,另配制1种实验饲料(联合替代组),用GWT替代对照组饲料中50％的LT-FM和SPC蛋白.结果显示,用GWT替代对照组饲料中的LT-FM对日本黄姑鱼血清总蛋白(TP)、甘油三酯(TG)和肝脏丙二醛(MDA)含量以及肝脏超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性均无显著影响(P＞0.05),但显著降低了血清总胆固醇(TC)、葡萄糖(GLU)含量(P＜0.05).相较对照组,GWT高比例(66.7％和100％)替代LT-FM引起日本黄姑鱼血清SOD活性的显著升高(P＜0.05).GWT替代对照组饲料中LT-FM或(和)SpC均未对黑鲷幼鱼血清中的TP、TG、TC、GLU含量、肝脏MDA含量和血清SOD活性产生显著影响(P＞0.05),而GWT完全替代LT-FM组、GWT替代33.3％和66.7％SPC组以及GWT联合替代组的黑鲷幼鱼肝脏SOD活性均显著上升(P＜0.05).总之,在本研究中,日本黄姑鱼相较黑鲷对低鱼粉饲料中鱼粉用量的进一步下降更为敏感,GWT高比例甚至完全替代LT-FM和SPC,未对黑鲷血清生化指标和肝脏抗氧化指标造成显著影响.本研究首次以小麦蛋白作为饲用蛋白源替代LT-FM和SPC在日本黄姑鱼和黑鲷中开展研究;实验采用低鱼粉型(20％)膨化实用饲料作为对照组.     

Evaluation of the influence of different species and cultivars of lupin kernel meal on the extrusion process, pellet properties and viscosity parameters of salmonid feeds

This study examined the influence of different lupin species and cultivars and their inclusion levels on the physical properties of an extruded diet. Lupin kernel meals were included into a fish diet formulation at 0%, 10%, 20% and 30%. Soybean meal was also included in a series of diets on a similar basis as a reference. The diet mashes were extruded using a laboratory-scale APV19:45 twin-screw extruder. The pellets were examined for radial expansion, bulk density, vacuum oil uptakes, sink rate, shear and crush strengths. Inclusion of lupin kernel meal significantly increased bulk density, sink rate, shear and crush strength of the pellets. With the increase in lupin kernel meal inclusion level, a concomitant decline in vacuum oil uptake and radial expansion was also observed. An assessment of the diet mashes using a Rapid Visco Analyser showed that the inclusion of lupin kernel meals increased the rate and degree of gelatinization of the mash starch content compared with that with a similar inclusion level of soybean meal. The inclusion of lupin kernel meals in the diet mash also improved the water-holding capacity of the extrudate, which has important implications for the reduction in extruder wear.     

Optimization of fishmeal,fish oil and wheat in diets for juvenile sablefish,Anoplopoma fimbria

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.     

Feed processing affected the digestibility of carbohydrate sources for dourado Salminus brasiliensis

Carbohydrate utilization by fish varies with feeding habits and feed processing. Extruded aquafeeds have increased digestibility of carbohydrate sources resulting from the cooking and gelatinization of this nutrient, making it readily available for all aquatic species. This study aimed at determining the effects of extrusion cooking of feeds in the digestibility of different dietary carbohydrate sources for dourado. Isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets (530 g kg^?1 crude protein and 20.80 MJ kg^?1 gross energy) containing either corn, toasted cassava flour, wheat flour, broken rice, cassava starch, or corn starch, in extruded or pelletized form and added of chromic oxide as inert marker, were fed to groups of juvenile dourado (73.97 ± 12.0 g; n = 40) stocked in 500‐L polyethylene tanks. Extrusion cooking improved the digestibility of energy and/or starch of corn, cassava starch, wheat flour, rice and corn starch (P < 0.05), but did not affect digestibility of toasted cassava flour (P > 0.05). It is thus fair to infer that dourado, despite being a carnivorous species, is properly fit to digest wheat flour, rice and corn starch in natural form.     

Effects of processing on physical characteristics of diets with distinct levels of carbohydrates and lipids: the outcomes on the growth of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus)

The use efficiency and feed conversion of extruded and pelletized diets were compared. Eight isoproteic diets (220 g kg⁻¹ digestible protein) were assayed for 90 days in a 2 × 2 × 2 multifactorial design with two carbohydrate levels (400 and 500 g kg⁻¹), two lipids levels (40 and 80 g kg⁻¹) and two diet processing (pelletization and extrusion) with three repetitions. The growth of Piaractus mesopotamicus fed with these diets and the quality control indices of diets were gauged. The density of extruded diets was lower as carbohydrate level was 400 g kg⁻¹ and lipid 40 g kg⁻¹. The interaction carbohydrate and diet processing presented higher leaching value for low carbohydrate level in extruded diet. Fish fed with extruded diets presented the best feed conversion and protein efficiency ratio. When high levels of carbohydrate and lipid are combined, the weight gain is impaired. The interaction between diet processing diet and lipid levels resulted in the best fish performance when pelletized diets with 40 g kg⁻¹ lipid or extruded diets with 80 g kg⁻¹ lipid were considered. The protein efficiency ratio increased with the increment of carbohydrates in the pelletized diets. The fish show low tolerance to lipids and a preference for carbohydrate when the lipid productive values are taken into account.     

Effect of two extruded diets with different fish and squid meal ratio on growth,digestibility and body composition of Octopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797)

The present work studies the growth and body composition of 18 Octopus vulgaris (6 per treatment) fed two extruded diets, namely FMS and 3FMS, based on different fish and squid meal ratios (1:1, and 3:1 respectively). The diets are compared with a control diet based on crab (Carcinus mediterraneus) and bogue (Boops boops). The growing tests were conducted on animals placed in individual 300 L rectangular fibreglass tanks in an open seawater system, containing PVC tubes as shelters, resulting in 100% survival rate. The control group exhibited the highest specific growth rates (SGR = 2.14%BW day^?1), while values of around 0.69%BW day^?1 were achieved by octopuses fed the extruded diets. Even though the three groups of animals showed similar digestive gland indexes, the two extruded diets promoted significant differences in the muscle composition and fatness of the digestive gland. Digestibility of dry matter was not affected by the type of extruded diet, obtaining ADC values of around 88%. The results suggest that squid and fish meal can be both used in dry pelleted extruded diets, with moderate acceptance by the octopus, even though the formulation must be optimized with the aim of improving acceptability and achieve growths in the range of natural diets.     

Effects of differently processed diets on growth,immunity and water quality of the sea cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka, 1867)

The type of formulated diet used in aquaculture systems affects the feed efficiency and water quality. In this study, the water quality, growth performance and immunity of the sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka, 1867), fed diets produced using four different processing methods (extruded pellet diet, cold‐bonded pellet diet, flake diet and mash diet) were quantified for 60 days to identify the optimal feed type for culturing of this species. Sea cucumbers grew faster, the feed conversion ratio was much lower, and immunity indicators were higher when fed the extruded pellet diet compared to the other diets. Sea cucumbers fed the extruded pellet diet had the highest specific growth rate (0.96), whereas A. japonicus fed the cold‐bonded pellet diet had the lowest specific growth rate (0.51). The lysozyme activity of sea cucumbers fed the extruded pellet diet was higher (57.52) than that of A. japonicus fed the cold‐bonded pellet diet (39.22), flake diet (37.32) and mash diet (32.68). When animals were fed the mash diet, the ammonia–nitrogen, nitrite–nitrogen and phosphate productions were higher than in animals fed the other diets. These results indicate that the extruded pellet diet is the optimum feed type for use in the culture of A. japonicus.     

Effects of three carbohydrate sources on water quality,water consumption,bacterial count,growth and muscle quality of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in a biofloc system

This study compared the effect of three sources of carbohydrates: sugar, wheat and malt flours, on water quality, water consumption, bacterial load, growth and flesh quality of Nile tilapia. Adults (120.6 ± 0.64 g) were stocked in 1.2‐m³ fibreglass tanks at a rate of 25 fish/m³. Carbohydrates were added to the biofloc tanks at a C:N ratio of 20:1. Water flow in the non‐biofloc control tanks was adjusted to 0.6 L/day. The 105‐day experiment was conducted in triplicates. Results showed that biofloc treatments (BFT) with zero water exchange had significantly higher mean total ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, alkalinity, total suspended solids and lower pH than the control treatment. The sugar BFT had the highest floc volume. Growth parameters and feed conversion ratio did not differ significantly among treatments. However, tilapia in the malt flour and control treatments had close values. Gross fish yield was higher (p < .05) in the control than the BFT treatments. Water consumption/kg tilapia produced in the control was 42 times higher than the BFT groups. Protozoa dominated the biofloc biota, and wheat flour was the best in harbouring higher bacterial populations in the gut. Protein content and ∑n‐3 fatty acids were highest in the wheat flour biofloc, while malt flour biofloc had the highest lipids. The sugar biofloc had the highest n‐3/n‐6 ratio. Tilapia muscles in the malt flour and control treatments had the highest protein and lipid contents respectively. Tilapia muscles in the wheat flour BFT had the highest ∑n‐3 fatty acids and n‐3/n‐6 ratio. It can be concluded that farming tilapia in BFT using malt or wheat flours as carbon sources is more economical in saving great amount of water with minimal discharge of pollutants without affecting tilapia growth or flesh quality.     

Glucose tolerance in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., dependence on adaption to dietary starch and water temperature

Individually tagged Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., were fed three different adaptation diets containing low, medium or high levels of extruded starch, before intraperitoneal injection of glucose. The injections were done at winter and at summer temperatures. This was to investigate whether the tolerance for glucose varied according to adaption diet and/or according to season. The results showed a temperature-dependent response. At winter temperatures (2°C) the Atlantic salmon had problems adapting to both medium and high levels of dietary starch. This was indicated by lower growth response in the adaptation period, as well as by delayed glucose regulation. At summer temperatures (12.5°C) the Atlantic salmon could tolerate and utilize both medium and high levels of dietary starch. In summer also all groups responded evenly to the tolerance tests with respect to blood glucose regulation. Incorporation of liver glycogen was higher at summer than at winter temperatures in the high- carbohydrate group. No effect was found on haematocrit values as a response to diet or season.     

Effects of extruded and pelleted diets with differing lipid levels on growth,nutrient retention and serum biochemical indices of tilapia (Oreochromis aureus × Tilapia nilotica)

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of extruded diets and pelleted diets with varying dietary lipid levels on growth performance and nutrient utilization of tilapia. Six diets, containing three levels of lipid at 40, 60 or 80 g kg^?1 (with the supplemental lipid of 0, 20 or 40 g kg^?1, respectively), were prepared by extruding or pelleting and then fed to tilapia juveniles (8.0 ± 0.1 g) in cages (in indoor pools) for 8 weeks. The results indicated that the fish that were fed the diet with 60 g kg^?1 of lipid had a higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), lipid retention (LRE), energy retention (ERE), apparent protein digestibility, apparent dry matter digestibility and a lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) than those fed the diet with 40 g kg^?1 lipid in both the extruded diet and pelleted diet (P < 0.05). As the dietary lipid level increased from 60 to 80 g kg^?1, these parameters were not further improved, even digestibilities of the crude protein and dry matter decreased (P < 0.05). With the dietary lipid level increased, whole‐body lipid content significantly increased (P < 0.05), serum aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) tended to increase (P > 0.05), whereas whole‐body protein content, serum triglyceride (TG), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) and HDL‐C/LDL‐C tended to decrease (P > 0.05). Fish fed with the extruded diets had a higher WG, SGR, hepatosomatic index (HSI), PER, protein retention (PRE), LRE, ERE, TG, apparent digestibility of protein and dry matter, as well as a lower FCR, than those fed with the pelleted diets at the same dietary lipid level (P < 0.05). These results suggested that tilapia fed with the extruded diets had a better growth and higher nutrient utilization than fish fed with the pelleted diets, when dietary lipid level ranged from 40 to 80 g kg^?1 and at dietary crude protein level was 280 g kg^?1. The optimum dietary lipid level was 60 g kg^?1 in both the pelleted and extruded diets, and extrusion did not affect dietary lipid requirement of the tilapia.     

Incorporation of Whole Lupin,Lupinus albus,Seed Meal in Commercial Extruded Diets for Rainbow Trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss: Effect on Growth Performance,Nutrient Digestibility,and Muscle Fatty Acid Composition

Whole lupin seed meal was evaluated as partial replacement for fishmeal in extruded diets for rainbow trout, with particular emphasis on the effect on growth performance and apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of protein, lipids, carbohydrates, and energy. Effect on muscle fatty acid composition was also evaluated. All diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic and to contain approximately 45% crude protein and 5.5 kcal energy g/diet. Diets were formulated to include whole lupin seed meal at 0, 10, 15, and 20%. Triplicate groups of fish weighing 65.9 ± 15.1 g on average were fed twice a day until apparent satiation during 12 wk. Growth, feed intake, hepatosomatic index, hepatic histology, proximate composition of whole body, and muscular fatty acid profile were determined. Growth and feed utilization were similar in all treatments and whole‐body composition did not vary among treatments. Polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n‐6 and n‐3 series remained constant in muscle as the amount of lupin in diets increased. Furthermore, the ADCs were similar among all diets. These results suggest that inclusion of whole lupin seed meal up to 20% in extruded diets for rainbow trout do not have any negative effect on growth, feed performance, or flesh quality.     

Effects of the protein/carbohydrate ratio of extruded diets on protein synthesis, protein growth and body composition in juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta)

High levels of protein in fish feeds result in higher costs and nitrogen waste. Therefore, studies focused on protein substitution by alternative energy sources are necessary. Here we examine whether the protein:carbohydrate ratio in extruded diets affects protein-turnover parameters and the main tissue components in brown trout. Juvenile fish were adapted to two extruded diets: one higher in protein and lower in carbohydrate, C: 45/28 and the other higher in carbohydrate and lower in protein, HC: 37/40. Gross energy was 19 MJ kg⁻¹ DM in both diets. Protein and lipid digestibility were high and similar in both groups (≈90%), whereas total and carbohydrate digestibility and digestible energy were lower in the HC-fed group than in the C-fed group. Consequently, when fish were adapted to the diets, plasma levels of glucose and insulin differed between diets. HC-group presented higher plasma glucose levels and lower plasma insulin levels than C-group. Protein synthesis rates in white muscle, liver and whole body did not differ significantly between diets. In contrast, protein accretion rate of white muscle and whole body were significantly lower in the HC group, indicating an increase of protein degradation in these tissues and a decrease of synthesis retention efficiency. In spite of the daily protein intake of HC group was lower than C-group, the anabolic stimulation efficiency was increased by 34% in HC group. Protein and lipid contents in white muscle and liver were stable throughout the experiment. No hepatomegalia or increased fat deposition was observed in fish fed HC. Differences in specific growth rates (C: 0.88%; HC: 0.77%) were associated more with the lower protein consumption rate and the lower level of digestible energy in fish fed HC than with the higher dietary carbohydrate content of the diet.     

Performance factors, body composition and digestion characteristics of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) fed pelleted or extruded diets

The effects of steam pelleting or extrusion of a commercial feed on performance of 2 g (small) and 40 g (large) gilthead sea bream was studied. In addition the apparent digestibility of diets, gastric evacuation time (GET) and trypsin and amylase activities were measured in large fish. Fish size significantly increased protein and energy productive value, body protein and lipid, liver glycogen and liver lipid, however decreased daily growth index, feed intake and feed utilization, body moisture and hepatosomatic index. Extrusion processing decreased feed intake, more strongly for small fish, and increased daily growth index, feed utilization, protein and energy productive value, body protein and lipid. Digestibility of starch and energy increased with extrusion and GET of extruded feed was double that of steam-pelleted conditioned feed (i.e. 544 min versus 284 min). Digestive enzyme activities approached maximum values after 240 min for the pelleted diet, while those of the extruded continued to increase, at higher rates for amylase than trypsin. Pelleted diet indicated higher moisture for stomach digesta, while the moisture of the intestinal precipitate indicated a higher water-binding capacity for the extruded diet. The overall results indicate a better assimilation of the extruded diet, which could result from its prolonged gastric evacuation.     

The effects of extrusion and pelleting of feed for trout on the digestibility of protein,amino acids and energy and on feed conversion

One feeding and two digestion experiments were performed in order to study the effect of feed processing by extrusion and pelleting on feed conversion and on the digestibility of energy, protein and amino acids. Feed conversion was 1·24 when trout was reared on an extruded diet as compared with 1·61 when reared on the same but pelleted diet. The specific growth rates of 1·56 and 1·55%, respectively, attained with both diets, were almost identical due to a depression of voluntary intake of the extruded diet. The effect of different daily feed intakes in percentage of body weight (NI, %) on the digestibility of energy (D, %) could be described using the following linear regression equations: D(%) = 78·3 ? 5·9 NI(%) for the pelleted diet and D(%) = 87·5 ? 3·9 NI(%) for the extruded diet. Though conversion of the extruded and pelleted diets differed significantly the digestible energy needed to produce 1 kg of gain was nearly the same, 17 370 kJ and 17 580 kJ respectively, indicating that differences in conversion were due to the digestible energy content. The digestion coefficients of the protein and amino acids were not influenced significantly (p < 0·05) by a change in the feed process, but different digestion coefficients for individual amino acids were observed. The use of digestible carbohydrate for trout nutrition is limited by the incidence of liver degeneration.     

Effects of Reduced Levels of Dietary Protein and Menhaden Fish Meal on Production,Dressout, and Biochemical Composition of Phase III Sunshine Bass Morone chrysops ♀× M. saxatilis ♂ Cultured in Earthen Ponds1

The responses of phase III sunshine bass Morone chrysops ♀× M. saxatilis ♂ to diets containing reduced levels of menhaden fish meal (30–10%, dry weight) and crude protein (40–36%, dry weight) were evaluated in two separate experiments. Reductions in fish meal were compensated by increase in dietary soybean meal, a meat and blood meal product, and additional amounts of a 1:1 catfish oil:menhaden oil mixture sprayed on as a top dressing. Fish were cultured in earthen ponds and fed commercially manufactured, extruded diets to apparent satiation. In Experiment 1, dietary crude protein was reduced from 40 to 36% and the menhaden fish meal ingredient was reduced from 30 to 15% (dry weight). The mean weight of fish stocked into each pond ranged from 144 to 188 g, the stocking density was 8641/ha, and the duration of the growout was 172 d. In Experiment 2, both dietary treatments contained 40% crude protein (dry weight) and either 30% or 10% menhaden fish meal. The mean weight of fish stocked into each pond ranged from 42 and 77 g, the stocking density was 8,500/ha, and the duration of the growout was 175 d. Simultaneous reductions in dietary menhaden fish meal and crude protein resulted in significant decreases in all production indices except survival and percent weight increase. Weights of filet, carcass, liver and intraperitoneal fat, expressed as a percent of total body weight, were not significantly different. A 66% reduction in dietary menhaden fish meal while the crude protein level was maintained at 40% did not significantly affect growth, production, and weights of filet, carcass, liver and intraperitoneal fat, expressed as a percent of total body weight, and represents a 6% decrease in the cost of feed. In both experiments, levels of protein, lipid, moisture, and ash of the whole body and the filet were not significantly different. Fatty acid composition of the filet and livers from fish fed the control and experimental diets in Experiment 2 were highly comparable. The comparable level of performance of fish fed diets believed to be deficient in HUFA suggests that the dietary levels reported to be required may not be totally applicable to diets formulated for pond culture.     

Evaluation of gross protein and lipid requirements in formulated feed for honey gourami,Trichogaster chuna (Hamilton 1822)

Gross protein and fat requirements in formulated feeds designed for the honey gourami, Trichogaster chuna (initial weight 1.34–1.38 g), were investigated. Feeds containing 30%, 40%, and 50% protein and 6% and 9% lipid at each protein level were tested. Protein and energy sources used were from fishmeal, shrimp meal, clam meal, soy flour, and wheat flour. An equal mixture of crude sardine oil and groundnut oil was used as the source of lipids. Comparison of the whole gourami amino acid profiles before and after the dietary treatments indicated a relative decline in all amino acids except methionine and lysine. Fatty acid profiles of whole individuals after dietary treatment showed a substantial increase in monounsaturated fatty acids relative to the initial fatty acid profiles. No significant differences were observed in fish growth between dietary treatments (p > .05). Feeds containing 30% protein and 6% lipid were found to be adequate for normal growth, while feeds with 40% protein and 6% lipid were seen to help accelerate growth and reproduction. In this study, protein and lipid levels required for regular maintenance, sexual maturation, and spawning of aquarium‐reared gourami were established.     

Investigation of the nutritional requirements of Australian snapper Pagrus auratus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801): apparent digestibility of protein and energy sources

Two experiments were carried out to determine the apparent crude protein (CP), organic matter (OM), fat and gross energy (GE) digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of several protein and energy sources (ingredients) for Australian snapper using the indirect method of determination and collection of faeces by passive settlement. The first experiment determined ADCs for one level of fishmeal (500 g kg^?1 diet), three levels of extruded wheat (200, 300 or 400 g kg^?1 diet) and two levels of fish oil (150 or 250 g kg^?1 diet). The second experiment determined ADCs for two levels each of meat meal or poultry meal (300 or 500 g kg^?1 diet), one level each of haemoglobin powder or blood meal (150 g kg^?1 diet) and one level each of solvent extracted soybean meal or a low‐allergenic, cold‐pressed soybean meal (300 g kg^?1 diet). Similar ingredients and where appropriate, different inclusion levels were compared using one‐ or two‐way analysis of variance (anova ). Fishmeal was almost completely digested and ADC values ranged between 94.3% and 99.2%. Fish oil was also well digested, with ADC values ranging between 97.6% and 106.0% and was not significantly affected by inclusion level. Linear regression analysis indicated that there was no relationship between the inclusion level of extruded wheat and either CP (ADCs ranged from 100.1% to 105.4%) or fat digestibility (ADCs ranged from 89.1% to 104.4%). However, there was a significant negative linear relationship between the inclusion level of extruded wheat and GE digestibility (GE_ADC=86.51?0.031 × inclusion level; R²=0.49). Two‐way anova indicated that CP, OM and GE ADCs of poultry meal (i.e. 85.9%, 89.7% and 91.3% respectively) were significantly higher than those determined for meat meal (i.e. 63.8%, 63.4% and 71.3% respectively), but ADCs were not affected by inclusion level or the interaction between inclusion level and ingredient type. The fat digestibility coefficients of meat and poultry meal were not significantly different (ADCs ranged from 92.3% to 95.0%). The CP digestibility of haemoglobin powder (95.1%) was significantly higher than that of ring‐dried blood meal (81.6%), but there was no difference between the digestibility of OM (77.0%) or GE (80.4%) from these products. There was no difference between the CP (88.9%), OM (56.9%) and GE (65.6%) digestibility of the solvent extracted soybean meal and the low‐allergenic, cold‐pressed soybean meal. These coefficients will be useful in formulating both practical and research‐based diets for this species.     

The Influence of Seaweed Composite Flour on the Physicochemical Properties of Muffin

Seaweed has a great potential to be used as an important ingredient in food processing, as it contains a significant content of soluble polysaccharides and has a potential function as a dietary fiber. In this study, seaweed powder (Kappaphycus alvarezii) was incorporated (2–10%) with wheat flour for the production of muffins. The effect of seaweed composite flour on the quality of muffins was investigated using various techniques, such as texture profile and proximate analyses, as well as sensory evaluation. Modification of the muffin formulation to include seaweed powder improved the composition of ash, crude fiber, and moisture content, while the protein and carbohydrate levels decreased, compared to the control sample. An increase in the seaweed component reduced the muffin height, volume, and specific volume. According to the experimental texture profile analysis data, the seaweed affected the textural characteristics of the muffins, increasing the hardness and decreasing the springiness. Sensory evaluation revealed that seaweed powder could be used in the muffin formulation up to 6%, without significantly impacting the color, aroma, and taste attributes relative to the control sample. For overall acceptability, however, the panelists preferred muffins without seaweed powder.