| Abstract: | The aim of this study was to assess the effect of increasing inclusion levels (100, 150, 200 and 300 g/kg) of rice bran protein concentrate (RBPC) in jundiá (Rhamdia quelen) diets using growth, body composition, somatic indices and digestive enzyme activity as parameters. Five isoproteic (370.08 ± 0.04 g/kg) and isocaloric (13.38 ± 0.04 MJ/kg) diets were formulated with four replicates per treatment. After acclimation, 500 jundiá juveniles (initial mean weight of 6.28 ± 0.12 g) were distributed into 20 round polyethylene tanks (280 L) (25 fish per tank) coupled to a thermoregulated water recirculating system. The fish were fed experimental diets three times daily (at 9:00, 13:00 and 17:00 hr) to apparent satiation. At the end of the trial (45 days), no significant differences were found in the body chemical composition, somatic indices, and trypsin and chymotrypsin enzymes of the fish fed experimental diets. A lower final weight and a lower condition factor were found in fish fed diets RBPC10 (100 g/kg of RBPC) and RBPC15 (150 g/kg of RBPC). Based on the results of this study, it is clear that the use of RBPC (at high dietary inclusion levels of 200 and 300 g kg?1) is an effective alternative protein source to fishmeal. |
