Inclusion of size fractionated fish hydrolysate in high plant protein diets for Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua

Fish hydrolysate was evaluated as feed ingredient in high plant protein diets in an 89 days feed experiment with Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). The fish hydrolysate was size fractionated by ultra- and nano-filtration and the various fractions were tested specifically as feed ingredients to trace any effect observed with the hydrolysate. All diets contained 68% of total protein as plant protein, added as a mixture of corn gluten, full-fat soy bean meal, soy protein concentrate and extracted soy bean meal. The diets were equal in protein, lipid and energy. The control diet contained 21.8% fish meal. Fish hydrolysate was tested in another diet where one third of the fish meal protein was exchanged with the fish hydrolysate. Retentate after ultra-filtration of fish hydrolysate and retentate and permeate after nano-filtration were used in three separate diets at dietary inclusion levels corresponding to the absolute dry matter level of the fractions in the hydrolysate. The cod tripled in weight during the experimental period. No significant differences were observed for growth or feed intake for any groups. The diets containing retentate from ultra- and nano-filtration showed lower feed efficiency than the control diet with fish meal or the diet containing fish hydrolysate or permeate after nano-filtration. In conclusion the results show that fish hydrolysate may successfully be used as a protein source in high plant protein diets for Atlantic cod in exchange of fish meal. Removal of small molecules from the fish hydrolysate by filtration reveals poorer feed utilization indicating that this marine fraction of small compounds is important for optimal growth of Atlantic cod. This may be important in the discussion of increased dietary utilization of plant protein sources in feed for fish.