Effects of Dietary Supplements on Growth Performance and Phosphorus Waste Production of Australian Catfish,Tandanus tandanus,Fed with Diets Containing Soybean Meal as Fishmeal Replacement

Effects of dietary phytase, amino acid (AA), and inorganic phosphorus (P) in soybean meal (SBM) diets on the growth, feed utilization, and P waste of Australian catfish, Tandanus tandanus, were evaluated. In Experiment 1, SBM replaced 30% of fishmeal (FM) protein in the four test diets, supplemented with phytase (1000–3000 FTU/kg). In Experiment 2, SBM replaced 45% of FM protein in the four test diets, supplemented with phytase, AAs, inorganic P, or their combinations. Inclusion of 3000 FTU/kg significantly improved growth performance and feed utilization of catfish. Ortho‐P waste was significantly lower in fish fed with SBM diets. At 30% FM protein replacement, dietary SBM did not reduce the total P waste of catfish while dietary phytase significantly did. At 45% FM protein replacement, phytase alone did not significantly improve the growth and feed utilization of catfish fed with SBM diets while significantly better results were obtained when both phytase and AAs were supplemented. Dietary inclusion of inorganic P significantly decreased P utilization and increased P waste of the fish. Dietary phytase significantly improved P utilization of catfish in both experiments.     

Bio‐Ag reutilization of distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) as a substrate for black soldier fly larvae,Hermetia illucens,along with poultry by‐product meal and soybean meal,as total replacement of fish meal in diets for Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

A feeding trial was conducted in a closed system with Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, juveniles (mean initial weight, 2.66 g) to examine total replacement of menhaden fish meal (FM) with distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), which had been used as substrate for the production of black soldier fly larvae, Hermetia illucens, in combination with soybean meal (SBM) and poultry by‐product meal (PBM), with or without supplementation of the amino acids (AA) DL‐methionine (Met), L‐lysine (Lys) and a commercial non‐amylaceous polysaccharide enzyme (Enz) product. Fish were fed seven isoenergetic [available energy (AE) = 4.0 kcal g^?1 of diet] and isonitrogenous (350 g kg^?1 protein as‐fed basis) practical diets formulated with equivalent digestible protein levels. Diet 1 was formulated to be similar to a commercial, high‐quality, tilapia diet containing 200 g kg^?1 FM. Diets 2–5 were formulated as a 2 × 2 factorial to replace FM with similar contributions from DDGS (45%), PBM (25%) and SBM (2.1–2.9%), but to differ in supplementation of AA and/or Enz preparation. Diets 6 and 7 were formulated to investigate the effects of a 2/3 and 1/3 reduction, respectively, in DDGS contribution to the replacement protein mix, with concomitant increases in SBM, with respect to diet 3, and were balanced with Lys and Met. After 6 weeks, growth responses were slightly attenuated (P ≤ 0.05) and average daily intake (ADI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were slightly higher in tilapia fed DDGS diets 2–5 compared to those of fish fed the FM control diet 1. Growth responses were not significantly affected by the presence or absence of AA or Enz (diets 2–5), or the level of DDGS (diets 3, 7 and 6). Whole‐body proximate composition was not different among treatments. Amino acid profiles of fish fed DDGS diets were not significantly different from those of fish fed the FM control. Evidence of interaction between AA and Enz supplementation was detected in whole‐body amino acid concentrations such that AA content was higher with AA or Enz addition alone, but lower when both were added to the diet. Results suggest that DDGS replacement of FM in tilapia diets can be substantial when diets are formulated on a digestible protein basis and DDGS is combined with highly digestible animal (PBM) and plant proteins (SBM).     

Effect of phytic acid on growth and nitrogen retention in tilapia Oreochromis niloticus L.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of phytic acid on nitrogen retention in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The first experiment utilized graded levels of soybean meal (SBM) with or without hydrolysis of phytic acid. The second experiment utilized diets containing graded levels of purified phytic acid. In the first experiment, weight gain was inversely related to SBM inclusion beyond 250 g kg^?1 of the crude protein (CP). Broken‐line and quadratic models were applied to the growth data. The models suggest limiting inclusion to 380 and 170 g kg^?1 CP for untreated and phytase treated SBM, respectively. The two SBM treatments exhibited similar trends in efficiency parameters. However, significant differences (P < 0.05) within treatments appeared when phytase treated SBM surpassed 250 g kg^?1 CP, but not until 750 g kg^?1 CP with untreated SBM. At similar rates of SBM incorporation, apparent net protein utilizations with untreated SBM were significantly higher beyond 250 g kg^?1 CP (P < 0.05). In the second experiment, phytic acid did not affect efficiency parameters until the concentration was twice that in diets incorporating SBM as 1000 g kg^?1 CP in a 330 g kg^?1 CP diet. Phytic acid does not reduce nitrogen retention in tilapia, and its removal from SBM may decrease nitrogen retention.     

Apparent digestibility coefficients of animal and plant feed ingredients for juvenile Pseudobagrus ussuriensis

A study was conducted to determine apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), lipid, gross energy, phosphorus and amino acids (AAs) from Peruvian fish meal (PFM), native fish meal (NFM), meat bone meal (MBM), dried daphnia meal (DDM), soybean meal (SBM), full‐fat soybean (FSBM), cottonseed meals (CSM), rapeseed meal (RSM) and corn gluten meal (CGM) for Pseudobagrus ussuriensis (7.8 ± 0.06 g). Test diets were formulated to contain a 70:30 mixture of reference diet to test ingredient with chromic oxide (5 g kg^–1) serving as the inert marker. ADCs of DM ranged from 49.94% (CGM) to 87.11% (PFM), the highest ADCs of DM were observed in PFM and the lowest was found in CGM. ADCs of CP in the test ingredients ranged from 74.92% (CGM) to 93.41% (SBM). ADCs of crude lipid ranged from 51.80% (CGM) to 94.07% (PFM) for fish. ADCs of energy ranged from 56.42% (CGM) to 90.09% (PFM). ADCs of phosphorus ranged from 21.81% (CSM) to 65.70% (PFM). AA availability for the test ingredients followed a similar pattern to ADCs of CP, in which values for PFM, NFM and MBM were generally higher (p < .05) than those of other protein ingredients. Among all plant meals, the AA availability values in SBM were higher (p < .05) than those in CGM, CSM and RSM. The availability of most AAs in CGM was the lowest (p < .05) among all tested ingredients. In conclusion, PFM and NFM are good sources of available protein and AAs. When fishmeal supply is limited, MBM and DDM are substitutes for fishmeal reduction in P. ussuriensis diets; at the same time, SBM and FSBM are also very acceptable protein feedstuffs. However, CSM, RSM and CGM could not be used at high levels in P. ussuriensis diets because of their inferior digestibilities.     

Effects of feed processing conditions and acid salts on nutrient digestibility and physical quality of soy‐based diets for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Two experiments were conducted to investigate effects of feed processing conditions and potassium diformate (KDF) supplementation on apparent digestibility of nutrients in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and physical quality of extruded feed. In Exp. 1, diets with raw or expander pretreated full‐fat soybean meal (FFSBM) at 100 or 120 °C were extruded at 110 °C. Expander pretreatment significantly (P < 0.05) improved the digestibility of arginine, glutamine and tyrosine in Atlantic salmon. The higher digestibility of expander pretreated FFSBM was confirmed in mink (Mustela vison). In Exp. 2, diets with defatted soybean meal (SBM) were extruded at 110, 130 or 150 °C. The results showed that increasing extrusion temperatures significantly (P < 0.05) improved the digestibility of most major nutrients and amino acids in Atlantic salmon. In general, KDF supplementation to FFSBM and SBM diets did not affect digestibility of nutrients in Atlantic salmon or mink. Expander pretreatment and increasing extrusion temperatures increased pellet expansion, while KDF supplementation reduced pellet expansion.     

In Vitro and In Vivo Feedstuff Digestibility for Snook,Centropomus undecimalis,Juveniles

The degree of hydrolysis (DH) of the ingredients was evaluated for Centropomus undecimalis juveniles. The in vitro experiment included wheat gluten (WG), corn gluten (CG), soybean meal (SBM) and pretreated phytase (SBM + phytase), soy protein concentrate (SPC), canola meal (CAN) and pretreated phytase (CAN + phytase), poultry byproduct meal (PBPM), chicken meal (CHKM), dried whey (DW), Pota meal (PM: mix of giant squid, fish soluble protein concentrate, crustacean meal, and fish oil), and Protiblend (PTB: aquatic and render mix). The highest acidic DH occurred with PTB (0.38 ± 0.06), CHKM (0.33 ± 0.3), and PBPM (0.25 ± 0.03). In the alkaline condition, PTB (1.6 ± 0.17 and 0.98 ± 0.05 for pyloric caeca and intestine, respectively) and CG (1.04 ± 0.4 and 0.75 ± 0.2 for caeca and intestine, respectively) provided the highest DH values. In vitro digestibility demonstrated that PTB was the highest (85.3%) followed by PBPM (51.4%), CAN + phytase (47.6%), CG (45.1%), and CHKM (46.5%). The in vivo experiment concerned the WG, CHKM, PBPM, PM, and PTB diets plus a reference diet with fishmeal (Ref diet). The total %DH was different (P < 0.05) with the lowest values for the WG diet (0.34 ± 0.09%) and Ref diet (0.34 ± 0.15). Free amino acid released during digestion was displayed for these diets and a bifactorial analysis produced no difference (P > 0.05). The apparent digestive coefficients ranged from 89.8 to 92.9% for protein and from 68 to 71.4% for energy.     

Partial replacement of fish meal by soybean meal with or without methionine and phytase supplement in diets for juvenile Chinese sucker,Myxocyprinus asiaticus

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of using soybean meal supplemented with or without methionine (M) and graded levels of phytase (P) to replace high‐level (60%) fish meal in the diets for juvenile Chinese sucker. Seven experimental diets (about 430 g kg^?1 crude protein on dry matter basis) were formulated from practical ingredients. The control diet (FM) was formulated to contain 400 g kg^?1 white fish meal (FM), whereas in the other six diets (diets 2–7), soybean meal (SBM) was used to replace 60% fish meal with or without methionine (3 g kg ^?1) and 0,500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 U kg^?1 phytase (designated as SBM, SM, SMP500, SMP1000, SMP1500 and SMP2000, respectively). Results from the feeding trial indicated that SBM without any methionine or phytase supplement replacing about 60% FM significantly affected the growth of fish (P < 0.05). Weight gain of fish fed diet SM was significantly higher than the fish fed diet SBM, but still much lower than fish fed the control diet (P < 0.05). SBM with methionine and phytase supplement significantly improved the growth of fish and apparent digestibility coefficients of phosphorus compared with the groups which fed diet SBM and diet SM (P < 0.05). Weight gain of fish fed SMP1000, SMP1500 and SMP2000 had no significant difference than fish fed control diet. Furthermore, fish fed SMP1500 showed optimum weight gain and ADC of phosphorus between these three groups. This suggested that soybean meal with 3 g kg^?1 methionine and 1500 U kg^?1 phytase supplement could successfully replace 60% fish meal in the diet for juvenile Chinese sucker without affecting growth and enhanced the apparent digestibility coefficient of phosphorus.     

Dietary microbial phytase and citric acid synergistically enhances nutrient digestibility and growth performance of Labeo rohita (Hamilton) juveniles at sub-optimal protein level

A 2 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment was designed to study the main effect of dietary microbial phytase, citric acid, crude protein (CP) level and their interactions on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and body composition of Labeo rohita juveniles. Two basal diets were formulated using plant‐based ingredients containing either sub‐optimum (25%) or normal (35%) CP levels. Both the diets were supplemented with microbial phytase (U kg⁻¹) and citric acid (%) at the level of 0, 0; 500, 0; 0, 3; and 500, 3 respectively. One hundred and twenty L. rohita juveniles (average weight 12.61–13.72 g) were randomly distributed in eight treatments, each with three replicates. Dietary microbial phytase alone had no significant effect on whole‐body ash content but addition of citric acid (3%) in the diet activated the phytase as evidenced by their significant interaction. A significant interaction between citric acid and microbial phytase was also found on weight gain%, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio. Increasing the dietary CP level from 25% to 35% significantly (P<0.01) decreased phosphorus and dry matter digestibility. Thus, these results showed that the growth‐promoting effect was higher in groups fed a sub‐optimum protein (25%) diet containing both 3% citric acid and 500 U kg⁻¹ of microbial phytase than those fed 35% CP diets. This suggests that microbial phytase and citric acid in sub‐optimum CP diet had a synergistic effect on nutrient digestibility and growth performance of L. rohita juveniles.     

The effect of phytase on apparent digestibility of four practical plant feedstuffs fed to striped bass, Morone saxatilis

This study was conducted to determine the effect of phytase on apparent dry matter (DM), crude protein and phosphorus (P) digestibility of four plant feedstuffs (isolated soya protein, ISP; soyabean meal, SBM; corn gluten meal, CGM and wheat middlings, WM) fed to striped bass Morone saxatilis . One reference diet was formulated based solely on animal feed ingredients. Four test diets were prepared by mixing 60–75% of the reference diet with 40–25% of the test ingredient in order to reach similar levels of total P (0.67–0.73%) and to have a minimum of 35% protein (36.1–53.0%). Chromic oxide was added at 0.5% of the diet and used as an indigestible marker. A phytase solution was sprayed postpelleting on the test diets at a concentration of 1000 phytase units kg⁻¹ (PU kg⁻¹) dry diet. The test diets (with or without phytase supplementation) and the reference diet (nine treatments total) were fed to 3-year-old striped bass and were replicated in time ( n =3) during the 4-week period. Digestibility of DM was significantly lower ( P  < 0.001) for SBM and WM when compared with CGM and ISP and was not influenced by phytase supplementation. Crude protein digestibility was also not affected by phytase supplementation and was significantly lower ( P  < 0.09) for SBM when compared with ISP. Phosphorus digestibility was improved by approximately 23% with the addition of phytase for all four feedstuffs tested ( P  < 0.001). Furthermore, WM had significantly lower ( P  < 0.0001) P digestibility when compared with the other feedstuffs, irrespective of phytase supplementation.     

Evaluation of Poultry By‐product Meal in Commercial Diets for Hybrid Striped Bass,Morone chrysops ♀ × Morone saxatilis ♂, in Pond Production

The efficacy of replacing fish meal with petfood‐grade poultry by‐product meal (PBM) on an ideal protein basis in commercial diets for hybrid striped bass (HSB) was evaluated under production conditions in pond culture. A generic production diet (GEN) for HSB was formulated to contain 45% protein, 12% lipid, and 3.7 kcal/kg. Protein in the generic diet was supplied by a mix of animal and plant sources typically used by the industry that included more than 20% select menhaden fish meal and less than 10% PBM. A positive control diet (GEN + AA) was formulated by supplementing the generic diet with feed‐grade Met and Lys to match the level of those amino acids in HSB muscle at 40% digestible protein. Substitution diets were formulated by replacing 35, 70, or 100% of fish meal in the GEN diet with PBM on a digestible protein basis and then supplementing with Met and Lys (designated 35PBM, 70PBM, and 100PBM, respectively) as needed to maintain concentrations equal to those in the GEN + AA diet. Diet formulation and extrusion were conducted by a commercial mill, and all diets met or exceeded known nutritional requirements for HSB. Twenty 0.10‐ha ponds (4 ponds/diet) were randomly stocked with juvenile HSB (76 ± 10 g; mean ± SD) at a density of 7400/ha and fed for 600 d (October 2004 to May 2006). Diets were fed once daily to apparent satiation to a maximum of 95 kg feed/ha. Total weight and number of fish in each pond were determined at harvest. Weight distributions in each pond were estimated by selecting every 15th fish during harvest. Subsets of ten fish from each of these samples were selected randomly for the determination of body composition and nutrient and energy retention. The availability of indispensable amino acids as well as ammonia production from the commercial test diets were determined in separate tank trials. Most production characteristics were not statistically different (P > 0.10) among dietary treatments. Distributions of individual fish weights from each of the ponds were not affected by poultry by‐product level in the diet. Multivariate analysis of body compositional indices grouped diets into two clusters composed of GEN, GEN + AA, 35PBM vs. 70PBM, and 100PBM mainly because fish fed the 70PBM and 100PBM diets had greater (P = 0.001) body fat (visceral somatic indices) than fish fed the other diets. Ammonia production in tanks was not different among diets and peaked 6–8 h after feeding when fish were fed at 1.5% of body weight; ammonia‐N excretion ranged from 197 to 212 mg/kg/d and 18.5–21.5% of nitrogen intake. Some imbalances in the levels and ratios of selected amino acids to Lys were found in the diets containing higher amounts of PBM and were attributed to a lack of accurate availability coefficients during formulation for some dietary proteins. These imbalances in essential amino acids may have been the predominant factor in the somewhat fattier fish observed fed diets containing the two highest levels of PBM. Nevertheless, these results from fish stocked at commercial densities and raised to market size in ponds suggest that formulating diets on an available amino acid basis for all protein sources while balancing limiting amino acids, particularly Met, Lys, Thr, and Trp, on an ideal protein basis will yield significant improvements in HSB performance when fed commercial diets in which all fish meal is replaced with PBM.     

Partial Replacement of Fish Meal with Plant Protein Sources Singly and in Combination in Diets for Summer Flounder,Paralichthys dentatus

Soybean meal (SBM), corn gluten meal (CGM), and canola protein concentrate (CPC) as alternative protein sources to fish meal (FM) were individually evaluated for growth performance at 0, 20, 30, 40, and 50% replacement with amino acid (AA) supplementation using juvenile summer flounder, Paralichthys dentatus, in an 8‐wk feeding. Two‐way ANOVA indicated no significant main effect for plant protein source, but a significant main effect for replacement level. Comparison of the individual treatments revealed significant differences in weight gain (WG) between the FM treatment and 50% replacement level for all protein sources, as well as between the FM treatment and 30% replacement with CPC. Replacement of FM with SBM at 40% resulted in the least cost/kg WG. In a follow‐up study, a combination of SBM–CGM–CPC at 40% replacement was evaluated with and without AA, phytase (0.2%), or taurine (1%), versus FM and SBM (40% replacement of FM) with AA. The SBM–CGM–CPC diet with either AA or taurine provided a significantly better food conversion ratio and less cost/kg WG than the SBM diet, and the SBM–CGM–CPC diet with taurine provided a significantly better protein efficiency ratio than the SBM diet. On the basis of these results, more study of taurine in plant protein diets for summer flounder appears warranted.     

Amino acid availability from selected animal‐ and plant‐ derived feedstuffs for market‐size sunshine bass (Morone chrysops × Morone saxatilis)

A study was conducted with market‐size (867 g) hybrid striped bass to determine the nutrient digestibility and apparent amino acid availability of six common feedstuffs. The animal‐protein feedstuffs tested were menhaden fish meal (MEN), anchovy fish meal (ANCH), pet‐food grade poultry by‐product meal (PBM‐pet), and feed‐grade poultry by‐product meal (PBM‐feed), while the plant‐protein feedstuffs were dehulled solvent extracted soybean meal (SBM) and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Test diets consisted of a 70 : 30 mixture of reference diet to test ingredient with chromic oxide (10 g kg^?1%) as the inert marker. Diets were randomly assigned to triplicate tanks of fish that were fed their respective diets for 7 days prior to fecal collection by stripping. Two feeding trials were conducted sequentially to determine the digestibility of the six test ingredients. In trial 1, the three ingredients evaluated were MEN, PBM‐feed, and PBM‐pet. In trial 2, the three ingredients evaluated were ANCH, SBM, and DDGS. Apparent digestibility coefficients of protein (ADC‐CP) were significantly (P < 0.05) different among test ingredients in trial 1 as protein digestibility of MEN (86%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of PBM‐feed (75%), but was not significantly different from that of PBM‐pet (78%). Protein digestibilities in trial 2 were not significantly different among test ingredients and averaged 76% for ANCH, SBM, and DDGS. Some apparent amino acid availability coefficients differed among feedstuffs for both trial 1 and trial 2. MEN provided higher amino acid availabilities for alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine, valine, and tryptophan (99%, 98%, 94%, 96%, 99%, and 108%, respectively) when compared to PBM‐feed (73%, 50%, 69%, 80%, 77%, and 91%, respectively) and PBM‐pet (79%, 66%, 81%, 81%, 78%, and 99% respectively). Glycine, histidine, leucine, and proline availabilities in MEN (95%, 96%, 100%, and 98%, respectively) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of PBM‐feed (64%, 82%, 82%, and 57%, respectively), but were not significantly different from PBM‐pet (85%, 92%, 89%, and 80%, respectively). For trial 2, apparent amino acid availabilities for cystine, isoleucine, lysine, and tyrosine were significantly higher (P < 0.05) among treatments fed SBM (100%, 87%, 93%, and 97%, respectively) and ANCH (37%, 95%, 92%, and 84%, respectively) compared to treatments fed DDGS (?13%, 52%, 62% and 62%, respectively). Overall, amino acid availability in SBM and the two PBM’s appear comparable to MEN and ANCH and corroborate their high value as potential replacements for fish meal in sunshine bass diets. However, DDGS provided the lowest availabilities for several amino acids and should be used with caution.     

Nutrient Digestibility of Reduced‐Soybean‐Meal Diets Containing Moringa or Leucaena Leaf Meals for Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

Vegetable leaf meals are cheaper feed ingredients than soybean meal (SBM) in developing countries, and leaf meals are less important as human food. We evaluated the nutrient digestibility of practical diets containing reduced levels of SBM in combination with leaf meals made from Moringa oleifera and Leucaena leucocephala in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Five isonitrogenous diets (32% crude protein) were made: the control diet contained 50% SBM, and the test diets were made by substituting 15 or 30% of SBM protein with either Moringa or Leucaena. Dry matter, protein, and lipid digestibility decreased with increasing Moringa or Leucaena in the diet. Protein and lipid digestibility were high across diets (75–90%). Ash digestibility of the control diet was similar to that of both Moringa diets, while the ash digestibility of the Leucaena diets was lower than other diets. Overall, nutrient digestibilities of Moringa diets exceeded those of Leucaena diets. Dry matter, protein, and lipid digestibilities decreased with increasing dietary fiber, which increased with increasing leaf meals. Ash digestibility was generally low for all diets. Better digestibility of practical diets containing Moringa compared to Leucaena indicates greater potential for Moringa to replace SBM in Nile tilapia diets without compromising fish performance.     

Corn‐expressed dietary phytase augments vertebral and scale mineral content in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Fishmeal (FM) is increasingly being replaced by plant proteins which are a relatively poor phosphorous source for mineralized tissues. To promote P availability plant‐based feedstuffs are supplemented with exogenous phytase. However, the effect of phytase on skeletal development in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) which have distinct mineral requirements is poorly understood. To address this juvenile trout were fed FM diet, a replacement feed (soybean meal, SBM) in which 50% (460 g kg^?1) of crude protein (from FM) was substituted with soybean‐meal or SBM supplemented with microbial or corn‐expressed phytase. Vertebral and scale morphology, remodelling and mineralization were then assessed by histomorphometric and colorimetric assays. Body weight and SGR of trout fed SBM was lower than FM fed fish with no improvement noted with any phytase supplement. Vertebral mineral content and autocentrum morphology were similar in trout fed SBM or FM and supplementation with microbial‐phytase did not enhance these parameters at any concentration. However, scale and vertebral mineral content were significantly enhanced in trout fed SBM supplemented with corn‐expressed phytase 1500 FTU kg^?1 (vertebral phosphorus P = 0.014, Ca P = 0.026; scale phosphorus P = 0.012). Thus, SBM feeds supplemented with corn‐expressed phytase could help reduce FM usage and generate a more robust skeleton less prone to deformity.     

Effect of replacing fish meal with soybean meal on growth,feed utilization and nitrogen and phosphorus excretion on rainbow trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>)

The effect of replacing fish meal with soybean meal (SBM) pretreated with phytase on feeds of juvenile rainbow trout was evaluated in a 90-day feeding trial. The rainbow trout (initial body weight, 4.01 ± 0.02 g) were fed five isonitrogenous (crude protein, 44.97%) and isolipidic (crude lipid, 13.42%) feeds. Diets were formulated to contain phytase-pretreated SBM replacing 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80% of fish meal protein, respectively. The results showed that there was no significant difference in weight gain (WG) among fish fed S0, S20, S40 and S60 diets; however, a significant reduction of this variable occurred when 80% of fish meal protein was replaced by phytase-treated SBM (P < 0.05). Similarly, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio had a similar trend with WG. Apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of protein and lipid in the S80 diet was significantly lower than that of the other diets, and the ADC of phosphorus significantly increased with the increase of dietary phytase-treated SBM level. No significant differences among treatments were detected for moisture, protein, lipid and ash content in whole body and muscle samples. Nitrogen and phosphorus excretion indicated that fish meal replacement by phytase-treated SBM led to an increase in nitrogen excretion, but led to a reduction in total phosphorus excretion. The results of the present study show that 60% of fish meal could be replaced by phytase-treated SBM in diets of juvenile rainbow trout without compromising weight gain or feed efficiency. A quadratic equation according to regression analysis of weight gain against dietary phytase-treated SBM level indicated that the optimal level of dietary phytase-treated SBM replacement for maximum growth was 26.90%.     

Apparent digestible protein,energy and amino acid availability of three plant proteins in Florida pompano,Trachinotus carolinus L. in seawater and low‐salinity water

Two experiments were conducted with Florida pompano, Trachinotus carolinus L. at 3 and 28 g L^?1 salinity to determine apparent crude protein digestibility (ACPD), energy digestibility (AED) and amino acid availability (AAAA) from soybean meal (SBM), soy protein isolate (SPI) and corn gluten meal (CGM). Mean AAAA was similar to ACPD. In fish adapted to 3 g L^?1 salinity, they were 81.2% and 81.9% (CGM), 93.6% and 92.2% (SBM), 93.8% and 93.1% (SPI) for AAAA and ACPD respectively. In fish adapted to 28 g L^?1, they were 84.5% and 83.4% (CGM), 86.5% and 87.1% (SBM), and 83.4% and 85.0% (SPI) for AAAA and ACPD respectively. The AED was highest for SPI and lowest for SBM and inversely related to carbohydrate. The ACPD, AED and AAAA of soy products appeared to be lower in high salinity, whereas CGM was unaffected. The data suggest that SBM, SPI and CGM should be further evaluated as partial fishmeal replacements in Florida pompano diets. Application of the generated coefficients can be used to develop well‐balanced, low‐cost diets for Florida pompano reared in low salinity or seawater.     

Dietary microbial phytase increased the phosphorus digestibility in juvenile Korean rockfish Sebastes schlegeli fed diets containing soybean meal

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary microbial phytase supplementation on nutrient digestibility, growth performance and body composition in juvenile Korean rockfish fed soybean meal-based diets.Nine experimental diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric to contain 48.6% crude protein (CP) and 15.9 kJ of available energy/g with or without dietary phytase (Natuphos-5000™, BASF, NJ, USA) supplementation. White fish meal (FM) provided 89.1% of the total protein in the basal diet (S₀), in the other eight diets, 30 or 40% FM protein was replaced by soybean meal: 70% FM+30% soybean meal (S₃₀); 70% FM+30% 1000 U phytase pretreated SM (S₃₀PP₁₀₀₀); 70% FM+30% SM+1000 U phytase/kg diet (S₃₀P₁₀₀₀); 70% FM+30% SM+2000 U phytase/kg diet (S₃₀P₂₀₀₀); 60% FM+40% SM (S₄₀); 60% FM+40% 1000 U P_tre SM (S₄₀PP₁₀₀₀); 60% FM+40% SM+1000 U phytase/kg diet (S₄₀P₁₀₀₀); and 60% FM+40% SM+2000 U phytase/kg diet (S₄₀P₂₀₀₀). After 2 weeks of the adaptation, triplicate groups of 20 fish initially averaging 7.25±0.04 g (mean±S.D.) were randomly distributed into the aquarium and were fed one of the experimental diets for 8 weeks.By the end of the 8-week feeding trial, supplementation of phytase significantly improved the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of phosphorus in rockfish diets (P<0.05) containing 30% and 40% soybean meal regardless of the level and method of phytase supplementation. Supplementation of phytase significantly increased the ADC of dry matter in diets containing 30% soybean meal (P<0.05). However, phytase had no influence on growth performance and whole body composition of fish. The pretreatment of soybean meal with 1000 U phytase improved weight gain (WG) when 30% fish meal protein was replaced by soybean meal. Based on the experimental results, we conclude that supplementation of phytase can improve the apparent digestibility coefficient of phosphorus in Korean rockfish.     

Response of Pacific White Shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,to Three Sources of Solvent Extracted Soybean Meal

Three sources of soybean meal (SBM) were biochemically characterized and evaluated in diets for juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei. Three biological techniques were utilized to evaluate the nutritional quality of the meals including an outdoor growth trial as well as determination of in vivo apparent digestibility and in vitro digestibility including pepsin digestibility (0.0002%), pH Stat degree of hydrolysis, and immobilized digestive enzyme assay (IDEA). The growth trial was conducted over a 10‐wk period using soybean meal as the primary protein source with each meal being included at 54–58% of the diet based on an equal protein inclusion. At the conclusion of the growth trial there were no significant differences between the test diets indicating equivalent biological availability under practical conditions. The in vivo digestibility trial utilized chromic oxide as the inert marker and 70:30 replacement techniques resulted in typical results. Apparent protein digestibility (APD) and apparent energy digestibility (AED) of the diets ranged from 66.8 to 80.2% and 65.4 to 74.7%, respectively. Ingredient digestibility values for protein and energy ranged from 78.8 to 93.5% and 60.5 to 85.0%, respectively. One of the three SBM evaluated had numerically lower protein digestibility and significantly lower energy digestibility than the other two meals .     

Evaluation of soybean meal in the formulated diets for juvenile Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878)

The influence of soybean meal (SBM) on the growth and feed utilization of juvenile sutchi catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, Sauvage, 1878) was investigated. Eight isonitrogenous (300 g kg^?1 CP) and isoenergetic (18 MJ kg^?1) diets were formulated incorporating Argentine SBM to replace fish meal at 0, 150, 300, 450, 600, 750, 900 and 1000 g kg^?1 dietary protein. Each diet was fed to three replicate groups of fish with an initial weight 6.0–6.2 g for twelve weeks. Growth performance decreased, and feed utilization was worsened with the increase in SBM inclusion in the diets. Final weight and relative growth rate (RGR) of fish fed control diet (0 SBM) were significantly higher than those fed test diets (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the final weight and RGR between the fish fed on 15 SBM, 30 SBM, 45 SBM and 60 SBM diets. Specific growth rate of fish fed 0 SBM, 15 SBM, 30 SBM and 45 SBM diets was significantly higher than those fed other diets. Feed conversion ratio of fish fed 0 SBM, 15 SBM, 30 SBM, 45 SBM and 60 SBM diets was significantly lower than those fed other diets (P < 0.05). The dry matter and protein digestibility were lesser in all the diets in comparison with the control diet. Hepatosomatic index and viscerosomatic index increased with increasing SBM in diet. This present trial indicated that fish meal can be replaced by SBM in the diet of juvenile sutchi catfish only up to 45% of fish meal protein without any adverse effect on growth, feed utilization and body composition.     

Effects of dietary phytase supplementation on growth performance and apparent digestibility coefficients of Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

A growth trial and a digestibility trial were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of phytase supplemented to practical shrimp feeds. The 5 weeks growth trial evaluated the effects of phytase supplementation in replete phosphorus (P) diets on the performances and compositions of juvenile Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. No significant differences were observed in final biomass, final mean weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein retention and survival across all the treatments. Shrimp reared on the P deficient diet had significantly higher P retention and lower whole body P levels as compared to shrimp fed the other diets. Copper content in the whole shrimp body was significantly increased in the treatment supplemented with 1,000 IU kg^?1 feed phytase. The digestibility trial was conducted to study the combined effects of phytase supplementation levels and diet type (plant‐based versus fishmeal‐based) on apparent digestibility coefficients of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. There were no effects of diet type so the data was combined. Phytase incorporation at both 500 and 2,000 IU kg^?1 significantly improved protein digestibility, whereas P digestibility was enhanced when 2,000 IU kg^?1 phytase was supplemented to the diet. Apparent digestibility coefficients of alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, ornithine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine and valine were significantly increased when fed diets contained 500 and 2,000 IU kg^?1 phytase supplementation. Results of this work demonstrate that under the conditions of the study growth was not enhanced by phytase supplementation in P replete diets. However, nutrient retention for Cu and digestibility of P, protein and a number of amino acids were enhanced.