高品质鱼粉加工装置研究

随着水产养殖业的高速发展,鱼粉作为优质水产饲料的原料在国内有着很大需求。为提高鱼粉生产的效率、提升鱼粉成品的品质,研制了一种高品质鱼粉加工装置。该装置优化了加工工艺和加工设备,精准控制鱼粉加工过程中蒸煮、压榨、干燥环节的工艺参数,通过引入蛋白质检测装置,精准控制蒸煮环节温度,以此降低蛋白质变质现象;采用双级干燥工艺和脂肪检测装置来降低鱼粉的含水量和脂肪含量。成品鱼粉品质的测定试验表明,该装置生产出的鱼粉与传统加工装置生产的鱼粉相比,蛋白质含量提高11%,脂肪含量降低17%。通过饲养试验进一步验证了鱼粉品质的优越性。从渔业可持续发展的角度来看,高品质鱼粉加工装置具有较好的市场前景。     

动植物蛋白源替代鱼粉研究进展

With the fast development of aquaculture, fish meal needs increased in recent years, however the quantity of fish catching decreases gradually. Fishmeal is a limited feed resource, and serious concem exists on the future availability of this feedstuff for incorporation in fish diets. Undoubtedly, fish meal is well recognized as the best dietary protein source for most marine carnivorous fishes which required high dietary protein levels compared to omnivorous or herbivorous fish. Fishmeal is known for their high content of essential amino acids and fatty acids, low carbohydrates, high digestibility, low levels of anti-nutritional factors (for fresh fish meal) and is a very good source of minerals and is highly palatable. Thus fish meal is in high demand as the protein source for many formulated diets. However, production of fish meal consumes approximately 35 % of the total global fish catch, and the increasing price and potentially unstable supply in the market could be limiting factors for marine fish culture. There have been strong efforts to define and develop cost-effective protein sources that can, at least partly, substitute for expensive high-quality fish meals in least-cost feed formulations. The search for fish meal substitutes and altemative dietary protein sources is an international research priority that could be of considerable economic advantages. Therefore it is urgent task to find animal and plant protein sources in place of fish meal. Among these, plant feedstuffs have received most attention in recent years, but due to their amino acid unbalances, .presence of anti-nutritional factors and low palatability, a high level of replacement of fish meal with plant feedstuffs in omnivorous fish is generally not well accepted. This paper reviews the research status for other protein sources replacing fish meal based on available information in the literature. Animal and plant protein sources nutrient values are evaluated from the aspect of digestibility, antinutrients, physiological status and suitable supplementation.     

Development of plant‐based diets and the evaluation of dietary attractants for juvenile Florida pompano,Trachinotus carolinus L.

Sustainable and profitable commercial aquaculture production of marine fish species is dependent on the development of sustainable protein sources as substitutes for expensive animal meals such as fishmeal (FM). Previous Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus studies have indicated that poultry by‐product meal (PBM) and meat and bone meal can be used to produce a FM‐free diet if suitable levels of nutrients (such as taurine) are included in the diets. In this study, we attempted to develop an all‐plant protein diet by removing the animal proteins in practical diets for pompano by substituting back select ingredients. A series of eight FM‐free diets were formulated, four systematically replaced soybean meal (SBM) with soy protein concentrate (SPC) and four replaced PBM with SPC. Based on the results, there is no clear disadvantage to the use of SPC as a replacement for SBM. However, the complete removal of PBM resulted in reduced performance. Two additional growth trials were conducted to supplement additional amino acids including glycine, valine and histidine, a proprietary chemical attractant mix, fish protein concentrate and squid hydrolysate to improve the growth of pompano when fed all‐plant protein diets. The only improvement in performance occurred with the squid hydrolysate. These results demonstrate that using soybean meal, soy protein concentrate and corn gluten meal as the primary protein sources, a plant‐based feed formulation can be developed, but the removal of all animal proteins is not yet feasible.     

Potential bioavailability of protein and lipids in feed ingredients for the three‐spot cichlid Amphilophus trimaculatus: An in vitro assessment

For the commercial culture of the three‐spot cichlid (Amphilophus trimaculatus), it is important to have available a set of protein and lipid ingredients suitable for feed manufacturing, which allow to optimize the culture at affordable costs. The in vitro digestibility was evaluated with pH‐stat technique, using stomach and intestine multi‐enzymatic extracts from A. trimaculatus juveniles. The digestion of protein ingredients was taken place both in acid and in alkaline conditions, quantifying the total of free amino acids at the end of the hydrolysis, whereas the digestion of lipid ingredients was taken place only in alkaline conditions. The digestive enzymes of this species showed a better affinity to raw materials of animal origin such as beef meal, fish meal and premium chicken meal, which presented better digestibility. The best lipid ingredient that could be used is the fish oil. However, it is possible to use ingredients from the plant sources, such as soy or cereals, and vegetable oils such as olive, corn or soy oil. It is necessary to complement this study in vitro with the digestibility analysis in vivo, in order to determine the inclusion percentages in feeds and costs and therefore to develop an efficient feed formulation for the aquaculture of A. trimaculatus.     

Replacing fish meal with increasing levels of meat and bone meal,soybean meal and corn gluten meal,in diets of juvenile bluegill,Lepomis macrochirus

A 60‐day study was conducted to determine the response of juvenile bluegill Lepomis macrochirus to seven experimental diets, formulated using a blend of alternative protein sources as a replacement for fish meal. Adequate levels (digestible basis) of energy, protein and amino acids were maintained in diets 1–6, whereas slightly lower protein and energy levels were provided in diet 7. Feed cost per tonne ranged from $ 798.9 (diet 1, 550 g Kg^?1 fish meal) to $ 515.8 (diet 6, 0 g kg^?1 fish meal), or to $ 507.2 (diet 7, 0 g Kg^?1 fish meal). Three commercial diets were included in the study as reference diets: a high‐energy and a low‐energy trout diet, as well as a catfish diet. Quintuplicate bluegill groups (~22 g, n = 10 fish group^?1) were fed the experimental diets twice daily to apparent satiation. No major differences in feed consumption, feed efficiency and growth rates were detected among the bluegill groups fed the experimental diets. Trout diets generally produced higher fish fat deposition, whereas the catfish diet produced a poorer fish growth rate relative to the experimental diets. Under the reported conditions, results indicate diet 6, comprising predominantly soybean meal and porcine meat and bone meal, to be the most economical diet for juvenile bluegill.     

Nutritional requirements of cobia, Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus): a review

Cobia culture has been rapidly gaining in popularity since the early 1990s; however, the relative success of modified commercial diets in aquaculture has delayed the need for specific research into the nutritional requirements of cobia. Recent work has determined optimum dietary protein and lipid levels in juvenile cobia at 45 and 5–15% dry weight respectively. Maximum growth and feed conversion ratios have been recorded at 27–29 °C in juvenile cobia with an optimum ration level determined at 9% initial body weight per day. There is limited information on amino acid and essential fatty acids (EFA) requirements in cobia. Several studies have explored alternate protein sources in juvenile cobia with relative success observed with meat meal, yeast-based protein and various plant based sources including soybean meal. There is no literature on the vitamin or mineral requirements of cobia or the nutritional requirements of larger fish. Therefore future research should focus on the amino acid, EFA, vitamin and mineral requirements of cobia while the protein, lipid and energy requirements of larger cobia should be addressed. Additional work on feed ingredients, choice and palatability would also aid in maximizing culture production while minimizing costs thereby producing a more sustainable product.     

4种豆粕替代鱼粉对大黄鱼生长、抗氧化及抗菌能力的影响

分别用9种等氮等能的饲料投喂初始体质量为(34.72±0.28)g的大黄鱼(Pseudosciaena crocea)。其中1组投喂对照饲料(含50%鱼粉,不含豆粕),另外8个试验组分别投饲由去皮豆粕(DSM)、酶解豆粕(ESM)、发酵豆粕Ⅰ(FSMⅠ)和发酵豆粕Ⅱ(FSMⅡ)替代20%和40%的鱼粉的饲料,9组分别命名为FM、DSM20、DSM40、ESM20、ESM40、FSMⅠ20、FSMⅠ40、FSMⅡ20、FSMⅡ40。在海水浮式网箱中进行7周的养殖实验后,评定4种豆粕替代鱼粉的可行性及适宜替代水平。结果显示,试验组与对照组鱼存活率和特定生长率无显著差异(P0.05)。血清生化指标显示,FM组和FSMⅡ20组超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性显著高于其它试验组(P0.05),FM、DSM20、FSMⅠ40、FSMⅡ20组过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性显著高于DSM40、ESM20、ESM40及FSMⅠ20组(P0.05),不同试验组的丙二醛(MDA)含量均不同程度高于对照组。酶解豆粕替代40%鱼粉导致实验鱼的血清对哈维氏弧菌的抵抗能力下降,去皮豆粕替代20%鱼粉导致血清对溶藻弧菌抵抗能力下降;但发酵豆粕不影响血清及黏液对3种菌的抵抗能力。研究表明,以特定生长率、饲料转化率和抗菌能力为评价指标,发酵豆粕是鱼粉的最佳替代源,发酵豆粕Ⅰ和Ⅱ均能替代20%~40%的鱼粉,但存在抗氧化能力下降的风险,尤其是发酵豆粕Ⅰ40%替代组;去皮豆粕和酶解豆粕替代鱼粉在抗菌能力和抗氧化能力方面无优势。     

Stable isotope analysis to quantify contributions of supplementary feed in Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (GIFT strain) aquaculture

Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is currently one of the most farmed freshwater fish and contributes significantly to total global aquaculture production. The genetically improved strain of O. niloticus (GIFT) was introduced to Papua New Guinea (PNG) in 1999 to improve food and income security. The high cost and low availability of commercial fish feed hinder the growth of GIFT farming in PNG. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes were used to determine the role of supplementary and natural food sources in the diet of GIFT in pond‐based aquaculture. Two treatments were used: treatment 1 was daily feeding, and treatment 2 was weekly feeding, each with three replicates. Isotopic analysis of muscle tissue and all potential food sources showed that pellet feed contributed 7% to the growth of GIFT in daily‐fed ponds and 33% in the weekly‐fed ponds. Highly enriched δ¹⁵N values for chicken manure, compared to depleted values for GIFT and other natural food sources in both treatments, clearly indicate insignificant contributions of this input to production. After 90 days of cultivation, the average final body weight of GIFT receiving daily feed inputs was 134 g (average 19 cm), while for weekly‐fed it was 92 g (17 cm). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was poor (6.4:1) in the daily‐fed GIFT ponds compared to a better, and preferable, FCR (1:1) in the weekly‐fed ponds. The findings of this study show that pelleted feed was not the major contributor to the growth of GIFT. Genetically improved farmed tilapia aquaculture should focus on enhancing natural food availability for fish production.     

Feeding of juvenile cobia,Rachycentron canadum: Evaluation of practical feeds,comparison of commercial fishmeal replacers,and estimation of essential amino acid requirements

Three studies were conducted with juvenile cobia, Rachycentron canadum: (Study 1) a 10‐week feeding trial within floating net cages to test the nutritional efficacy of different dietary feeding regimes (trash‐fish control diet, a semimoist diet, an in‐house dry formulated diet, and a commercial cobia feed); (Study 2) a 10‐week feeding trial within an indoor water‐recirculating tank‐based system to test the nutritional efficiency of different potential dietary fishmeal replacers (poultry byproduct meal, soy protein concentrate, feather meal), a diet without taurine supplementation, and a commercial cobia feed; and (Study 3) estimation of the essential amino acid (EAA) requirements of cobia based on EAA whole‐body composition in fast‐growing cobia fed a trash‐fish‐based diet. Fish performance in terms of growth and feed efficiency was the greatest within the outdoor net‐cage feeding trial, with fish fed the control trash‐fish‐based diet exhibiting the best performance. Although fish growth was poorer within the indoor feeding trials, fish performance was similar for most diets, with apparent crude protein digestibility coefficients of over 75% being obtained in all experimental diets in both feeding trials. The estimated EAA requirements of cobia obtained during this study were similar to those reported for other similar marine carnivorous fish species.     

Apparent digestibility of animal,plant and microbial ingredients for Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

A digestibility trial was conducted to determine apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, protein, energy and amino acids of animal, plant and microbial ingredients for Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. The tested ingredients included traditional soybean meal (TSBM), PepsoyGen soybean meal (PSBM), NutriVance soybean meal (NSBM), fish meal (FM), poultry meal (PM), squid hydrolysis (SQH), scallop hydrolysis (SCH), flash dried yeast (FDY), two batches of Ulva meal (UMF and UMS) and bacteria biomass (BB). A basal diet was formulated and produced along with the experimental diets which included 300 g/kg of each ingredient and 700 g/kg of the basal diet. Juvenile shrimp (initial mean weight: 12 g, six shrimp/tank, n = 3) were stocked in a recirculation system. Apparent dry matter, protein and energy digestibility coefficients ranged from ?40.11% to 78.51%, 15.17% to 97.03% and 13.33% to 82.56% among different protein sources, respectively. In general, protein and energy digestibilities in soy sources (77.6% to 97.03% and 62.77% to 82.56%, respectively) are higher than the tested animal protein (51.39% to 71.41% and 45.29% to 69.77%, respectively) and single‐cell protein sources (15.17% to 53.47% and 13.33% to 40.39%, respectively). Among the three soybean sources, TSBM showed highest protein and energy digestibility. Apparent individual amino acid digestibility coefficients were also variable among different types of ingredients, and there was a reasonable correspondence to protein digestibility. The most digestible feed ingredients for Pacific white shrimp in this study were conventional soybean meal (SBM) and NutriVance soybean meal (NSBM), which indicated that these ingredients are good protein and amino acid sources for Pacific white shrimp. Resultant digestibility data may provide useful information to commercial shrimp feed industry.     

Demonstration of alternative feeds for the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, reared in low salinity waters of west Alabama

The replacement of marine proteins with vegetable proteins or terrestrial animal byproducts in aquaculture diets has been gaining momentum. This study examines the viability of replacing fish meal in shrimp production diets with alternative protein sources (combinations of vegetable proteins) in inland low salinity waters of west Alabama. The test diets were formulated to contain 36% protein and 8% lipid. The basal diet contained 10% fish meal. The fish meal was then replaced (on a weight to weight basis) with poultry meal (PM), pea meal or distiller's dried grain with solubles (DDGS). Two separate experiments (laboratory trial and farm trial) were devised to test the efficacy of the diets for Litopenaeus vannamei reared in low salinity waters. The laboratory trial was conducted at the E. W. Shell Fisheries Research Station in Auburn, Alabama, USA, whereas the farm trial examined the same diets in an outdoor flow-through system at a low salinity shrimp farm in west Alabama. Results indicate no significant differences in shrimp growth, weight gain, survival or feed conversion ratio among dietary treatments, suggesting that PM, pea meal and DDGS can serve as alternatives to fish meal as a protein source for shrimp reared in low salinity environments.     

Expanding the utilization of sustainable plant products in aquafeeds: a review

Continued growth and intensification of aquaculture production depends upon the development of sustainable protein sources to replace fish meal in aquafeeds. This document reviews various plant feedstuffs, which currently are or potentially may be incorporated into aquafeeds to support the sustainable production of various fish species in aquaculture. The plant feedstuffs considered include oilseeds, legumes and cereal grains, which traditionally have been used as protein or energy concentrates as well as novel products developed through various processing technologies. The nutritional composition of these various feedstuffs are considered along with the presence of any bioactive compounds that may positively or negatively affect the target organism. Lipid composition of these feedstuffs is not specifically considered although it is recognized that incorporating lipid supplements in aquafeeds to achieve proper fatty acid profiles to meet the metabolic requirements of fish and maximize human health benefits are important aspects. Specific strategies and techniques to optimize the nutritional composition of plant feedstuffs and limit potentially adverse effects of bioactive compounds are also described. Such information will provide a foundation for developing strategic research plans for increasing the use of plant feedstuffs in aquaculture to reduce dependence of animal feedstuffs and thereby enhance the sustainability of aquaculture.     

A review of nutritional biology and dietary requirements of redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens 1868)

Redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus, von Martens 1868) is a freshwater decapod crustacean with a number of biological and commercial attributes that make it an excellent aquaculture species. The redclaw aquaculture industry has been growing rapidly since the mid‐1980s in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Redclaw aquaculture is mostly in extensive pond systems, but interest in developing more intensive systems is increasing. To support continued intensification, development of high‐quality practical diet formulations and information about redclaw nutrition requirements are necessary. A number of studies have determined optimum dietary protein and lipid requirements for juvenile redclaw. However, there is limited information on essential amino acid and fatty acid requirements. Several studies report the presence of various digestive enzymes that have been linked to the ability of the species to digest a wide range of dietary components. Furthermore, as in many other aquaculture species, there is a need to replace fishmeal with other protein sources. A number of studies explored the possibility of replacing fish meal with various terrestrial plant sources of protein and lipids and showed that redclaw can be offered diets containing low‐cost, plant‐based ingredients without compromising survival, growth and, to a certain extent, reproduction. Formulated diets containing less expensive, plant ‐ based ingredients will contribute to a more profitable and environmentally sustainable redclaw aquaculture industry. Finally, there is also a paucity of information on vitamin and mineral requirements of redclaw and little information on nutrient requirements of broodstock. For the redclaw aquaculture industry to thrive, we need to have a better understanding of nutrient requirements at all life stages.     

Effects of replacing fish meal with soybean meal and peanut meal on growth,feed utilization and haemolymph indexes for juvenile white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei,Boone

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing fish meal (FM) with soybean meal (SBM) and peanut meal (PM) on growth, feed utilization, body composition and haemolymph indexes of juvenile white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, Boone. Five diets were formulated: a control diet (FM30) containing 30% fish meal and four other diets (FM20, FM15, FM10 and FM5) in which protein from fish meal was substituted by protein from SBM and PM. The dietary amino acids of diets FM20, FM15, FM10 and FM5 were equal to those of the diet FM30 by adding crystalline amino acids (lysine and methionine). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 shrimps (initial weight = 0.48 g), each three times daily. The results indicated that shrimp fed the diets FM15, FM10 and FM5 had poor growth performance and feed utilization compared with shrimp fed the control diet. No difference was observed in feed intake, survival and body composition among dietary treatments. The plasma total cholesterol level of shrimp and the digestibility of dry matter, protein and energy contained in the diets decreased significantly with increasing PM and SBM inclusion levels. Results of this study suggested that fish meal can be reduced from 300 to 200 g kg^?1 when replaced by a mixture of SBM and PM.     

Potential of local agricultural by-products for the rearing of African catfish Clarias gariepinus in Rwanda: effects on growth, feed utilization and body composition

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of replacing fish meal with local by‐products on Clarias gariepinus growth performance, feed utilization and body composition. A control diet contained 50% of fish meal. In four other diets, fish meal was partially replaced by vegetable and animal protein blend composed of sunflower oil cake, soybean oil cake, groundnut oil cake, bean meal, chicken viscera and blood meal. The study was conducted in a recirculating water system at a mean temperature of 23.6°C. The five test diets were compared with a commercial diet developed for African catfish. All diets were balanced to be equal in gross energy (19 kJ g⁻¹) and crude protein (40%). The experimental groups were fed in triplicate for 8 weeks, increasing fish weight from about 6.2 g at start to 52.3 g in the end. Best specific growth rate (SGR=3.4), feed efficiency (FE=1.3) and protein efficiency ratio (PER=3) were obtained with the control diet (diet 50% fish meal), although there were no significant differences between the group of fish fed the control diet and those fed diets based on groundnut oil cake or bean meal, whereas SGR (2.17), FE (0.85) and PER (1.95) were significantly (P<0.01) lower in fish fed diet containing sunflower oil cake. No significant differences (P<0.05) were found in fish fed commercial diet and diets containing bean meal or groundnut oil cake. Groundnut oil cake or bean meal can thus replace at least 50% of fish meal in the diet of Clarias fingerlings without amino acid supplementation. Because of its economic importance and its potential in animal nutrition sunflower oil cake is still an interesting feed ingredient, but its efficiency should be improved by various processing techniques. African catfish can utilize efficiently a diet with low percentage of animal protein without growth reduction.     

Effects of replacing fish meal by soybean meal along with supplementing phosphorus and magnesium in diet on growth performance of Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus

Looking for replacing fish meal by cheaper and more sustainable protein sources is essential for reducing the cost of fish feeds. Soybean meal is a suitable alternative protein sources for carnivorous fish such as Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus. However, it contains antinutritional factors that may affect bioavailability of minerals and lead in reduced growth. Achieving a cost-effective diet that does not have negative effects on growth is the goal of aquaculture programs. A 10-week experiment was conducted with Persian sturgeon (352.07 ± 5.51 g) to determine the combined effects of phosphorous (SP), magnesium and phosphorous (SPMg), phytase (SF), phytase and magnesium (SFMg), phosphorous and phytase (SPF), phosphorous, magnesium and phytase (SPMgF) on weight gain, feed efficiency, specific growth rate, and condition factor. A control diet was prepared with fish meal as a control group. Inclusion of P, Mg, and phytase contents within soybean diets did not improve feed efficiency, and still, the control diet containing fish meal showed better weight gain and feed efficiency. Among soybean meal groups, feed efficiency and specific growth rate were significantly improved for fish fed the diet containing just phytase (SF) and both phytase and phosphorus (P ≤ 0.05). It was true for specific growth rate and condition factor. Phytase significantly enhanced growth whether included with or without phosphorous. This study showed that fish meal is more sufficient for Persian sturgeon, and soybean meal could be partly an alternative protein source if phosphorous supplied for fish by incorporation with microbial phytase or phosphorous.     

Effect of replacing fish meal with soybean meal on growth,feed utilization and nitrogen and phosphorus excretion of juvenile Pseudobagrus ussuriensis

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing fish meal with soybean meal (SBM) on growth, feed utilization, and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) excretion of juvenile Pseudobagrus ussuriensis (initial average weight 0.50 ± 0.00 g). Seven isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated to contain SBM to replace fish meal protein at 0% (S0), 10% (S10), 20% (S20), 30% (S30), 40% (S40), 50% (S50) and 60% (S60) respectively. To investigate the effects of supplementation with crystalline amino acid to balance diet S60, one diet was formulated to add 0.30% methionine (SM60). The results showed that there was no significant difference in weight gain among fish fed S0, S10, S20, S30 and S40 diets, however, a significant reduction in this variable occurred when 50% and 60% of fish meal protein was replaced by SBM (P < 0.05). Apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein and phosphorus of diets were affected by dietary SBM levels. N and P excretion indicate that fish meal replacement by SBM led to an increase in N excretion, but led to a reduction in P excretion. No differences were detected in growth, feed utilization and N and P excretion between fish feed diets S60 and SM60. The results of this study show that 40% of fish meal protein could be replaced by SBM in diets of juvenile P. ussuriensis without having a significant negative effect on growth or feed efficiency, but that higher dietary SBM levels reduce fish performance.     

Comparison of amino acid profiles of feeds and fish as a quick method for selection of feed ingredients: a case study for Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier)

The amino acid profile of Colossoma macropomum was determined. Indispensable amino acid levels were similar to those reported in other fish species. Suitability of local, Costa Rican, ingredients as protein sources for C. macropomum was evaluated based on their protein content and indispensable amino acid profile. It was calculated that, in a standard diet (40% protein. 25% fish meal), blood meal, soya meal, poultry byproducts, meat and bone meal, and meat meal can substitute more than 80% of the fish meal. More than 40% of the fish meal can be substituted by shrimp meal, pigeon pea, cotton meal, peanut oil cake, cow pea, corn gluten and water hyacinth. As differences between amino acid profiles between fish species seem to be small, promising alternative ingredients for C. macropomum might be equally interesting for formulation of feeds for other species. Soya meal is the currently used ingredient with the highest potential to substitute fish meal completely. Further research is needed to determine if the use of alternative ingredients is limited by constraints such as decreased feed digestibility, presence of anti-nutritional factors, additional production and processing costs.     

Recent advances in the development of innovative chemical methods for determining the nutritional value of fish meals and aquafeeds

Aspartic acid racemization and oxysterol content have been evaluated as indicators of fish meal and aquafeed nutritional value in a series of studies reviewed in the present paper. Kinetic studies and assessment of the d -aspartic acid content of commercial fish meals and fish feeds supported the use of the extent of racemization of this amino acid as a reliable indicator of the thermal history of fish meal. Preliminary results suggest that d -aspartic acid could be a useful indicator of the protein nutritional value for fish, expressed by nitrogen retention or in vivo digestibility. However, species-related differences seem to occur. Therefore, further studies are needed to evaluate the reliability of d -aspartic acid content as an indicator of protein nutritional value affected by processing conditions. With regard to lipid quality, two major oxysterols, namely 7β-hydroxycholesterol and 7-ketocholesterol, have been identified and quantified in commercial fish meals. The measured levels were very low compared with the values reported in the literature for fish products, probably because of antioxidant addition during fish meal processing. An effect of storage time on cholesterol oxidation was also demonstrated in a laboratory-scale experiment. Research needs for the future include a deeper understanding of the chemical reactions affecting the nutritional quality of aquafeeds, development of innovative and reliable chemical methods for raw material and feed quality assessment, and identification of critical control points in the manufacturing process to try to maintain the original nutritional value of raw materials.     

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.