Supplementing enzymes to extruded,soybean‐based diet improves breakdown of non‐starch polysaccharides in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Plant‐based feed ingredients typically contain remnants of dietary fibres [DF; non‐starch polysaccharides (NSP) and lignin] that have various antinutritive effects in carnivorous fish. Exogenous enzymes have been shown to improve the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of plant‐based diets presumably by assisting in the breakdown of NSP. This study examined the effects on NSP degradation when supplementing β‐glucanase, xylanase, protease or a mix of the three enzymes to an extruded, juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) diet containing 344 g kg^?1 de‐hulled, solvent‐extracted soybean meal (SBM). The NSP content in the non‐supplemented control diet and in faecal samples from the dietary treatment groups was analysed to determine the recovery/apparent digestibility of cellulose and total non‐cellulosic polysaccharide (T‐NCP) sugar monomers. The enzymes had significant, positive effects at the pH range and temperature prevailing in the gastrointestinal tract: β‐glucanase improved the ADC of mannose, galactose and uronic acids; xylanase and protease improved the ADC of xylose; and protease furthermore improved the ADC of mannose and uronic acids. There were no effects when supplementing all three enzymes together. In conclusion, exogenous enzymes may potentially be applied to fish feed containing SBM, assisting in the breakdown of NSP and alleviating some of the antinutritive effects.     

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 replacing soybean meal with rubber seed meal on digestive enzyme activity,nutrient digestibility and retention in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis aureus)

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with rubber seed meal (RSM) on digestive enzyme activity, nutrient digestibility and retention in juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis aureus). Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated with 0 (control), 100, 200, 300 and 400 g kg⁻¹ RSM replacing graded levels of SBM respectively. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 fish (initial average weight 5.2 g) per aquarium in a rearing system maintained at 29 ± 1°C for 8 weeks. The hepatic protease and lipase activities gradually decreased with increasing dietary RSM level, but no significant differences were observed among the low inclusion level (0–200 g kg⁻¹) groups. The apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein, crude lipid and ash showed a similar trend as the hepatic protease and lipase activities. The retentions of protein and individual essential amino acid (except lysine, threonine and leucine) in fish fed diet with 200 g kg⁻¹ RSM were similar to those in fish fed the control diet. These results indicate that dietary RSM inclusion level up to 200 g kg⁻¹ did not markedly affect the digestive enzyme activity, nutrient digestibility and retention in tilapia, whereas these were depressed by the inclusion of 400 g kg⁻¹ RSM.     

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.     

Capacity for digestive hydrolysis and amino acid absorption in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fed diets with soybean meal or inulin with or without addition of antibiotics

This experiment was done to study the effects of dietary soybean meal (SBM) and inulin (a prebiotic) on the capacity for digestive hydrolysis and amino acid absorption by Atlantic salmon, and how a dietary supplement of the broad-spectrum antibiotic oxytetracycline (OTC) modulated these responses. A control diet (FM) was made from fish meal, fish oil and extruded wheat. Two similar diets were made with 250 g soybean meal (SBM) or 75 g inulin kg^− 1. Each diet was made with or without a supplement of 3 g OTC kg^− 1. All six diets contained yttrium oxide for estimation of apparent nutrient absorption. Each diet was fed to two groups of 172 g salmon kept in 1 m² tanks with 9 °C saltwater for 3 weeks. Intestinal organs were then sampled and weighed. Gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) were sectioned for analyses of brush border alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) activities. Tissue from the distal intestine (DI) was also fixed for histological examination. Digesta from the different sections were freeze dried for estimation of trypsin and amylase activities, and of apparent absorption of amino acids (AA), nitrogen (N), and sulphur (S). About 85% of the trypsin activity, 70% of the amylase activity, 85% of the ALP activity, and 82% of the LAP activity were found in the proximal (PI) and mid (MI) intestine of fish with functional DI, and the absorption of AA, N, and S was quantitatively completed in the MI. Dietary OTC resulted in lower relative liver weight, but apart from increased ALP and LAP activities in DI when feeding OTC in combination with inulin, OTC did not modify the responses to dietary SBM or inulin. Dietary SBM resulted in lower relative liver weight, and induced pathomorphological changes in the DI mucosa, thus lower the ALP and LAP activities in the DI. SBM also stimulated absorption of AA, N, and S in the PI, but at the same time increased the activities of trypsin and amylase in the DI, indicating reduced re-absorption and increased faecal losses of these endogenous enzymes. Dietary inulin did not damage the DI, and stimulated intestinal growth and higher relative mass of the GIT. Inulin without OTC did not affect the hydrolytic and absorptive capacity of the salmon GIT.     

Digestibility, faeces recovery, and related carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus balances of five feed ingredients evaluated as fishmeal alternatives in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L.

This study shows that alternatives for fishmeal in a fish diet affect not only fish growth but also faeces stability and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) waste production. Wheat gluten diet (WGD), soybean meal extract diet (SBE), soybean meal diet (SBM), duckweed diet (DWD) and single‐cell protein diet (SCP) were evaluated as a fishmeal replacement on a 15% weight weight^?1 basis in tilapia diets. Fishmeal replacement affected dry matter (dm), protein, ash and P digestibility significantly. Faeces recovery (6.8–11.2%) was not significantly affected, although the amount of non‐recovered faeces and total faeces showed significant differences. Duckweed diet and SCP resulted in the largest amounts of non‐recovered and total faeces (199–210, 224–225 g dm kg^?1 feed dm). Compared with fishmeal diet (FMD), the WGD and SBE resulted in similar growth, but higher non‐faecal N losses (471–495 vs. 416 g N kg^?1 N). Soybean meal diet, DWD and SCP resulted in lower growth but less non‐faecal loss (409–450 g N kg^?1 N). The DWD and FMD had the highest N retention (480 g N kg^?1 N) compared with the other diets (431–451 g N kg^?1 N). Carbon retention, faecal and non‐faecal losses and P retention were similar for all diets (302–358, 142–176 and 489–523g C kg^?1 C, 606–704 g P kg^?1 P). Phosphorus faecal loss was lower for all diets (329–381 g P kg^?1 P) than for the FMD (401 g P kg^?1 P).     

Size-fractionated fish hydrolysate as feed ingredient for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed high plant protein diets. I: Growth, growth regulation and feed utilization

Six experimental diets were fed to rainbow trout to examine the effect of fish hydrolysate and ultra filtered fish hydrolysate on growth performance, feed utilization and growth regulation using diets low in dietary fish meal inclusion. One diet contained a high level of plant protein sources (90.6% of total dietary protein) and a low level of fish meal (9.4% of dietary protein). Two diets contained different levels of hydrolysate in exchange for the plant protein sources, reducing the plant protein level to 73.9% and 57.2%, respectively. Two further diets were identical in composition except that the hydrolysate was ultra filtered to remove low molecular weight compounds. A moderate level of fish meal was used in the sixth diet which had a dietary plant protein level of 57.0%. All diets were made equal in protein, lipid, energy and lysine. The feeding trial lasted for 90 days and for the fastest growing group, fed moderate level of fish meal, the fish increased in weight from 149 g at start to a final weight of 443 g. All groups showed significant differences in growth and feed utilizations. Specific growth rates were; 0.30% day^− 1 for the plant protein diet, 0.98% day^− 1 for the high hydrolysate diet, 0.72% day^− 1 for the group containing the high level of ultra filtered hydrolysate, and 1.21% day^− 1 for the moderate fish meal diet. Feed efficiencies (g fish weight gain per g feed intake) were found to be 0.57 for plant protein diet, 0.97 for high level of hydrolysate, 0.83 for ultra filtered hydrolysate and 1.03 for the moderate fish meal diet. Half dietary inclusions of hydrolysate and ultra filtered hydrolysate revealed values between the plant protein diets and high levels of these ingredients, respectively. Feed consumption in percentage of average fish weight per day, correlated with the feed efficiency for all groups. PER, PPV and BV correlated with the differences in growth. Protein digestibilities were equal for all groups, while the moderate fish meal diet showed higher lipid and energy digestibilities than the plant protein diets. Although some of the differences may be due to growth inhibitors in plant resources other explanations may be relevant. Plasma growth hormone (GH) levels were significantly higher in fish fed the plant protein diet than fish fed the fish meal or high hydrolysate diet, which is most likely a result of their poor feeding status. Plasma IGF-I levels were not affected by diet. Comparisons of groups with similar inclusion of plant ingredients, and thus equal level of growth inhibitors, show that in removing small molecular weight compounds from fish hydrolysate, the growth and feed efficiency were significantly reduced. Some of these small compounds in fish hydrolysate thus seem to be essential for biological performance. Further, as fish meal revealed the best performance, fish muscle protein is not the only nutrient that makes fish meal an essential ingredient in aqua feed for carnivorous fish. This information is important in the work to find replacement of fish meal in a sustainable growing global aquaculture industry.     

Digestibility of diets containing different soybean meals in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua); comparison of collection methods and mapping of digestibility in different sections of the gastrointestinal tract

The purpose of the experiment was to evaluate effects of partial replacement of fish meal with soybean meal on digestibility in Atlantic cod and effects of biotechnological processing of soybean meal. Other objectives were to find out if apparent digestibility in cod was affected by age, temperature and/or faecal sampling methods, and to map digestion and absorption patterns along the intestinal tract for different age classes and diets. A control diet with fish meal as the main protein source (FM), a diet with 24% of crude protein from conventional extracted soybean meal (SBM), and a diet with 24% of crude protein from a bioprocessed soybean meal (BP-SBM) were used. Yttrium oxide was added as an inert marker for digestibility determination. The diets were fed to duplicate groups of 534 g (1-year-old) and 1750 g (2-year-old) cod in seawater. Faeces were stripped from the distal-most section (distal chamber) of the intestine after 48 and 84 days of feeding. In addition, intestinal contents were removed by dissection after 84 days. The dissected intestine was divided into 5 sections and contents were analysed separately. Dietary soy did not alter the viscosity of the digesta. The replacement of fish meal protein with soybean protein reduced the apparent digestibility of crude protein, fat, energy and almost all amino acids, independent of type of soybean meal processing. Larger fish had higher digestibility of starch, ash and several amino acids than smaller fish. A temperature decrease from 9.1 °C at feeding day 48 to 6.8 °C at day 84 resulted in lower digestibility of starch, ash and several amino acids. Absorption of amino acids was quantitatively terminated in the distal part of the mid intestine when feeding the soy-containing diets, but continued into the distal chamber when feeding the FM diet. Absorption of fat was completed in the proximal part of the mid intestine when feeding the soy-containing diets, but continued into the middle part of the mid intestine when feeding the FM diet. Soy did not affect absorption pattern of starch along the intestinal tract. Faecal sampling by dissection resulted in higher apparent digestibility of macronutrients than stripping in the 2-year-old cod, and higher apparent digestibility of protein in the 1-year olds.     

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.     

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.     

Effect of replacing fish meal with soybean meal on growth, feed utilization and carcass composition of cuneate drum (Nibea miichthioides)

The effect of replacing fish meal with soybean meal (SBM) in practical feeds for cuneate drum was evaluated in an 8-week net pen trial. The cuneate drum fingerlings (initial body weight 29.8 ± 1.3 g fish^− 1) were fed six isonitrogenous and isocaloric feeds containing 39% digestible protein and 16 MJ kg^− 1 digestible energy. The control feed was formulated to contain 40% herring meal, whereas in the other five feeds SBM was included at 11.3, 22.5, 33.8, 45.0 and 56.3% to replace 20, 40, 60, 80 or 100% of the fish meal. There were no significant differences in feed intake between fish fed the control feed and feeds in which SBM replaced 20 to 80% of the fish meal, but fish fed the fish meal free feed had higher feed intake than the other treatments. Weight gain linearly declined with the decrease of fish meal level. Final body weight (FBW) of fish fed the feeds in which SBM replaced 20% of the fish meal did not significantly differ from fish fed the control feed. Replacing 40 to 100% of the fish meal resulted in lower FBW and nitrogen retention efficiency (NRE), and higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) than those of fish fed the control feed. Fish fed the feeds in which SBM replaced 60 to 100% of the fish meal had lower condition factor and hepatosomatic index than those of fish fed the control feed. No significant differences in carcass protein content was found among the treatments, but fish fed the feeds in which SBM replaced 60 to 100% of the fish meal had higher moisture and lower lipid content in carcass than those of fish fed the control feed. Results of the present study appear to indicate that cuneate drum has a limited ability to utilize SBM as a protein source in practical feeds.     

Comparative effects of dietary supplementation with maggot meal and soybean meal in gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) and darkbarbel catfish (Pelteobagrus vachelli): growth performance and antioxidant responses

A 6‐week growth trial was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with maggot meal (MGM) and soybean meal (SBM) on the growth performance and antioxidant responses of gibel carp (GC) and darkbarbel catfish (DC). The basal diet was formulated to contain 114 g kg⁻¹ fish meal (FM) and 200 g kg⁻¹ SBM. The basal diet was supplemented with either 280 g kg⁻¹ FM (Control), 390 g kg⁻¹ MGM or 450 g kg⁻¹ SBM to obtain three isonitrogenous (crude protein: 380 g kg⁻¹) and isocaloric (gross energy: 16 kJ g⁻¹) diets. For GC, a significant decrease in specific growth rate (SGR) was only observed in fish fed the SBM diet compared with the control (P < 0.05). Principal components analysis (PCA) of GC showed a higher similarity in antioxidant response to dietary supplementation with MGM and SBM proteins between liver and intestine, but the DC did not. The present results suggest that supplementing 390 g kg⁻¹ MGM protein to basal diet cause an enhancement of the antioxidant capacity in GC, but supplementing 390 g kg⁻¹ MGM and 450 g kg⁻¹ SBM proteins to basal diets resulted in a significant attenuation of the antioxidant capacity in DC.     

A comparison of the digestibility of diets and ingredients fed to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) or barramundi (Lates calcarifer) – the potential for inference of digestibility values among species

This study aimed to determine if the diet and ingredient digestibilities from one carnivorous species of fish could be applied to another carnivorous species of fish. To do this, the digestibility of a series of diets and grain and poultry waste ingredients were compared when fed to either rainbow trout or barramundi. The same batches of diets were fed to either species prior to faecal collection using stripping techniques. There were strong correlations between the digestibilities of the diets and ingredients between the two species for each of the dry matter, protein and energy digestibility parameters. Both diet and ingredient digestibility values were similar for both species, although protein and dry matter digestibilities were generally higher for trout. The correlations were generally stronger for diet digestibilities than the ingredient digestibilities with the diet energy digestibility the strongest of the correlations (R² =0.925, P = 0.0001). Ingredient digestibilities were weakest for the protein digestibility (R² = 0.552, P = 0.0218), and this relationship is heavily dependent on one or two outlier values. The strong correlation between both diet and ingredient digestibilities between the two fish species indicates that there is considerable potential for the application of digestibility data for one carnivorous species to another.     

Nutrient digestibilities, weight gain and plasma and liver levels of carbohydrate in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar, L.) fed diets containing oats and maize

The aim of the study was evaluation of whole oat meal as an ingredient in salmon diets. Atlantic salmon (145 g) were fed diets with 0, 100, 150, 200, 250 or 300 g kg¹ of oats (oat series), or diets containing 300 g kg^?1 of mixes of oats and maize (oat maize series). The mixes of oats/maize were 0/300, 60/240, 120/180, 180/120, 240/60 and 300/0 g kg^?1. Net pens in sea water were used. The growth trial lasted 72 days and was followed by a digestibility trial. Oat starch, which had not been subjected to any form of heat treatment, was found to be well digested at low dietary incorporation levels. In the oat series, starch digestibility decreased with increasing starch level and lipid digestibility improved, whereas no changes were observed in protein digestibilities. The fish absorbed significantly more starch from the diet with oat/maize mix 180/120 g kg^?1 than from the diet with only oats or maize. A significant growth reduction was observed in the oat series as oat inclusion increased. Absorbed starch (calculated value) was not significantly correlated to plasma glucose or insulin level, but was found to be positively correlated to liver glycogen in the maize oat series.     

Time related alterations in digestibility and faecal characteristics as affected by dietary composition in the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.)

After being shifted to a new diet, time related alterations in digestibility, faecal waste production and faeces recovery in Nile tilapia were assessed in relation with dietary ingredient composition. Four experimental diets were formulated according to a 2 by 2 factorial design: two starch inclusion levels (20 or 40%) and two maize starch types (native versus gelatinized). After introduction to the experimental diets, faeces were collected weekly from Week 2 till 6 using settling tanks. Digestibility of ash, organic matter and dry matter increased with time (P < 0.001). For organic and dry matter the time related alteration in digestibility were different between both starch types (P < 0.05). All faecal waste characteristics altered with time (P < 0.01). The incline in faeces recovery with time was affected by starch type (P < 0.01); being the largest at the 40% gelatinized maize diet. In conclusion, the minimal length of the adaptation period in digestibility studies for obtaining unbiased digestibility estimates is dependent on diet composition, in this study with Nile tilapia 4 weeks for diets with gelatinized starch and 6 weeks with native starch.     

Feeding fermented soybean meal diet supplemented with taurine to yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata affects growth performance and lipid digestion

Feeding experiment was conducted to determine whether fermentation and taurine supplementation of soybean meal (SBM) fed to yellowtail improve growth performance and lipid digestion. Six diets were formulated and designated as SBM, SBM supplemented with taurine (SBM + T), SBM fermented by Bacillus spp. (FSBM1), SBM fermented by Lactobacillus spp. (FSBM2), FSBM2 supplemented with taurine (FSBM2 + T), and fish meal (FM). Yellowtail fingerlings with an initial body weight of 42 g were stocked in 200‐L tanks. The fish were fed, each diet was fed twice daily in two separate tanks for 8 weeks. Results showed that lipid digestibility of the SBM diet was significantly lower than that of the FM diet, but SBM diet lipid digestibility was improved by taurine supplementation and fermentation. Lipase activity in anterior intestinal digesta, lipid contents in liver and muscle, and bile acid concentrations in gallbladder and anterior intestinal digesta were significantly lower in fish fed SBM diet than in fish fed FM diet; these parameters were not significantly different between fish fed SBM + T, FSBM2, FSBM2 + T diets and FM diet. Although taurine supplementation or fermentation improved lipid digestibility compared with FM diet, growth parameters were only improved in the fish fed FSBM2 + T diet, indicating that apart from a lack of taurine, SBM contains other factors responsible for inferior growth of yellowtail. These factors can be partially eliminated by Lactobacillus spp. fermentation.     

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.     

Effect of replacing soybean meal with canola meal on growth,feed utilization and haematological indices of juvenile hybrid tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus×Oreochromis aureus

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with canola meal (CM) on growth, feed utilization, body composition and haematological indices of juvenile hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus×Oreochromis aureus). Six isonitrogenous diets containing graded levels of CM (0, 95, 190, 285, 380 and 634 g kg^?1 of diet corresponding to 0%, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60% and 100%, respectively, of protein from SBM) to replace SBM on an equal protein basis were fed to triplicate groups of juvenile fish (initial weight=6.3 g). The results indicated that up to 30% of SBM could be replaced by CM without causing a significant reduction in growth performance. Fish fed with diets in which CM replaced over 45% of SBM had a significantly lower protein efficiency ratio and a significantly higher feed conversion ratio than fish fed with other diets. The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter, protein and phosphorus were lowest for fish fed the CM100 diet. Significant differences in haemoglobin, haematocrit and white blood cell concentration were found in fish fed diets with different CM levels. It is concluded that up to 19.02% CM can be used to replace 30% of SBM in diets for juvenile hybrid tilapia without compromising growth, feed conversion and protein utilization.     

The effect of plant‐based diet and suboptimal environmental conditions on digestive function and diet‐induced enteropathy in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

This experiment investigated intestinal enteropathy and digestive function of rainbow trout challenged with soybean meal‐based diet (SBM) at optimal or suboptimal environments created by normal or reduced water flow, respectively. Oxygen level remained above 7 mg L^‐1 for optimal environment and between 4 and 5 mg L^‐1 for suboptimal environment. Triplicate groups of fish (mean body weight 74 g) were fed fishmeal‐based diet (FM) or SBM at optimal environment in period 1 (28 days). In period 2 (42 days), fish were subjected to a change from FM to SBM or remained on the same diet as used in period 1. The fish were also exposed to change from optimal to suboptimal environment or remained under optimal conditions. The fish subjected to change from FM to SBM, regardless of their environment, showed similar degree of enteropathy from day 14. Lipid and starch digestibility was lower in SBM‐fed fish at suboptimal environment compared to fish fed the same diet at optimal environment. Crude protein digestibility, however, was highest in SBM‐fed fish at suboptimal environment throughout period 2. In conclusion, in SBM‐fed rainbow trout, exposure to suboptimal environment did not change the degree of enteropathy; however, lipid and starch digestibility were further reduced.     

Digesta viscosity, nutrient digestibility and organ weights in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fed diets supplemented with different levels of a soluble non-starch polysaccharide

The objective of the present study was to investigate if dietary soluble non‐starch polysaccharides (NSP) increase digesta viscosity, reduce nutrient digestibility and increase organ weights in African catfish. The fish (mean weight 80 g) were fed diets supplemented with the soluble NSP guar gum at three levels, 0 g kg^?1 (GG0), 40 g kg^?1 (GG4) and 80 g kg^?1 (GG8). Guar gum inclusion significantly increased digesta viscosity in the proximal (GG0: 1.7 centipoise or cP; GG4: 84.9 cP; GG8: 98.3 cP) and distal (GG0: 1.9 cP; GG4: 109.8 cP; GG8: 66.4 cP) intestine. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) were significantly lower for the GG8 diet than the GG0 diet (dry matter: 52% versus 69%; protein: 77% versus 90%; ash: 41% versus 54%; energy: 60% versus 77%). The ADC of dry matter and energy were significantly lower for the GG4 diet than the GG0 diet. The relative growth rate of metabolic weight (14.5–15.4 g kg^?0.8 day^?1) and feed conversion ratio (0.8) did not differ between diets. Fish fed the GG8 diet had a significantly higher somatic stomach index than GG0 fish (0.71% versus 0.65% body weight). The intestinal somatic index tended to increase with increasing guar gum supplementation (GG0: 1.08%; GG4: 1.23%; GG8: 1.59%). In conclusion, high digesta viscosities in the guar gum fed fish may explain the observed reduced nutrient digestibilities and increases in digestive organ weights.