Effect of Chitosan-Gelatin Composite and Bi-Layer Coating Combined with Pomegranate Peel Extract on Quality Properties of Belanger’s Croaker (Johnius Belangerii) Stored in Refrigerator

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chitosan-gelatin coating with two different methods (composite and bi-layer) in combination with pomegranate peel extract (PPE) on the microbiological (mesophilic bacteria, psychrotrophic bacteria, and Enterobacteriaceae) and chemical (total volatile bases-nitrogen (TVB-N), pH, thiobarbituric acid (TBA), and free fatty acid (FFA)) properties of Belanger’s croaker (Johnius belangerii) fillets during refrigerated storage (4 ± 1°C). In this study, composite coating (CC), bilayer coating (BC), CC+PPE, and BC+PPE led to 6.88, 7.00, 6.52, and 6.32 log₁₀ CFU/g reduction in mesophilic bacteria, 6.67, 7.02, 5.35, and 4.21 log₁₀ CFU/g in PTC and 2.99, 2.71, 2.37, and 2.41 log₁₀ CFU/g, compared with control sample for 16 days storage time, respectively. Chitosan-gelatin coating enriched with PPE has retarding effects on spoilage of fish samples, thus extending the shelf life during refrigerated storage. The quality characteristics of croaker treated with chitosan-gelatin coating combined with PPE were better than those treated by chitosan-gelatin coating or PPE alone during the storage, exhibiting that there is a synergistic effect between chitosan-gelatin coating and PPE. The bi-layer coating was better than one composite coating in combination with PPE in reducing lipid oxidation of fillets.     

Improving the Quality of Silver Carp Fish Fillets by Gamma Irradiation and Coatings Containing Rosemary Oil

The objective of this work was to study the combined effect of gamma irradiation and coatings containing 0.5% rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) essential oil (RO) on the chemical, microbiological, and sensorial qualities of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) fish fillets (SFF) during cold storage (4°C). SFF were divided into three groups: uncoated (control), coated with edible coating (without additives), and γ-irradiated (0, 1, 3, and 5 kGy) coated with coating containing 0.5% rosemary. Gamma irradiation at 1, 3, and 5 kGy with coating reduced the initial total bacterial count, psychrophilic bacteria, and lactic acid bacteria and prolonged shelf life of the samples. Coated samples irradiated at 1 kGy reduced the counts of Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus, as well as eliminating Vibrio spp. and Salmonella spp., while coated samples irradiated at 3 and 5 kGy completely eliminated these bacteria. Combined treatment showed a slight increase in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances postirradiation during cold storage but had no effect on the total volatile basic nitrogen and trimethylamine contents, while a gradual increase in these chemical quality indices was observed during cold storage. Combined treatment had no adverse effects on the sensory properties of SFF. The increase in the bacterial inhibitory effect is caused by both rosemary oil and irradiation.     

Nutrient composition and sensory evaluation of fillets from wild-type Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus) and a red hybrid (Florida red tilapia × red O. niloticus)

A comparison of composition and sensory evaluation were performed on fillets of Oreochromis niloticus (wild type) and red hybrid tilapia (RHT) (Florida red tilapia ♂× red O. niloticus♀). Fifty male tilapia, 25 O. niloticus (initial weight 159.3 g) and 25 red hybrid (initial weight 132.4 g), were placed in each of three 2.0 m³ volume tanks. The fish were fed a commercial feed containing 35.9% crude protein during the 120‐day experimental period and then killed in cold water (3°C). All the fish were filleted. Twelve fillets from each treatment were used for proximate analyses, five fillets from each treatment were used for fatty acids analyses and the remaining fillets were used for sensory evaluation. The compositional analyses showed similar moisture, true protein and ash content in both genetic groups, but a lower crude fat content was measured in the red hybrid fillets (0.70%) compared with that of O. niloticus fillets (0.97%). No differences between O. niloticus and the red hybrid were observed in their fillet profile of fatty acids. In the sensory evaluation test, a difference in fillet flavour between both genetic groups was perceived. Of the 112 consumers in the preference test, 81.2% perceived a difference in fillet flavour between the two tilapias, with a general preference for the red hybrid over the wild‐type O. niloticus. The benefits of cultivating a RHT with a low lipid content are discussed.     

竹叶抗氧化物浸泡结合乳清分离蛋白涂膜对冷藏富硒虹鳟食用品质的影响

为延长冷藏富硒虹鳟的货架期,实验以3种浓度的竹叶抗氧化物溶液(AOBS,质量浓度分别为0.5%、1.0%和1.5%)分别浸泡富硒虹鳟鱼块,再进行乳清分离蛋白溶液(WPIS)涂膜,(25±1)°C下鼓风吹干表面水后置于4°C冰箱贮藏1、4、7、10和13 d,测定鱼块的pH值、TVB-N值、K值、菌落总数和嗜冷菌数、结合水分含量和水分状态,分析涂膜对冷藏富硒虹鳟鱼块品质的影响。结果显示,随着冷藏时间的延长,鱼块的pH值、TVB-N值、K值、菌落总数和嗜冷菌数显著增加,水分含量显著降低,结合水和不易流动水向自由水迁移。其中,1.0%AOBS+WPIS组的pH值、TVB-N值、K值、菌落总数和嗜冷菌数的增加速率和水分含量的减少速率最慢,结合水与不易流动水的比例最高。1.0%竹叶抗氧化物浸泡结合乳清分离蛋白涂膜,提升了乳清分离蛋白涂膜的保鲜效果,可有效抑制富硒虹鳟冷藏过程中品质的劣变,延长货架期。根据TVB-N值、K值和菌落总数,1.0%AOBS+WPIS组可延长富硒虹鳟货架期3 d。本研究可以为富硒虹鳟的低温贮藏技术提供科学指导。     

The Effects of Sodium Alginate on Quality of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Fillets Stored at 4 ± 2°C

Edible coating is a novel food packaging technology for controlling the growth of spoilage bacteria and chemical changes in ready-to-eat food products. Fresh fish are highly perishable foodstuffs and are very susceptible to spoilage. A sodium alginate coating was used to maintain the quality of rainbow trout fillets in chilled storage over a period of 20 days. Fillet samples were coated with an aqueous solution of 3% sodium alginate and then stored at chilled temperature (4 ± 2°C). The control and coated samples were analyzed periodically (every 5 days) for microbial (aerobic plate count and psychrotrophic count), chemical (total volatile basic nitrogen, thiobarbituric acid, peroxide value), and sensory characteristics. The results indicated that the sodium alginate coating helped protect the quality characteristics of treated fresh fish fillets and prolonged the shelf life during chilled storage of rainbow trout fillets.     

Quality and Shelf Life Assessment of Puffer Fish (Lagocephalus guentheri) Fillets during Chilled Storage

The aim of the study was to quantify the shelf life and quality characteristics of puffer fish, Lagocephalus guentheri, fillets on chilled storage at 2 ± 1°C. The puffer fish muscle contains 16.14% protein, 80.76% moisture, 0.99% ash, and 0.17% fat. The mouse bioassay proved the absence of tetradotoxin in muscle, liver, skin, and gonads of the fish. The polyunsaturated fatty acid to saturated fatty acid (P/S) ratio of puffer fish was found to be 1.3, with n-3 to n-6 ratio of 3.27. The puffer fish had hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio (H/H) value of 2.68, artherogenicity index of 0.43, and thrombogenicity index of 0.29. Beheaded and deskinned fishes were filleted and were studied for 10 days of chilled storage. The physical, chemical, sensory, and microbiological parameters showed significant (p < 0.05) changes during the entire storage period. While the hydrolytic rancidity was significantly correlated to springiness, gumminess, and chewiness of fillets, the peroxide value (PV) correlated with the color attributes and pH. The hardness of the samples decreased significantly and was evident in both sensory and instrumental analysis. With storage time, the yellowness of the fillets increased steadily. The results of this study can help in improving processing, preservation, and marketing aspects and enhance the utility of puffer fish.     

Chilled Storage of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus Fillets Coated with Plant Oil Incorporated Alginate Gels: Effect of Clove Leaf,Clove Bud,Rosemary and Thyme Oils

Essential oil incorporated alginate coating provides a novel way to improve the safety and shelf life of pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) fillet. Oils from the leaves and buds of clove, flowering tops of rosemary, and dried seeds of thyme were incorporated separately in alginate coating. All the plant oils showed antibacterial activity, but the zone of inhibition was relatively larger for thyme oil. Alginate coating was performed using sodium alginate (1.5%), glycerol (10%), and calcium chloride (2%) and plant oil at 1% (v/v). The coated fillets were stored under chilled conditions and samples were analyzed for bacteriological, chemical, sensory, color, and texture parameters. Psychrotrophic counts crossed 7 log cfu/g by the 13^th day and 15^th day of chilled storage in control and plant oil treated fillets, respectively. The peroxide value of treated fillets was relatively low. Texture profile analysis indicated that plant oil incorporated alginate coating reduced the rate of loss of texture (softening) during chilled storage. Plant essential oil incorporated alginate gels were relatively better compared to control fillets in preserving pangasius fillet quality during chilled storage, and incorporation of thyme oil was relatively better compared to clove leaf oil, clove bud oil, and rosemary oils.     

Control of Listeria Monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157:H7 Inoculated on Fish Fillets Using Alginate Coating Containing Lactoperoxidase System and Zataria multiflora Boiss Essential Oil

The present study was conducted to investigate the inhibitory effect of alginate coating incorporated with Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil (ZEO) and lactoperoxidase system (LPOS), individually and in combination, in order to control inoculated Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O₁₅₇:H₇ in rainbow trout fillets during 16days of storage at 4°C. The antibacterial activity of ZEO was evaluated against Listeria monocytogenes and E. coli O₁₅₇:H₇ through determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC). In vivo study was performed by inoculating four strains of L. monocytogenes as culture cocktail and one strain of E. coli O₁₅₇:H₇ on trout fillets for their survival evaluation during the 16-day storage. Results indicated that ZEO and LPOS, when used in combination in alginate solution, had a stronger effect on the control of mentioned bacteria in trout fillets; however, their individual use could significantly inhibit their growth, when compared to the control. Moreover, it has been implicated that alginate coating, when used with no antimicrobial agent, had a supportive effect on the growth of these pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, the application of alginate coating containing ZEO and LPOS is recommended in foods, especially fish and fish products.     

Chemometrics Approaches to Monitoring of Biogenic Amines Changes in Three Fish Species

The biogenic amine contents in fillets of three freshwater fish of kutum (Rutilus frisii), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), and Caspian salmon (Salmon caspius) were monitored during storage at 4°C for 20 days. The amounts of biogenic amines were determined at regular intervals using high performance liquid chromatography after derivatization with benzoyl chloride. Significant differences in the levels of selected biogenic amines among the fish samples were found (p < 0.05) during storage times. While the amount of putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, and tyramine in the fish fillets increased during the storage time, the changes in spermine and spermidine contents of the fish species were minor and both showed low and inverse correlations with storage time. For each of the three fish species, the sensory acceptability limit was found to be 4–8 days. The quality and biogenic amine indices of fish samples showed high correlation with storage time (r > 0.9). The principal component analysis of the results indicated that the formation of biogenic amines displays a certain behavioral pattern in all fish samples.     

Sensory Quality and Shelf Life of MAP Redfish (Sebastes marinus) Fillets as Affected by Previous MA Bulk Storage of Whole Fish

Abstract

The shelf life of iced redfish is known to be 16–19 days. This study evaluated the effects of modified atmosphere (CO₂/N₂: 60/40) in bulk storage of redfish and subsequent modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) of fillets. Fish were evaluated by sensory, microbiological and chemical methods. Modified atmosphere (MA) bulk storage of whole fish for more than 5 to 10 days did not improve their sensory quality or significantly increase shelf life. In fact, the study showed negative effects in texture and overall appearance. MAP of fillets processed from 10-day MA bulk stored fish showed a modest increase in shelf life, but negatively affected their texture. Sensory qualities, i.e., tenderness, that decreased under MA bulk storage were improved upon aerobic storage for fish stored under MA for 5 to 10 days, but not 14 days. Lower microbial levels were found in MA bulk stored fish and MAP fillets compared to traditionally iced fish, while higher TMA levels were found in MAP fillets.     

Effect of Fish Gelatin Coating Enriched with Oregano Essential Oil on the Quality of Refrigerated Rainbow Trout Fillet

ABSTRACT

In the present study, the effect of fish gelatin coating (FG; 4%, w/v) containing oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) essential oil (OEO; 1.2% w/v) on shelf-life extension of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillet stored under refrigerated storage (4 ± 1ºC) was investigated. The control and the treated fish samples were analyzed periodically for chemical (pH; total volatile basic nitrogen, TVB-N; peroxide value, PV; thiobarbituric acid, TBA) and microbiological (total viable count, TVC; psychrotrophic count) characteristics. The FG + OEO treatment produced significantly lower (p < 0.05) TVB-N values as compared to control and FG-coated samples after Day 6 and until the end of the storage period. The TBA values remained low and were found to fluctuate during storage. Results showed that TVC exceeded 6 log CFU g^?1 on Day 8 of storage for control and FG-coated samples and Day 12 for samples coated with FG + OEO. The reduction of 1.05 and 0.83 log CFU g^?1 of psychrotrophic counts was achieved by FG + OEO coating in trout fillet (p < 0.05) as compared with control and FG-coated samples, respectively. Therefore, the incorporation of OEO into FG coating may be a promising method of maintaining the storage quality of the rainbow trout fillet stored at refrigerated temperature.     

The Effects of Chitosan Coating on Biogenic Amines Inhibition and Microbial Succession of Refrigerated Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) Fillets

Chitosan coating and plastic wrap coating were investigated for their effects on the quality of grass carp fillets stored at 4 ± 1ºC for a period of 20 days. The fillets were divided into groups of untreated (Control), wrapped with sterile preservative film (PE), and chitosan-treated (1, 2, and 2.5% w/v corresponding to CH1, CH2, and CH2.5, respectively). The final result demonstrated that chitosan coating has positive effects on the microbial inhibition of total volatile count (TVC), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas, H₂S-producing bacteria (including Shewanella putrefaciens), and Staphylococcus. With regard to the results of biogenic amines (BAs), putrescine (PUT) and histamine (HIS) were the major amines, and their concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in Control and PE than in chitosan-coated fillets at the end of storage. The final concentration in Control, PE, CH1, CH2, and CH2.5 was 143.7, 160.1, 83.0, 59.4, and 44.2 mg/kg for PUT and 228.0, 57.1, 4.1 3.2, and 2.9 for HIS, respectively. Chitosan coating was found to inhibit the increase of total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N), microbial population, and total BAs and prolong the shelf life of grass carp fillets. However, sterile plastic wrap coating had little positive effect on maintaining the quality of grass carp fillets during refrigerated storage.     

Use of Standard or Modified Plant-Derived Lipids as Alternatives to Fish Oil in Feeds for Juvenile Nile Tilapia

In support of developing sustainable aquafeeds, production performance and fillet fatty acid profile were assessed in juvenile Nile tilapia (0.61 ± 0.0 g/fish mean ± SE) raised for 16 weeks on diets containing fish oil or 50:50 blends of fish and plant-derived lipids. Standard, low 18:3n-3, or saturated fatty acid (SFA)-enriched soybean oils, palm oil, or low 18:3n-3 canola oil may be used to partially spare fish oil in feeds for Nile tilapia without impairing production performance, though use of hydrogenated soybean oil appears to impair growth and conversion efficiency. Of the plant lipids evaluated, palm and SFA-enriched soybean oil appear to be the best alternatives in terms of maintaining fillet long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid content and the nutritional value of tilapia fillets.     

Combined effects of fertilization rate, manuring and feed pellet application on fish performance and water quality in polyculture ponds

This study analyses the combined effects of organic and inorganic fertilization and of feeding with pellets on fish performance and water quality in a polyculture of common carp. Cyprinus Carpio L., silver carp. Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Val.), grass carp. Ctenopharyngodon idella (Val.) and hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L. x O. aureus Stetndachner. Experiments included six treatments, which are combinations of inorganic fertilisation (daily or fortnightly), manuring (supplied or not), feed pellets (supplied or not) and density of phytoplanktivorous fish species (high-density treatments with 50% more hybrid tilapia and 300% more silver carp than low-density treatments). The effects of the management procedures on fish weight, growth, survival and yield. plankton abundance, water quality, and their complex interactions at the different levels of the natural food web were analysed. The hypothesis that daily fertilization should increase algal production, which in turn should sustain a higher density of phytoplanktivorous fish, proved to be correct within certain limits. Algal reproduction rate was higher under daily fertilization, pointing to better supply of food for herbivorous fish, while algal biomass was similar under both fertilization regimes, pointing to the utilization of that algal food supply. The increased algal food supply sustained a 50% density increase of the omnivorous tilapia, but not the 300% density increase of the grazer silver carp.     

Growth and Body Composition of Nile Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus,Fry Fed Organic Diets Containing Yeast Extract and Soybean Meal as Replacements for Fish Meal,with and without Supplemental Lysine and Methionine

Quantities of fish meal (FM) have remained level for the past several decades; however, demand has dramatically increased because of its inclusion in all animal production as a high‐quality protein source. Soybean meal (SBM) is the most widely used plant‐protein ingredient for replacing various proportions of FM in aquatic animal diets. However, use of SBM as the sole protein source has often resulted in reduced fish growth. There is a growing segment of consumers who desire organically grown seafood, and tilapia is one of the most‐cultured fish in the world. As tilapia have herbivorous/omnivorous feeding habits, tilapia fed organic diets may allow producers to enter this rapidly developing market. A feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the combination of organic SBM and an organic yeast extract (YE) as complete replacements for FM in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, fry diets. Nine diets were formulated to contain various percentages of organic YE (0, 15, 30, and 45%) in combination with organic SBM (84–34%) with and without amino acid (methionine and lysine) supplementation. At the conclusion of the study, fry fed a control diet containing 20% FM and fry fed a diet containing 45% YE/36%SBM with amino acid supplementation showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) in final weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate (SGR) compared to those fed all other diets. On the basis of these data, an organic diet which replaces FM with a combination of SBM and YE with added methionine and lysine is commercially feasible and further investigation into the increased use of these two ingredients as protein sources in aquaculture diets is warranted.     

Alginate coarse/nanoemulsions containing Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil as edible coatings and the impact on microbial quality of trout fillet

In this study, the effect of edible coarse/nanoemulsions of alginate as coating containing Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil (ZEO) on the microbial quality of fish fillets was investigated at three concentrations (i.e. 0.25%, 0.5% and 1% [w/v]) in 16 days of storage at 4°C. Moreover, a comparison was made between the fabricated coarse emulsion and nanoemulsion coatings by particle size and polydispersity index analyses. Sample analysis was performed with regard to total viable count (TVC), total psychrophilic count (TPC), hydrogen sulphide‐producing bacteria count (HSC) and Enterobacteriaceae count (ENC) on days 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16. According to the findings, all the samples showed increased microbial counts during the storage periods. The highest reduction rates of TVC (about 2 log CFU/g), TPC (about 1 log CFU/g), HSC (about 1.5 log CFU/g) and ENC (about 3 log CFU/g) were observed in the nanoemulsion of alginate containing 1% w/v ZEO (NE 1%) samples, compared with alginate and control samples. The microbial growth was significantly inhibited in all treatments, compared with that in the control (p < .05). Accordingly, it can be concluded that nanoemulsion coating was more effective than coarse emulsion to prolong the durability of fish fillets and revealed a faster and greater inhibition of microbial flora, compared with coarse emulsions during the storage time.     

Comparative Evaluation of Natural Antioxidant Coating and Vacuum-Packaging Technique on Quality Characteristics of Chill Stored Giant Trevally Fillets

ABSTRACT

The effect of coating with natural antioxidants like sage and oregano essential oils (EO), and tocopherol on spoilage characteristics of giant trevally fillets was evaluated during chilled storage. Further, results were compared against vacuum and conventional polyethylene packaging practices. Prior to coating, the properties of antioxidants were evaluated in vitro using standard activity assays. Coating with EO was found effective in retarding lipid oxidation in fish fillets; while tocopherol accelerated the spoilage process. It was concluded that EO treatment can slow down the process of spoilage in fish fillets and can be considered as an alternative to expensive vacuum-packaging technique.     

Change in flesh quality associated with early maturation of Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus)

To determine the effect of maturation on flesh quality, 20 Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) consisting of mature and immature fish of both sexes were killed on site, exsanguinated and stored on ice. After 6 days of storage, the fish was gutted and filleted before colour, texture hardness and shear force were evaluated to determine the effect of maturation. Results show that mature males excreted black mucus from the skin during ice storage, while a greyish mucus was observed from immature fish. Mature fish had approximately 2% lower slaughter yield and 6% lower fillet yield compared with immature fish. The fillets from mature males were significantly harder compared with fillets from immature fish and the muscle structure proved to be stronger as an increased fracturability was observed in mature fish. In colour, fillets from mature fish proved to have a whiter appearance (L^*) than immature fish, while no difference was seen in a^* and b^* values. We conclude that the physiological changes associated with maturation affects the end quality, and may be related to slower growth.     

A Novel Zero Discharge Intensive Seawater Recirculating System for the Culture of Marine Fish

Results are presented of a zero‐discharge marine recirculating system used for the culture of gilthead seabream Sparus aurata. Operation of the system without any discharge of water and sludge was enabled by recirculation of effluent water through two separate treatment loops, an aerobic trickling filter and a predominantly anoxic sedimentation basin, followed by a fluidized bed reactor. The fish basin was stocked for the first 6 mo with red tilapia Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus at an initial density of 16 kg/m³. During this period salinity was raised from 0 to 20 parts per thousand. Then, gilthead seabream, stocked at an initial density of 21 kg/m³, replaced tilapia at day 167 and were cultured for an additional 225 d. Non steady‐state inorganic nitrogen transformations occurred as a result of these salinity changes. After day 210, the system operated at all times with those water quality parameters considered critical for successful operation of mariculture systems, within acceptable limits. Thus ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate concentrations did not exceed 1.0‐mg total ammonia‐N/ L, 0.5‐mg NO₂:‐N/L and 50‐mg NO₃‐N/L, respectively. Sulfide levels in the fish basin were below detection limits and oxygen > 6 mg/L after the oxygen generator was added at day 315. Ammonia, produced in the fish basin and to a lesser extent in the sedimentation basin, was converted to nitrate in the aerobic trickling filter. Nitrate removal took place in the sedimentation basin and to a lesser extent in the fluidized bed reactor. Sludge, remaining in the sedimentation basin at the end of the experimental period, accounted for 9.2% of the total feed dry matter addition to the system. The system was disease‐free for the entire year and fish at harvest were of good quality. Water consumption for production of 1 kg of tilapia was 93 L and 214 L for production of 1 kg of gilthead seabream. Additional growth performance data of gilthead seabream cultured in a similar but larger system are presented. During 164 d of operation of the latter system, maximum stocking densities reached 50 kgl M³ and fish biomass production was 27.7 kg/m³. Relatively poor fish survival and growth resulted from occasional technical failures of this pilot system.     

Evaluation of Gambusia, Gambusia affinis, Fish Meal in Practical Diets for Fry Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

This study was conducted to evaluate the use of gambusia, Gambusia affinis, fish meal (GFM) in practical diets for fry Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (2.11 ± 0.11 g). Six isonitrogenous diets (35%) were formulated in which GFM replaced 0.0, 10, 25, 50, 75, or 100% of the protein supplied by herring fish meal (HFM). Fish were fed one of the test diets at a feeding rate of 4% of the fish body weight 6 d a week, 2 times a day for 13 wk. Results demonstrated that fish growth increased with increasing GFM up to 75%, which produced the highest growth of the treatments. The lowest fish growth was obtained at 100% GFM. Feed intake (FI), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and apparent protein utilization (APU) increased significantly, while feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased significantly with increasing GFM up to 75%. FI, PER, and APU decreased significantly, while FCR increased significantly for diets containing 100% GFM. There were no significant differences in moisture, protein, lipid, or ash contents in final fish body following inclusion of GFM in fish diet. There was no significant difference in the digestibility coefficient of dry matter. The digestibility coefficients of protein and gross energy for diets containing 100% GFM replacement were the lowest as compared with other GFM levels. The present study recommended that GFM is a suitable protein source in practical diets for fry Nile tilapia and could replace HFM up to 75%.