Availability of genetically modified soybean meal in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss diets

The use of genetically modified defatted soybean meal (GM SBM) as rainbow trout feed was investigated, in comparison with non-GM SBM. Both SBMs were included at levels of approximately 15 and 30% in four diets (42% protein). The diets were fed to juvenile fish (48.3 g average weight) for 12 weeks. The nutrient use showed that there was no significant difference in growth and feed performance between GM and non-GM SBM groups at both inclusion levels at the end of 12th week. The cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter fragment (220 bp) of the GM SBM was detected in the muscle of fish receiving both levels of GM SBM diet by nested PCR, but the frequency of detection was greater at the higher inclusion level. Additionally, the promoter fragment was not detected by the fifth day after changing the diet to non-GM. Conversely, the promoter fragment was not detected from fish fed with the non-GM SBM diet. The results demonstrated that the availability of protein in GM SBM was similar to that of non-GM SBM, and the promoter fragments found in the muscle of fish were not detectable after changing the diet to non-GM, verifying the availability of the GM SBM in rainbow trout feed.     

Suitability of genetically modified soybean meal in a dietary ingredient for common carp Cyprinus carpio

The effect of genetically modified (GM) soybean meal (SBM) in a feed ingredient on growth performance of common carp was investigated in comparison to nonGM SBM. GM SBM was included at 34 and 48% in two experimental diets that were formulated with fish meal (FM) to obtain approximately 38% protein in diet. Two other experimental diets were formulated to contain the same levels of nonGM SBM. The diets were fed to juvenile common carp (22 g initial mean weight) for 12 weeks. The cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter fragment (205 base pairs) of the GM SBM was examined in fish muscle and blood samples at the twelfth week. From the twelfth week, the GM groups were fed with nonGM diets to determine the residual span of the transferred promoter fragment. There was no significant difference in growth and feed performance between GM and nonGM groups at two inclusion levels after 12 weeks. The CaMV 35S promoter fragment was not detected in fish muscles or blood receiving either level of GM SBM diet. The results demonstrated that the availability of GM SBM was similar to that of nonGM SBM and the GM SBM would be a suitable and safe ingredient in feed for common carp.     

Availability of genetically modified feed ingredient: investigations of ingested foreign DNA in rainbow trout <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>

ABSTRACT:   Foreign DNA fragments from genetically modified defatted soybean meal (GM SBM) in rainbow trout was traced by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and located by in situ hybridization. Either a GM or non-GM SBM formulated diet (42% protein) was fed to fish (average weight 50.5 g) for 2 weeks. The degradation results showed that the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter (220 bp) fragment was detected in the contents of digestive system only in fish fed the GM SBM diet, and it was not detected on the third day after changing the diet to the non-GM SBM diet. For the possible transferal results, the promoter fragment was detected in the leukocyte, head kidney and muscle only of fish fed the GM SBM diet; it was not detected on the fifth day after changing the diet to the non-GM SBM diet. These results suggest that a foreign DNA fragment was not completely degraded and might be taken up into organs through the gastrointestinal tract. However, foreign DNA was not detected after the withdrawal period. Thus, the data show that uptake of DNA from GM SBM might not remain in the tissues of fish fed GM SBM diet.     

Growth performance and feed utilization of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) and tilapia galilae Sarotherodon galilaeus (Linnaeus, 1758) fingerlings fed plant protein-based diets

This study was designed to determine the effect of complete substitution of fish meal (FM) by three plant protein sources including extruded soybean meal (SBM), extruded full‐fat soybean (FFSB) and corn gluten meal (CGM) on growth and feed utilization of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and tilapia galilae Sarothrodon galilaeus. Four isonitrogenous of crude protein (ca. 28.0%) and isocaloric (ca. 19 MJ kg⁻¹) experimental diets were formulated. The control diet (diet 1) was prepared with FM as the main protein sources. Diets 2–4, each FM control diet, were completely substituted with SBM (diet 2), FFSB (diet 3) and CGM (diet 4). l ‐lysine and dl ‐methionine were added to plant protein diets to cover the nutritional requirements of tilapia. Each treatment was allocated to three net pens and fed for 17 weeks. Nile tilapia fed the control diet showed significantly higher (P≤0.05) values for final body weight (FBW), feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR), whereas fish fed the diet with CGM achieved the lowest values. Tilapia galilae fed SBM diet recorded the highest (P≤0.05) values for growth performance. Better feed conversion ratio (FCR) for both Oreochromis niloticus and Sarothrodon galilaeus was observed when fish were fed SBM diet, whereas the worse FCR was recorded for FFSB diet. Feed utilization parameters including protein productive value (PPV), fat retention (FR) and energy retention (ER) showed significant differences (P≤0.05) for both the species fed different dietary protein sources. The present results suggest that, for Nile tilapia, both SBM and FFSB supplemented with dl ‐methionine and l ‐lysine can completely replace dietary FM. Meanwhile, S. galilaeus fed SBM diet exhibited comparable growth and feed utilization with those fish fed a fish‐meal‐based diet.     

Effects of partial and complete replacement of soybean meal with cottonseed meal on growth,feed utilization and haematological indexes for mono‐sex male Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus (L.) fingerlings

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with cottonseed meal (CSM) on the growth performance, feed utilization and haematological parameters of mono‐sex male Nile tilapia fingerlings. Five isonitrogenous diets (containing 31.82% crude protein) containing graded levels of CSM to replace SBM protein were fed to triplicate groups of fish. The diets were supplemented with lysine so that they were similar to the control diet. After a 14‐week feeding experiment, the results revealed that up to 75% of SBM could be replaced by CSM without causing a significant reduction in growth. Fish fed the diet highest in CSM had a significantly lower protein efficiency ratio and a significantly higher feed conversion ratio than fish fed the other diets. High survival was observed in all the dietary treatments, and no significant difference was observed among treatments. The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter and phosphorus decreased significantly with an increase in the dietary CSM level, whereas the ADC of lipid was not affected by the dietary treatment. The hepatosomatic index and the condition factor were significantly affected by the replacement of SBM by CSM. No significant differences were detected in the moisture, lipid and ash content in whole body and muscle samples, but protein in whole‐body samples was significantly affected by the CSM levels. Significant differences were found in the haemoglobin, haematocrit, red blood cell and white blood cell contents in fish fed diets with different CSM levels. Therefore, these findings suggest that up to 41.25% CSM can be used to replace 75% of SBM protein in diets for mono‐sex male Nile tilapia fingerlings without any adverse effects on the growth performance, feed utilization, body composition and haematological indexes.     

The Effect of Different Levels of Krill Meal Supplementation of Soybean-based Diets on Feed Intake, Digestibility, and Chemical Composition of Juvenile Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus, L

Abstract— The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of different levels of krill meal (KM) as a feed attractant in juvenile Nile tilapia fed soybean (SBM) diets on growth performance, feed utilization, and body composition. Fish of an initial average weight 0.8 × 0.01g were stocked in 18 glass aquaria (80 L each) at a rate of 25 fish per aquarium. Fish meal (FM 20% of the diet) was used as the sole source of animal protein in the control (Diet 1). Diets 2 to 6 had (SBM) protein with various levels of krill meal (0.0,1.5,3.0,4.5, and 6.0%, diets 2-6 respectively). Test diets were fed to satiation to triplicate groups of Nile tilapia four times daily for 20 wk. Fish fed krill meal supplemented diets had significantly ( P < 0.05) better growth performance compared with fish fed the unsupplemented and FM control diets. The krill meal increased growth of Nile tilapia by 31.9% compared to control diets (average Anal wet weight, 14.15 × 0.95 g and 10.72 × 0.2 g, respectively). Moreover, weight gains were not significantly different for fish fed diets with different levels of krill meal. Feed utilization parameters such as feed intake, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio differed significantly for fish fed krill meal diets compared with control. Digestibility of nutrient and energy of diets increased with increasing levels of krii meal. The incorporation of krill meal in diets significantly affected the protein, fat, ash, and energy of whole body composition. These results suggest that supplementation of krill meal at 1.5% in the diets of Nile tilapia as attractant or stimulant may lead to increased feed intake, growth performance, and feed utilization. Soybean meal can completely replace fishmeal in diets for juvenile tilapia.     

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.     

Interactive effects of salinity and complete fishmeal replacement on growth,food consumption,and gene expression of hepatic IGF‐I,IGF‐II and growth hormone receptors in Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted using Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.) to evaluate the interactive effects of fishmeal replacement and salinity on growth, feed utilization efficiencies and relative expression of growth related genes. Two iso‐nitrogenous and iso‐energetic diets were prepared (32% protein). The control diet included 15% fishmeal (FM diet) and fishmeal component in non‐fishmeal diet (NFM) was eliminated by a mixture of poultry by‐product meal, high protein distillers dried grains and distillers dried grains with soluble. The NFM diet was supplemented with DL‐methionine and L‐lysine. Duplicated group of fish with initial mean weight of 6 g, reared in four salinity levels (0, 4, 8 and 12 g/L) were fed one of the two diets twice a day to near satiety. At the end of the experiment, growth, feed utilization efficiency and expression of growth related genes were compared. The specific growth rate (SGR), mean feed intake (MFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not affected by the diets while salinity effects were significant. The fish in the 4 g/L salinity showed the highest SGR and MFI while fish in the 0 g/L treatment showed the lowest FCR. Relative expression of hepatic IGF‐I and IGF‐II was regulated by salinity but not by the diet. Expression of growth hormone receptor gene was not affected by either diet or salinity. The present findings provide evidence for the possibility of total fishmeal replacement in saline waters (0–12 g/L) without compromising growth, feed utilization and body composition of Nile tilapia.     

Complementary responses between hydrolyzed feather meal,fish meal and soybean meal without amino acid supplementation in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus diets

The purpose of this study was to evaluate hydrolyzed feather meal (HFM) as a substitute for fish meal (FM) or soybean meal (SBM) in Nile tilapia fry diets. Triplicate groups of fish (initial body weight 2.30 g ± 0.01) were fed seven isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets formulated to contain 30 % crude protein and 19.70 kJ g^?1 gross energy for 8 weeks. The control diet (CD) contained 22 % local FM and 30 % SBM, whereas in the other six diets, HFM replaced 33, 66 or 100 % of FM or SBM. The best weight gain (11.46), specific growth rate (3.14) and feed conversion ratio (1.24) of tilapia fry fed SBM_33%, CD, FM_33% and SBM_66% diets were exhibited. Final body weight and protein retention increased in a linear pattern with increasing amino acids in the experimental diets with the exception of leucine and valine. The results indicated that good-quality HFM can successfully replace FM or SBM by up to 33 and 66 %, respectively, in Nile tilapia fry diets without compromising growth and protein utilization. The results also support the benefits of combining different sources of plant and animal proteins in Nile tilapia diets.     

Growth performance, feed utilization, and body composition of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) fed with differently heated soybean-meal-based diets

This study was undertaken in order to determine the effect of feeding heat-treated, defatted soybean meal (SBM) on growth, feed utilization, and body composition of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). A control diet (SBM₀) of 378 g kg⁻¹ crude protein with 18.4 kJ g⁻¹ gross energy was formulated, and three diets identical to the basal diet were autoclaved for 10, 20, or 30 min. The autoclaved diets were named SBM₁₀, SBM₂₀, and SBM₃₀, respectively. Each diet treatment was applied to triplicate groups of 30 fish (2.45 ± 0.03 g) per tank (120 l). The fish were hand fed to satiation four times daily for 45 days. At the end of the feeding trial the fish fed with the SBM₃₀ diet had significantly (P < 0.05) higher weight gain and protein efficiency ratio than those fed with the other diets. No feed-related mortality was observed during the whole experimental period. Heating SBM for 30 min reduced trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) and increased apparent protein digestibility (APD), and indicated significant differences (P < 0.05) among various treatments. No significant differences were found in carcass moisture, lipid, and ash of fish fed with different experimental diets. An increase in the body protein content of fish fed with diet SBM₃₀ was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in all other experimental groups. The results of this study seem to indicate that autoclaving the SBM for 30 min improved its nutritional value in practical feeds for Nile tilapia fingerlings.     

Effects of substituting fish meal with Azolla pinnata in practical diets for fingerling and adult Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

Abstract. Dry and fresh Azolla pinnata were evaluated as feed ingredients for fingerling and adult Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.). Dry Azolla was incorporated into practical diets containing approximately 30% crude protein and 360–400kcal/lOOg of GE lo replace 25,50,75 and 100% of the fish meal (FM) protein in the control diet. Fresh Azolla was also tested as a total diet for these fish. Formulated diets were fed to duplicate groups of fingerling (2–54g ± 0093) and adult (4033g ± 103) fish at a daily rate of 5% and 3% of their body weight respectively for 10 weeks. Growth and feed utilization efficiency of fish fed the control diet were significantly higher than of those fed Azolla-supplemented diets. Fish performance continued to deteriorate with increasing dietary Azolla level in the diets. This reduction was extremely sharp when dry and fresh Azolla were used as total diets. Furthermore, adult tilapia fed fresh Azolla started losing weight from the 7th week. Fish fed fresh Azolla had significantly higher moisture content than those fed formulated diets. Body protein and lipid contents were negatively correlated with Azolla levels in the diets, while body ash content showed a positive correlation. Results of this study indicate that young Nile tilapia utilizes Azolla more efficiently than the adults.     

Interactive effects of dietary protein and live bakery yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae on growth performance of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.) fry and their challenge against Aeromonas hydrophila infection

Yeasts used as a probiotic in fish diets could stimulate fish resistance against bacterial infection and could enhance the activities of digestive enzymes in fish guts. In addition to yeast importance, dietary protein is another important part in fish diets that should be carefully optimized to meet fish requirement. It is proposed that the yeast supplementation may enhance the dietary protein turnover and reduce the protein requirement for fish. Therefore, the interactive effects of dietary protein and yeast levels on the growth performance of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.) fry and their challenge against Aeromonas hydrophila infection was evaluated. In the present study, ten experimental diets were formulated to contain either 35% or 45% crude protein (CP). For each protein level treatment, bakery yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) was supplemented at 0.0, 0.50, 1.0, 2.0, or 5.0 g/kg diet. Fish (0.25–0.48 g) were distributed at a rate of 25 fish per 140-L aquarium. For each diet, triplicate aquaria were fed twice a day, 5 days a week for 12 weeks. Fish growth and feed utilization were significantly affected by either dietary protein or yeast levels alone, while no significant effect of their interaction was observed. The highest fish growth was obtained at 1.0–5.0 g yeast/kg diet at both protein levels; however, the fish performance at 45% CP was better than that fed on 35% CP diets. The optimum feed conversion ratio (FCR) was obtained when fish fed on 1.0–5.0 and 2.0–5.0 g yeast/kg diet at 35 and 45% CP, respectively. The cumulative fish mortality, after interperitoneal injection with A. hydrophila for 10 days, and bactericidal activity was significantly higher in fish fed 35% CP diets than those fed 45% CP diets. Both variables decreased significantly with the increase in yeast levels. The lowest bacterial count and bactericidal activity were obtained in fish fed 5.0 g yeast/kg diet irrespective to dietary protein levels. It could be concluded that the inclusion of live bakery yeast in practical diets could improve the growth performances, feed utilization, and physiological status of Nile tilapia fry and their challenge against A. hydrophila infection. Moreover, fish performance when fed 45% CP diet was better than those fed 35% CP diet. Based on these results, the most suitable yeast level for maximum Nile tilapia growth was determined to be 2.0 g yeast/kg diet with 45% CP diet; however, this level was recommended to stimulate their productive performance and enhances their resistance against A. hydrophila infection.     

Contamination of palm kernel meal with Aspergillus flavus affects its nutritive value in pelleted feed for tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus

An assessment of the nutritive value of palm kernel meal (PKM) and aflatoxin‐contaminated PKM (obtained by fermenting PKM with Aspergillus flavus) as a dietary ingredient in pelleted feed for tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus Peters, was carried out in a 12‐week feeding trial. Seven isonitrogenous (40% crude protein) and isoenergetic (15.1 kJ g^?1) practical diets were formulated and fed close to apparent satiation to triplicate groups of 12 fish (mean initial weight 8.4 ± 0.1 g). The control diet contained 30% fish meal and 10% soybean meal (SBM) proteins. Four other experimental diets containing 20% and 50% of the SBM protein replaced by either PKM or fermented PKM, respectively, were formulated. Two additional diets containing either PKM or fermented PKM supplemented with a commercial aflatoxin adsorber (0.5% Sorbatox^TM) were also formulated. Measured aflatoxin B₁ levels in the fermented PKM‐based diets ranged from 75 to 100 µg kg^?1 diet. The growth performance and feed utilization efficiency of tilapia fed fermented PKM‐based diets were significantly lower than in fish fed the control diet at all inclusion levels (P < 0.05). Despite a small reduction, weight gains of tilapia fed PKM‐based diets were not significantly different compared with fish fed the control diet. The addition of 0.5% Sorbatox did not produce any beneficial or negative effects to the growth of tilapia. Under the dietary conditions of the present experiment, it was concluded that PKM can substitute up to 50% SBM in practical diets for O. mossambicus without much adverse effect to fish growth. However, when PKM was contaminated with A. flavus, its' incorporation into tilapia diets resulted in growth depression as a result of decreased diet digestibility and also possibly because of the presence of anti‐nutrients found in the contaminated PKM.     

Palm oil-laden spent bleaching clay as a substitute for marine fish oil in the diets of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

A 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of substituting fish oil with palm oil‐laden spent bleaching clay (SBC), a by‐product from crude palm oil (CPO) refining, on growth, feed utilization, fatty acid composition and heavy metal accumulation in the muscle of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic practical diets were formulated to contain 0, 100, 200 or 300 g kg^?1 SBC. Growth performance of Nile tilapia was significantly better in fish fed the 100 g kg^?1 SBC diet compared with fish fed the 0, 200 or 300 g kg^?1 SBC diet. Growth and feed utilization efficiency of fish fed 200 or 300 g kg^?1 SBC were similar to fish fed the control diet without added SBC. Whole‐body composition, body‐organ indices and haematocrit of tilapia were not affected by dietary treatments. Fatty acid compositions in the muscle lipid of Nile tilapia were strongly influenced by dietary treatments with progressively elevated levels of total saturates and n‐6 PUFA because of the dietary influence of these fatty acids from residual CPO adsorbed onto SBC. A gradual decrease in total n‐3 PUFA concentrations were also observed with the ratio of n‐3 to n‐6 fatty acids in muscle lipids decreasing from 4.75 to 4.41, 3.23 or 2.37 after 8 weeks on the 0, 100, 200 or 300 g kg^?1 SBC diet, respectively. The arsenic, cadmium and lead concentrations in the experimental diets increased with increasing dietary levels of SBC but the concentrations of these heavy metals in the whole body and bone of Nile tilapia were not significantly different among fish fed the various diets. The present 8‐week study showed that in fishmeal‐based diets for Nile tilapia, palm oil‐laden SBC can totally replace added fish oil. The use of this presently discarded waste product from palm oil refining in tilapia diets will greatly contribute to reducing the impact of rising feed costs in the culture of tilapia in many tropical countries. Other potential benefits may include acting as a feed binder, removal of mycotoxins in fish feeds as well as adsorbing toxic substances present in the culture water.     

Fishmeal replacement by soybean,rapeseed and cottonseed meals in hybrid sturgeon Acipenser baerii ♀ × Acipenser schrenckii ♂

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing fishmeal (FM) with soybean meal (SBM), rapeseed meal (RM) and cottonseed meal (CSM) on growth, feed utilization and body composition of juvenile hybrid sturgeon Acipenser baerii ♀ × Acipenser schrenckii ♂ (initial body weight, 8.63 ± 0.24 g). Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated as follows: a control diet (FM60) containing 600 g/kg FM and four other diets (FM45, FM30, FM15 and FM0 containing 450, 300, 150 and 0 g/kg FM, respectively) where protein from FM was substituted by a mixture of SBM, RM and CSM. Fish fed FM0 and FM15 had poorer growth performance, feed utilization, apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, protein, lipid and gross energy, and fed FM0 had poorer hepatosomatic index and survival compared with the fish fed FM60. The whole body lipid in fish fed FM0 was significantly higher than that in fish fed FM60 and FM15. This study indicates that 300 g/kg of FM can be replaced with a mixture of SBM, RM and CSM in the diet of juvenile hybrid sturgeon without compromising growth performance, feed utilization and body composition.     

Utilization of combined extruded soybean and corn gluten meals as feed ingredients for juvenile rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss diet

In this study, feeding experiment and subsequent digestibility trial were performed to investigate the utilization of extruded soybean meal (SBM) and corn gluten meal (CGM) as feed ingredients for juvenile rainbow trout. Plant ingredients have undergone extrusion at low temperature (100°C, LT) or high temperature (150°C, HT) for 30 s. Four isonitrogenous (44%, crude protein) and isolipidic (14%, crude lipid) diets were formulated. Control diet is fishmeal based while a combined (1:1) non‐extruded SBM and CGM for NE diet, LT SBM and LT CGM for LT diet and HT SBM and HT CGM for HT diet. Two hundred forty rainbow trout juveniles (7.8 g average body weight) were randomly divided into 12 rectangular 60 L glass aquaria and offered four different diets in triplicate. Fish were fed at satiation twice a day, six days a week for 12 weeks. Phosphorus in phytic acid level of extruded ingredients decreased through extrusion cooking. Final weight, weight gain, SGR and PER of fish fed HT diet were significantly (p < .05) higher than those fed with NE diet. Apparent digestibility coefficient for protein of LT and HT diets is significantly higher than of NE diet. The results of this study demonstrated that HT extruded SBM and CGM are suitable feed ingredients for rainbow trout diet without compromising fish growth, feed utilization and fish body composition.     

Complete Replacement of Fish Meal by Soybean Meal with Dietary L-Lysine Supplementation for Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.) Fingerlings

The effect of complete replacement of fish meal by soybean meal (SBM) with the dietary L-lysine supplementation in prepared diet was studied in Nile tilapia fingerlings. Five isonitrogenous (33.2% crude protein) and isocaloric (4.8 kcal gross energy/g of diet) diets were formulated. Diet 1 was similar to a high quality commercial tilapia diet, containing 20% fish meal and 30% SBM. Diets 2–5 contained 55%, 54%, 53%, and 52% SBM and 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0% L-lysine supplementation, respectively. After 10 wk, there was a significant difference in the final individual weight, final body length (cm), weight gain (%), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein effkiency ratio (PER), and food intake among flsh groups ( P ≤ 0.05). The best bal individual weight, final individual length (cm), weight gain (%), specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio (PER), and food intake were recorded in fish fed diet 2, which contained 55% SBM and 0.5% L-lysine. There was a significant difference between it and diet 1 (control). Moisture in fish flesh was not significantly different ( P > 0.05) among treatments and averaged 75.13%, while percentage protein was significantly dltrerent ( P ≤ 0.0% and the best result was achieved in flsh fed diet 2 and diet 1 (control). The highest values of digestibility coefficients of protein, fat and energy were recorded in groups of fish fed diet 2. These suggest that a diet with 55% SBM supplemented with 0.5% L-lysine can totally replace fish meal in a diet for Nile tilapia fingerlings, without adverse effect on fish performance.     

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.     

Optimization of the supplemental essential amino acids to a fish meal-free diet based on fermented soybean meal for rainbow trout <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>

To minimize the supplemental essential amino acids (EAAs) to a fish meal-free diet for rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, four types of fish meal-free diets and a control fish meal-based diet were fed to triplicate groups of trout (initial BW, 16 g) for 10 weeks. Two fish meal-free diets based on a fermented and an unfermented soybean meal were unsupplemented with EAAs (diet FSBM and SBM), and two fish meal-free diets based on the fermented soybean meal were supplemented with a combination of lysine and methionine (diet F + ML) and all EAAs (diet F + All), the EAA contents of which were lower than those of the control diet (diet FM). Although physiological conditions such as the biliary bile acid status and morphological features of fish fed diet FSBM were improved and similar to those of fish fed diet FM, the growth performance was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from fish fed diet SBM. The growth performances and whole body protein contents of fish fed F + ML and F + All diets were similarly improved compared to fish fed diet FSBM. These findings indicate that supplementation of lysine and methionine to a fermented soybean meal-based fish meal-free diet is enough to maximize the amino acid utilization of the diet.     

Effects of Reduced Soybean‐Meal Diets Containing Moringa oleifera or Leucaena leucocephala Leaf Meals on Growth Performance,Plasma Lysozyme,and Total Intestinal Proteolytic Enzyme Activity of Juvenile Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus,in Outdoor Tanks

Leaf meals are potential alternatives to soybean meal (SBM) in fish diets in developing countries because they are cheaper. Moringa oleifera (MOR) and Leucaena leucocephala (LEU) reduced nutrient digestibility of diets compared with SBM in an earlier study. However, fish raised outdoors consume natural foods, which might offset the negative effects of leaf‐meal diets. We conducted a feeding trial using mixed‐sex Nile tilapia (5.2 g) to assess performance of fish fed 36% protein diets with different concentrations of MOR and LEU leaf meals in place of SBM. Fish in static pools were fed daily to apparent satiation for 59 d. Individual weight gain (30.4–34.7 g), survival (91.8–97.3%), feed conversion ratio (FCR, 1.6–1.9), proximate composition, plasma lysozyme activity, and intestinal proteolytic enzyme activity were similar among diets. However, fish fed diets containing leaf meals had higher concentrations of n‐3 fatty acids than those fed the SBM control. Despite lower nutrient availability of the leaf‐meal diets compared with the soy diet, MOR or LEU could replace up to 30% of the SBM protein without reducing fish performance. Inclusion of poultry meal in the diets and probable nutrient supplementation from natural foods appeared to compensate for the lower nutritional value of the leaf meals compared with SBM.