Partial or total replacement of fish meal by local agricultural by‐products in diets of juvenile African catfish (Clarias gariepinus): growth performance,feed efficiency and digestibility

The study was undertaken to evaluate the growth performance and feed utilization of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, fed six diets (D) in which fishmeal (FM) was gradually replaced by a mixture of local plant by‐products. In diets 1 and 2, FM (250 g kg^?1) was replaced by sunflower oil cake (SFOC). In diets 3 and 4, FM (250 and 150 g kg^?1, respectively) was replaced by SFOC and bean meal (BM) while FM was totally substituted by a mixture of groundnut oil cake (GOC), BM and SFOC in diets 5 and 6. Sunflower oil cake was cooked, soaked or dehulled in order to determine the appropriate processing techniques for improving the SFOC nutritive value and to evaluate the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) values of the alternative diets. No significant differences were observed for daily feed intake, weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency (FE) among fish fed D1, D2, D3 (250 g kg^?1 FM), D4 (150 g kg^?1 FM) and D6 (0 g kg^?1 FM). The highest SGR (3.2% per day) and FE (1.2) were achieved in fish fed D3, and the lowest in fish fed D5 (0% FM), suggesting a maximum acceptable dietary concentration of hulled SFOC below 250 g kg^?1 in African catfish juveniles. Protein efficiency ratio ranged from 2.2 to 3.2 for all dietary treatments and was positively influenced by FM inclusion. African catfish were able to digest plant protein very efficiently in all diets tested. ADC of protein ranged from 88.6 to 89.5%, while ADC of energy was relatively low for diets containing hulled sunflower oilcake (71–74%) and high when sunflower oilcake was dehulled (78.6–81.3%). Similarly, ADC of dry matter was higher when sunflower was dehulled (72.1%) when compared with crude SFOC (60.5%). Soaking increased ADC values for neutral detergent fibre (NDF), dry matter, energy, protein and amino acids (AA). There were no significant differences in protein ADCs (88–90%) with increased levels of dietary vegetable ingredients. Both soaking and dehulling of sunflower before incorporation helped in the reduction of NDF, antitrypsin and tannins. Digestibility of all AA was generally high, greater than 90% for both indispensable and non‐indispensable AA. Based on the data obtained, it was possible to totally replace menhaden fish meal with a mixture of vegetable proteins (72% of total dietary protein) when diets contained a relatively low percentage of animal protein (28% based on blood meal and chicken viscera meal) without negative effects.     

Partial replacement of fishmeal with sunflower cake and corn oil in diets for tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linn): effect on whole body fatty acids

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of replacing fishmeal with high‐fibre and low‐fibre sunflower cakes (HFSC and LFSC) on whole body fatty acid composition in tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linn). Sex‐reversed O. niloticus males with an initial weight of approximately 16g ± 0.95 (SD) were used. A control diet based on herring meal and soybean meal was formulated. Six test diets were formulated such that low‐fibre (LF) and high‐fibre (HF) sunflower cakes (SC) contributed 30%, 60% and 80% of the dietary protein, and the diets were designated as LFSC‐30, LFSC‐60, LFSC‐80, HFSC‐30, HFSC‐60, and HFSC‐80 respectively. All fish were held at 25–28°C. They were fed three times daily their prescribed experimental diets for 70 days. At the end of this period they were starved for 24 h and weighed. Five fish representing the average weight of each replicated group (n=3) were frozen in plastic bags at –22°C for determination of fatty acid composition. Fatty acids in the fish were significantly influenced by diet. Palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids were the most abundant fatty acids in both the diets and the fish. Linoleic acid (18:2 ω6) was the most abundant fatty acid in diets based on sunflower cake. The levels of this fatty acid were also higher in fish fed diets with high contents of the sunflower cakes (LFSC‐60, LFSC‐80 and HFSC‐80) (31.3%, 34.7% and 29.7% respectively) than fish fed the control diet (13.8%). Percentages of long chain polyunsaturated acids of the ω‐3 family viz., docosahexaenoic (22:6 ω3) and eicosapentaenoic (20:5 ω3) were low in the diets and in the fish bodies. Fish fed the control diet had a higher level of 22:6 ω3 than those fed the other diets. The possible implications of the preceding findings for human health will be discussed.     

Utilization of unprocessed and fibre‐reduced oilseed cakes of rapeseed and sunflower seed in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss W.) nutrition—Evaluation of apparent digestibility and growth performance

Two digestibility trials were carried out to determine the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) for crude protein (CP), crude lipid (CL) and energy of unprocessed and two differently processed fibre‐reduced rapeseed and sunflower seed oil cakes (sieved oilseed cakes and oilseed cakes produced from partially dehulled seeds) in rainbow trout (40 fish per tank; four tanks per diet). Each trial was followed by a 63‐day growth trial, wherein the respective oilseed cakes with the highest ADCs were evaluated as fishmeal substitutes, based on digestible CP. Oilseed cakes of rapeseeds and sunflower seeds had low nutrient ADCs (Trial 1). Nonetheless, the protein in rapeseed cake was able to replace up to 10% of the fishmeal protein in a diet without negatively affecting performance traits (Trial 2). Fibre reduction increased the ADCs of both types of oilseed cakes substantially (Trial 3). However, when fish were fed diets with 0%, 25% and 50% fishmeal protein replaced with dehulled rapeseed or dehulled sunflower seed cake protein, performance traits decreased with increasing substitution levels (Trial 4). Nonetheless, the amount of fishmeal needed per unit weight gain was lower for all fish fed the diets containing either one of the dehulled oilseed cakes than for the reference diets.     

Replacement of fishmeal by canola protein concentrate in diets fed to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

A dephytinized protein concentrate prepared from canola seed (CPC) was assessed for nutrient digestibility and performance in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The apparent digestibility coefficients of CPC were: dry matter, 817 g kg^?1; crude protein, 899 g kg^?1; gross energy, 861 g kg^?1; arginine, 945 g kg^?1; lysine, 935 g kg^?1; methionine, 954 g kg^?1; threonine, 893 g kg^?1. A 9‐week performance trial assessed 7 diets. Fishmeal provided 940 g kg^?1 of the protein in the control diet. Test diets consisted of CPC or water‐washed CPC replacing 500 and 750 g kg^?1 of fishmeal protein; and CPC plus an attractant replacing 500 and 750 g kg^?1 of fishmeal protein. No significant differences in performance were observed (P > 0.05). A subsequent 9‐week performance trial evaluated the effect of adding CPC into compound diets containing fishmeal/soybean meal/corn gluten meal. Five diets were prepared: fishmeal provided 670 g kg^?1 of the protein in the control diet, in the remaining diets CPC was incorporated into commercial‐like trout diets at 100, 200 and 300 g kg^?1 replacement of fishmeal protein, the fifth diet included an attractant in the 300 g kg^?1 replacement diet. No significant differences in performance were obtained (P > 0.05). These studies show that dephytinized canola protein concentrate has potential to replace substantial levels of fishmeal in diets for carnivorous fish without compromising performance.     

Nutritive value of partially dehulled and extruded sunflower meal for post-smolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in sea water

This study determined the digestibility of protein in partially dehulled sunflower meal (SFM) and then, as the main goal, the nutritive value of high‐temperature extruded (≤149°C) partially dehulled SFM (SFM_EX) for post‐smolt Atlantic salmon Salmo salar in sea water. The digestibility study was conducted using the settling column approach (‘Guelph system’) for faeces collection as described by Hajen, Higgs, Beames and Dosanjh. In the nutritive value study, triplicate groups of 50 salmon (mean weight ～116 g) in 4000‐L outdoor fibreglass tanks supplied with 25–40 L min^?1, filtered, oxygenated (dissolved oxygen, 7.0–8.5 mg L^?1), 11–12°C sea water (salinity, 29–31 g L^?1), were fed twice daily to satiation one of five steam‐pelleted dry diets that contained 422 g of digestible protein (DP) kg^?1 and ～16.4 MJ of digestible energy (DE) kg^?1 on a dry weight basis for 84 days. Low‐temperature‐dried anchovy meal (LT‐AM) comprised 68.2% of the basal diet protein whereas in four test diets, SFM_EX progressively replaced up to 33.0% of the DP provided by LT‐AM in the basal diet (SFM_EX≤271 g kg^?1 of dry matter). Sunflower meal had 87.9% DP. Diet treatment did not significantly affect specific growth rate (1.39–1.45% day^?1), feed efficiency (1.19–1.26), percentage of dietary protein retained (45.8–47.5), gross energy utilization (46.5–49.4%), per cent survival (96.0–99.3) or terminal whole body and muscle proximate compositions. We conclude that SFM_EX can comprise ≥271 g kg^?1 of the dry diet or ≥22.7% of the digestible dietary protein of post‐smolt Atlantic salmon in seawater without any adverse effects on their performance.     

Partial or total replacement of fishmeal by solvent-extracted cottonseed meal in diets for juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The effect of solvent‐extracted cottonseed meal (SCSM) as a partial or total replacement of fishmeal was studied in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Six experimental diets SCSM0, SCSM25, SCSM50, SCSM75, SCSM75A and SCSMT, containing a gradient of SCSM 0, 152, 305, 465, 460 and 610 g kg^?1 to replace 0, 112.5, 225, 337.5, 337.5 and 450 g kg^?1 fishmeal protein were fed to triplicate groups (initial body weight of 39.2 ± 0.1 g) for 8 weeks. The diet SCSM75A was supplemented with lysine and methionine, to be similar to SCSM0 for juvenile rainbow trout. Faeces were colleted after 4 weeks of normal feeding for apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter, crude protein and gross energy determination. Total replacement of fishmeal adversely affected growth performance. Fish fed with diet SCSMT had significantly (P < 0.05) lower weight gain, specific growth ratio, feed conversion efficiency (FCE) and protein efficiency ratio than fish fed with other diets. The FCE of SCSM75 and SCSM75A were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of fish fed with SCSM0 diets. The ADC of the dry matter of SCSM75 and SCSMT were significantly lower than the SCSM0 diet, and the ADC of crude protein and the energy of SCSMT were the lowest (P < 0.05). The ADC of threonine, proline, alanine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine and methionine of fish fed with diet SCSMT were lower. Lysine and methionine supplement positively affected the ADC of SCS75A diet. There were no significant differences in the fish body composition. It is shown that SCSM can be utilized in the juvenile rainbow trout diet up to 305 g kg^?1, to replace about 50% of fishmeal protein in this experiment.     

Sunflower seed meal as a protein source in diets for Tilapia rendalli (Boulanger, 1896) fingerlings

This study tested the use of sunflower seed meal as a dietary protein replacement for fishmeal in practical diets for tilapia fingerlings. In order to determine the optimum substitution level for this species, sunflower seed meal was used to replace 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% of the fishmeal protein in diets containing 40% protein overall. During a 70‐day feeding period, diets containing 10% and 20% plant protein provided the best growth and feeding efficiency results, with values statistically similar to those of the control diet based on fishmeal as the sole protein. The unitary feeding cost index showed the highest profit with diets containing 20% sunflower seed meal. Growth depletion observed with diets containing higher sunflower seed meal percentages is explained by increasing Phe and Met deficiencies, and high non‐digestible fibre content. It was concluded that sunflower seed meal is a suitable feed ingredient for tilapia complete diets when it constitutes up to 20% of the dietary protein.     

Evaluation of apparent digestibility coefficients of individual feed ingredients in spotted rose snapper Lutjanus guttatus (Steindachner, 1869)

Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) for dry matter, crude protein, energy and essential amino acids for five commonly used feed ingredients were determined for juvenile spotted rose snapper Lutjanus guttatus (average body weight 90.6 g). ADCs were determined using the stripping technique to collect faeces after fish were fed a reference diet and test diets composed of 700 g kg^?1 reference diet and 300 g kg^?1 test ingredient. Chromic oxide (Cr₂O₃) was used as an inert indicator. Ingredients tested included sardine fishmeal (FM), canola meal (CM), tuna by‐products meal (TBM), poultry by‐product meal pet grade (PBM‐PG) and solvent‐extracted soybean meal (SBM). In general, all ingredients showed high digestibility values for all essential amino acids, although differences were detected among ingredients. ADC values for dry matter, protein and energy ranged 77.0–80.4%, 84.3–82.5% and 89–88.8%, respectively, for marine ingredient and land‐based animal protein sources, and 75.0–74.2%, 81.5–80.9% and 87.4–86.8%, respectively, for the plant‐based protein source. SBM, TBM and PBM‐PG should be further evaluated in feeding trials as partial FM replacements in rose snapper L. guttatus diets. Knowledge of ADC values for these ingredients will allow feed producers to develop nutritionally balanced, low‐cost feed formulations for this species.     

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

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

Apparent digestibility coefficients of several protein sources,and replacement of fishmeal by porcine meal in diets of Japanese seabass,Lateolabrax japonicus,are affected by dietary protein levels

A digestibility and a growth trial were conducted in this study respectively. Firstly, the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of nutrients and energy in meat and bone meal, porcine meal (PM), hydrolysed feather meal, poultry by‐products meal, fishmeal (FM), soybean meal and spray‐dried blood meal were determined. In experiment 2, an 8‐week growth trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of the substitution of FM by PM under the digestible ideal protein concept at two protein levels in the diets of Japanese seabass, Lateolabrax japonicus. A FM‐based control diet (FM diet; FM: 320 g kg^?1, crude protein: 434.9 g kg^?1, crude lipid: 124.6 g kg^?1) and three other diets were formulated to contain 115 g kg^?1 PM and only 160 g kg^?1 FM. Two diets were formulated on a crude protein basis without (PM diet) or with (PMA diet) essential amino acid (EAA) supplementation respectively. A low‐protein diet was designed (LPMA diet, crude protein: 400.9 g kg^?1, crude lipid: 96.3 g kg^?1) with the same level of FM and PM but with the same digestible protein/ digestible energy and EAA profile as the FM diet. The results showed that nitrogen and total amino acid digestibility of the tested ingredients were ranged from 85.6% to 95.5% and from 87.6% to 95.5% respectively. Apparent digestibility coefficients of protein for FM and PM were 91.2% and 95.9% respectively. In the growth trial, the weight gain rate and feed conversion ratio of fish fed the PMA diet did not show a significant difference from those of the control group, but were significantly higher than those of the PM and LPMA groups (P<0.05). Growth was related linearly to lysine and methionine intakes. It was shown that PM could be utilized in the Japanese seabass diet up to 115 g kg^?1 to replace about 160 g kg^?1 of FM protein under an ideal protein profile. Essential amino acid deficiency (diet PM) or a lower protein level despite having an ideal amino acid profile (diet LPMA) could not support the optimal growth of Japanese seabass.     

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).     

Partial replacement of fishmeal by soybean meal in diets for juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

An 8‐week feeding experiment was conducted in floating cages (1.5 × 1.0 × 2.0 m) to determine the potential use of defatted soybean meal (roasted and solvent‐extracted) as a partial replacement of fishmeal in the isonitrogenous (approximately 450 g kg^?1 CP [crude protein]) diet for juvenile cobia with an initial average weight of about 8.3 g. Diets were formulated to include 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 g kg^?1 (diets D0, D10, D20, D30, D40, D50 and D60, respectively) of fishmeal protein being substituted by defatted soybean meal without methionine supplementation. The results showed that weight gain rate decreased significantly when the replacement level of fishmeal protein was increased from 400 g kg^?1 to 500 g kg^?1, and the D60 diet was the lowest in all groups. These results indicate that up to 400 g kg^?1 of fishmeal protein can be replaced by defatted soybean meal without causing significant reduction in growth. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were significantly affected by the replacement level of fishmeal protein being substituted by defatted soybean meal, when the replacement level of fishmeal protein was 200 g kg^?1 (diet, D20), FCR was the lowest and PER was the highest. There were no significant differences in the moisture, lipid, crude protein and ash content in whole body and muscle, while lipid content in liver increased as the dietary soybean meal replacement levels increased. There were significant differences in haemoglobin, haematocrit, red blood cell, plasma glucose and triglyceride concentration in fish fed diets with different soybean meal replacement levels. Results of this trial indicated that the optimum level of fishmeal protein replacement with defatted soybean meal, determined by quadratic regression analysis was 189.2 g kg^?1, on the basis of maximum weight gain.     

Growth performance, body composition and phosphorus availability of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) as affected by diet processing and replacement of fishmeal by detoxified castor bean meal

The objectives of the study were to determine the effect of diet processing and replacement of fishmeal by detoxified castor bean meal (DCBM) on growth performance, body composition and phosphorus availability of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus, initial body weight 9.74 ± 0.03 g). Three replacing levels (0, 40 and 100% of fishmeal protein were replaced by DCBM protein) were designed, which were processed by pelleting machine or extruder, respectively. Y₂O₃ (1 g kg^?1) was used as inert marker for apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) measurement. The results showed that DCBM replacement level significant decreased specific growth rate, feed conversion efficiency, protein efficiency ratio and feed intake. Phosphorus excretion was reduced because of lower intake of apparently absorbed phosphorus and higher ADC of total phosphorus with higher inclusion level of DCBM; extrusion significantly increased ADC of dry matter while decreased ADC of total phosphorus and intake of apparently absorbed phosphorus compared with the pellet diet. The DCBM replacement levels, processing methods and interaction factor had significant effects on the whole body composition. According to the results of this study, it is concluded that juvenile grass carp can accept the extruded diets containing 50 g kg^?1 DCBM (<16 mg kg^?1 ricinine).     

Nutritive Evaluation of Lysine- and Methionine-Supplemented Raw Vs Heat-Processed Soybean to Replace Fishmeal as a Dietary Protein Source for Grey Mullet,Mugil cephalus,and Milkfish,Chanos chanos

Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of methionine- and lysine-supplemented raw and hydrothermically processed full-fat soybean as a dietary protein source on growth performance, digestibility, and digestive enzyme activity in grey mullet, Mugil cephalus (mean BW 0.55 g), and milkfish, Chanos chanos (mean BW 3.83 g). Eight isocaloric (gross energy about 18.27 kj g^?1) and isonitrogenous (crude protein about 40%) diets (1–4 = raw soybean based; 5–8 = processed full-fat soybean based) were formulated. A fishmeal-based diet was used as the reference/control diet. Growth performance, nutrient retention, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and protein digestibility in fishes correlated well with the trypsin inhibitor activity levels of the diets. Carcass phosphorous levels were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in fish fed the fishmeal control diet. Irrespective of the fish species, significantly (P < 0.05) lower levels of total ammonia excretion and reactive phosphate production (mg kg^?1 BW d^?1) were recorded where the fish were fed processed full-fat soybean diets compared with the fish fed fishmeal or raw soybean diets. Among these diets, the best growth performance and the lowest levels of metabolic waste were obtained in fishes fed the methionine- and lysine-supplemented processed soybean-based diets containing no fishmeal.     

Investigation of the nutritional requirements of Australian snapper Pagrus auratus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801): apparent digestibility of protein and energy sources

Two experiments were carried out to determine the apparent crude protein (CP), organic matter (OM), fat and gross energy (GE) digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of several protein and energy sources (ingredients) for Australian snapper using the indirect method of determination and collection of faeces by passive settlement. The first experiment determined ADCs for one level of fishmeal (500 g kg^?1 diet), three levels of extruded wheat (200, 300 or 400 g kg^?1 diet) and two levels of fish oil (150 or 250 g kg^?1 diet). The second experiment determined ADCs for two levels each of meat meal or poultry meal (300 or 500 g kg^?1 diet), one level each of haemoglobin powder or blood meal (150 g kg^?1 diet) and one level each of solvent extracted soybean meal or a low‐allergenic, cold‐pressed soybean meal (300 g kg^?1 diet). Similar ingredients and where appropriate, different inclusion levels were compared using one‐ or two‐way analysis of variance (anova ). Fishmeal was almost completely digested and ADC values ranged between 94.3% and 99.2%. Fish oil was also well digested, with ADC values ranging between 97.6% and 106.0% and was not significantly affected by inclusion level. Linear regression analysis indicated that there was no relationship between the inclusion level of extruded wheat and either CP (ADCs ranged from 100.1% to 105.4%) or fat digestibility (ADCs ranged from 89.1% to 104.4%). However, there was a significant negative linear relationship between the inclusion level of extruded wheat and GE digestibility (GE_ADC=86.51?0.031 × inclusion level; R²=0.49). Two‐way anova indicated that CP, OM and GE ADCs of poultry meal (i.e. 85.9%, 89.7% and 91.3% respectively) were significantly higher than those determined for meat meal (i.e. 63.8%, 63.4% and 71.3% respectively), but ADCs were not affected by inclusion level or the interaction between inclusion level and ingredient type. The fat digestibility coefficients of meat and poultry meal were not significantly different (ADCs ranged from 92.3% to 95.0%). The CP digestibility of haemoglobin powder (95.1%) was significantly higher than that of ring‐dried blood meal (81.6%), but there was no difference between the digestibility of OM (77.0%) or GE (80.4%) from these products. There was no difference between the CP (88.9%), OM (56.9%) and GE (65.6%) digestibility of the solvent extracted soybean meal and the low‐allergenic, cold‐pressed soybean meal. These coefficients will be useful in formulating both practical and research‐based diets for this species.     

Effect of different oil cake sources on growth, nutrient retention and digestibility, muscle nucleic acid content, gut enzyme activities and whole-body composition in silver barb, Puntius gonionotus fingerlings

Six iso‐nitrogenous (30% crude protein) and iso‐energetic (15 kJ g⁻¹) diets were prepared using different oil cake sources, viz. groundnut, soybean, sunflower, sesame, mustard and mixed oil cakes as major ingredients, and protein sources along with a minimum of 5% fish meal in each diet and were fed to silver barb Puntius gonionotus fingerlings (16.20±0.11 g) ad libitum four times a day close to an apparent satiation level for a period of 60 days to determine the effect of diets on growth, nutrient utilization, apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of the nutrients in the diets, gut enzyme activity, muscle nucleic acid content and whole‐body chemical composition of fish. Significantly higher (P<0.05) weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, nutrient retention, ADC of nutrients in the diets, DNA:RNA ratio, protease and amylase activity with lower (P<0.05) feed:gain values were recorded in fish‐fed groundnut and soybean oil cake‐based diets than other diets tested. Among the dietary treatment groups, significantly higher (P<0.05) whole‐body protein, lipid and energy were also found in groundnut oil cake‐ and soybean oil cake‐based diets. The study suggests that the groundnut and soybean oil cake‐based diets, which led to significantly higher (P<0.05) growth and nutrient utilization than the other oil cake‐based diets in P. gonionotus fingerlings, may be used for pond culture of this species.     

Effects of cellulase addition to canola meal in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) diets

The effects of commercial cellulase enzyme products on the nutritive value of canola meal (CM) were determined in tilapia fry. Nine diets were prepared by adding cellulase enzyme (1–5 g kg^?1) to control diet (containing no canola), low canola (41.7 g kg^?1 CM) and high canola (208.3 g kg^?1 CM). Tilapia fry was fed for 90 days, and growth, feed conversion ratio (FCR), body composition and nutrient digestibility were determined. Fish fed the diets containing the lowest levels of canola meal (41.7 g kg^?1) had similar final weight and FCR relative to the group fed the control diet, and high canola diet showed significantly lower growth than other groups (P < 0.05), irrespective of cellulase enzyme. The addition of canola meal to tilapia diets resulted in lower protein digestibility and cellulose digestibility. There were no significant differences in body compositions in all treatments. Addition of enzymes to canola meal diets had no significant effects on growth performance, body compositions and nutrient digestibility. The results of this study indicate that use in higher level of canola meal in tilapia diet was adversely affected growth parameters and FCR. Adding dietary cellulase enzyme in different rations to diets showed no significant differences in growth parameter.     

Effects on digestibility and growth of juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum) fed fish or crab silage protein

The study was conducted in Cam Ranh, Vietnam, in 1000‐L tanks supplied with recirculated and biofiltered saltwater (33‰ and 28.4 °C) to evaluate the potential use of lizard fish (Saurida undosquamis) or blue crab (Portunus pelagicus) acid silage protein for juvenile cobia (23–25 g). Six isoenergetic test moist diets (4915–5125 kcal kg^?1), using either raw fish diet, fish silage diet (FSD), raw crab diet, crab silage diet (CSD), mixed raw fish/raw crab diet or mixed fish/crab silage diet (MSD), as part of the protein sources in the steam‐cooked diets, were fed to satiety to triplicate groups of 20 fish each for a 6‐week growth trial. Y₂O₃ was added as an inert indicator to determine the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) for macro nutrients and gross energy. Weight gain (185–286%) and specific daily growth rate (2.5–3.2% per day) were significantly higher in cobia fed the raw‐based diets and FSD than in fish fed CSD and MSD (34–90 and 0.7–1.5% per day). Feed conversion ratios (FCR) were significantly higher in the groups fed CSD and MSD diets (2.1–6.5) than the groups fed the other diets (1.0–1.2), resulting in significantly lower protein productive values (0.1–0.2) in the groups fed CSD and MSD than in the other groups (0.3–0.4). The FCR results were confirmed by significantly lower ADC values in fish fed CSD and MSD than those in fish fed the other diets. We thus conclude that the present raw‐based diets were better utilized by juvenile cobia than silage‐based diets, particularly the diet made from crab silage.     

Effect of replacing fishmeal and oil with simple or complex mixtures of vegetable ingredients in diets fed to Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The effect of replacing fishmeal with simple or complex mixtures of plant proteins in tilapia diets was examined. Diet formulations were arranged in a 2 × 4 factorial design with two types of plant protein mixtures used to replace fishmeal (simple: soybean meal and maize gluten meal or complex: soybean meal, maize gluten meal, dehulled flax, pea protein concentrate and canola protein concentrate) and four levels of protein originating from fishmeal (1000 g kg^?1, 670 g kg^?1, 330 g kg^?1 and 0 g kg^?1). Diets contained equal digestible protein (380 g kg^?1) and digestible energy (17.6 MJ kg^?1). The average daily gains, specific growth rates and feed efficiencies of fish fed diets with 0 g kg^?1 fishmeal were significantly lower than fish fed diets with the 330 g kg^?1, 670 g kg^?1 or 1000 g kg^?1 fishmeal levels. Fish fed the complex diets had significantly higher average daily gains, specific growth rates, feed : gain ratios and protein efficiency ratios than those fed the simple diets. Intestinal villus length decreased with decreasing levels of fishmeal and increased with increased diet complexity but the effects were not significant. Replacement of fishmeal with a complex mixture of plant ingredients may allow a greater replacement of fishmeal in diets fed to Nile tilapia.     

Growth,nitrogen gain and indispensable amino acid retention of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus,Holmberg 1887) fed different brewers yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) levels

A feeding‐and‐digestibility trials were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of replacing fishmeal with brewers yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in diets of pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus, juveniles. The feeding trial was conducted during 54 days with 450 fish (26.6 ± 1.7 g) testing six isonitrogenous (270 g kg^?1 crude protein) and isoenergetic (19 MJ kg^?1 crude energy) diets, with increasing yeast level to replace 0 (control), 30, 35, 50, 70 or 100% of dietary fishmeal. Growth performance and feed utilization increased with increasing dietary yeast level until 50% fishmeal replacement. Protein retention efficiency was higher in fish fed 35 and 50%. Protein digestibility and the fillet hue (the red/green chromaticity) were not significantly different among all treatments. Nitrogen gains were significantly improved in fish fed 35% replacement diet compared to fish fed the control diet. The retentions of indispensable amino acids tended to increase with increasing dietary yeast levels, with maximum retention at 35–50%. On the basis of our results, replacing 50% fishmeal by yeast in pacu diets successfully improved feed efficiency and growth performance, and reduced nitrogen losses, thereby reducing the nitrogen outputs from fish farms.