Feed intake and growth performance of Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis Kaup, 1858) fed diets with partial replacement of fish meal with plant proteins

To be able to study nutrient requirement and utilization in any species, a diet supporting normal feed intake and growth equally well as a traditional fish meal‐based diet is needed. Additionally the formulation of the diet should allow low levels of the nutrient under study. When studying the amino acid metabolism and requirements, one cannot rely on the fish meal‐based diets as fish meal are nicely balanced according to requirements. Therefore the current study aimed to develop a plant protein‐based diet (with low fish meal inclusion) to be used in the nutritional studies of Senegalese sole juveniles supporting feed intake and growth close to that obtained in a fish meal‐based control feed. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate whether Senegalese sole juveniles would accept and utilize diets containing high plant protein inclusion. For testing the acceptance of high plant protein inclusion, two diets were formulated: a reference diet that contained fish meal as the main protein source (450 g kg^?1 dry matter) whereas in the test diet, fish meal was substituted by a mixture of plant ingredients (soybean meal, corn and wheat gluten) with l ‐lysine supplementation. In order to improve the palatability, 50 g kg^?1 squid meal was added to both diets. The indispensable amino acids (IAA) profile of the test diet was made similar to the control diet by adding crystalline amino acids. Further, automatic feeders were used to improve the feed intake. Fish (24 g initial body weight) were fed the diets for a period of 4 weeks. As fish accepted both diets equally well, a second study was undertaken to test the growth performance. Fish (6 g initial BW) were fed the diets for a period of 12 weeks. The use of automatic feeders to deliver the feed and the addition of both squid and balancing the indispensable amino acids resulted in growth performance and accretion not differing from the fish meal fed control. It can be concluded that juvenile Senegalese sole are able to grow and utilize high plant‐protein diets when both diet composition and feeding regime are adequate for this species.     

High dietary incorporation levels of rendered animal protein ingredients on performance of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1972)

Two growth trials were conducted using spray-dried blood meal (BM), feather meal (FEM), meat and bone meal (MBM) and poultry by-product meal (PBM) as major protein sources in the diet of rainbow trout. In the first trial, five diets were formulated to examine the nutritive value of spray-dried BM and PBM. Increasing levels of BM (6, 12%) or PBM (10, 20, and 30%) replaced fish meal and corn gluten meal in the diet. For the second trial, eight diets were formulated to contain the following combinations: FEM + MBM, FEM + PBM or MBM + PBM. The diets containing FEM + MBM and FEM + PBM were supplemented with either L-lysine or DL-methionine, the amino acids predicted to be the two most limiting in these diets. Each experimental diet was allocated to three tanks of fish and fed for 20 weeks in the first trial or 16 weeks in the second trial. All the experimental diets were readily consumed by the fish and high growth and good feed efficiency ratio (FER) were achieved for all diets. In the first trial, there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in weight gain or FER of fish fed the five experimental diets, suggesting that BM and PBM had high nutritive values for rainbow trout. In the second trial, growth of the fish fed the diet containing the FEM + PBM combination was not statistically different from growth of fish fed the control diet. Growth of fish fed diets with FEM + MBM or PBM + MBM combinations were slightly lower than that of fish fed the control diet. Supplementation of diets with either L-lysine or DL-methionine had no effect on the performance of the fish. The results from this study show that feather meal, poultry by-product meal, blood meal and meat and bone meal have good potential for use in rainbow trout diets at high levels of incorporation.     

Effects of dietary inclusion of soybean meal and cholesterol on the growth,cholesterol status and metabolism of the giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus)

The study evaluated effects of cholesterol supplementation in a diet with high soybean meal (SBM) on the growth and cholesterol metabolism of giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus). All‐fish‐meal diet was used as control. The diet including SBM (replaced 50% of the fish meal protein, SBM diet) and the SBM diet supplemented with 10 g/kg cholesterol (SBM + cholesterol) were used as experimental diets. Three diets were each fed to triplicate groups of juvenile grouper (initial body weight: 12.39 ± 0.36 g) in a recirculating aquaculture system for 8 weeks. Grouper fed the control diet showed higher (p < .05) weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio than the other two dietary treatments. Hepatic cholesterol concentrations and 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase gene expressions were higher in fish fed the control diet than fish fed the control diet and SBM + cholesterol diet. Hepatic cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase gene expression was higher in fish fed the SBM + cholesterol diet than that in fish fed the control diet. Results indicate that giant grouper on a diet low in cholesterol can regulate cholesterol synthesis, suggesting that the reduced dietary cholesterol intake in the fish fed diet containing SBM is sufficiently compensated by increased cholesterol synthesis.     

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.     

Tissue composition,blood biochemistry and histology of digestive organs in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) juveniles fed diets containing different plant protein ingredients

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of diets with different plant protein ingredients on proximate composition, tissue metabolites and tissue fatty acid composition, as well as hepatic and intestinal histological modifications in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis). Fish (21.5 ± 2.8 g body weight) were fed six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets during 11 weeks. A control diet containing fish meal as the main protein source was compared with five experimental diets replacing 30% fish meal protein by different plant protein sources: soybean meal (SBM), soybean protein concentrate (SPC), soybean protein isolate (SPI), wheat gluten meal (WGM) or pea protein concentrate (PPC). The inclusion of different plant protein did not significantly affect growth and proximate composition of fish. The hepatosomatic index was not significantly different to the control group; however, utilization of WGM significantly increased hepatocyte size. Plasma protein values and muscle triglycerides were influenced by the inclusion of SBM and WGM in the diets respectively. Feeding fish on SBM, WGM and PPC diets significantly enhanced n‐6 fatty acid levels in muscle, particularly linoleic acid. None of the plant protein ingredient used in the diets decreased arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic as well as docosahexaenoic acid values in liver and muscle. Overall, histological studies did not reveal the existence of any intestinal alterations induced by the inclusion of different plant proteins. Despite moderate changes produced by SBM, SPC and WGM, inclusion of dietary plant protein ingredients has no major impact on growth, tissue and blood biochemistry, fatty acid profile and gut integrity of Senegalese sole juveniles.     

Inclusion of citric acid and/or amino acid-chelated trace elements in alternate plant protein source diets affects growth and excretion of nitrogen and phosphorus in red sea bream Pagrus major

Nutrient dense diets not only challenge the physiological capabilities of fish but also result in discharge of excess amounts into the environment, causing eutrophication of the receiving water. This study investigated the effect of dietary levels of citric acid (CA) and/or amino acid-chelated trace element (AA-CTE) on growth and nutrient retention in red sea bream and loading of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N). Six practical diets were formulated, the control being a fish meal-based diet (F0) without addition of P, CA and AA-CTE. Diet F1 was supplemented with 1% mono calcium phosphate (0.25% P). In diets C1 and C2 fishmeal was replaced with alternate plant protein ingredients and supplemented with 1% and 2% CA, respectively. Diets A1 and A2 were akin to diets C1 and C2, respectively but contained AA-CTE instead of the inorganic trace element. Fish weighing around 12 g were offered the respective diets to satiation during the 12-week trial. Growth and feed performance were lowest for fish fed F0 diet, but significant improvement (P < 0.05) was noticed among those fed diets supplemented with P, CA or AA-CTE. The F1 group had the best growth (final body weight 85.02 g) while A1 group had the best FCR (1). Absorption of P was significantly higher (P < 0.01) for fish that received CA and/or AA-CTE (C1, C2, A1 and A2) compared to group that did not receive them (F0 and F1). The P and nitrogen (N) retention values in fish fed diets with CA and/or AA-CTE were significantly (P < 0.01) greater compared to the rest and this facilitated a reduction in excretion rates. The diet supplemented with 1% CA to an alternate plant protein sources diet without inorganic P supplementation had better performance compared to the diets supplemented with 2% CA, 1% CA + AA-CTE, and 2% CA + AA-CTE. Thus, without addition of inorganic P, 1% CA supplementation to alternate plant protein sources diets significantly improved fish growth, FCR and nutrient retention, besides lowering N and P loading. An efficient level of CA is suggested to be 1% or less in alternative plant protein source diets (containing 35% fish meal). These findings would contribute to the pursuit of environment-friendly feed for red sea bream.     

Non‐fish meal,non‐fish oil diet development for red sea bream,Pagrus major,with plant protein and graded levels of Schizochytrium sp.: Effect on growth and fatty acid composition

A feeding experiment was conducted to determine the optimal formulation level of algae meal, which is rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in a non‐fish meal diet. Six iso‐nitrogenous (450 g/kg) and iso‐lipidic (130 g/kg) experimental diets were prepared. The control diet was formulated with fish meal (400 g/kg), fish oil (60 g/kg), plant protein sources (220 g/kg) and rapeseed oil (50 g/kg). Plant protein sources (soy protein concentrate, soybean meal and corn gluten meal), rapeseed and fish oil were formulated in the second diet (NFM + FO). In the third diet, fish oil of the NFM + FO diet was replaced by rapeseed oil (NFM + NFO) and designated as the negative control. In the other three diets, rapeseed oil in the NFM + NFO diet was replaced with algae meal (Schizochytrium sp. powder) at 50 g/kg, 100 g/kg and 150 g/kg (AM5, AM10 and AM15, respectively). Triplicate groups of juvenile red sea bream (8.8 g) were fed the experimental diets for 12 weeks near satiation. The growth was lowest in the fish fed NFM + NFO diet. This was improved by the formulation of algae meal, which reached the growth level of the NFM + FO group in the AM10 group. The lipid content of the whole fish body in the NFM + NFO group was significantly lower than those of other groups. The fatty acid profile showed significant differences among dietary treatments. DHA content in total and polar lipids of the whole body and liver was highest in the AM10 and AM15 groups. These results reconfirm that microalgae are a suitable lipid source for the replacement of dietary fish oil for marine fish, and the optimal level was estimated as 50 g/kg?100 g/kg in diet.     

Effect of dietary phosphorus supplementation on utilization of algae in the grow‐out diet of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

This research involved testing the replacement of corn gluten protein concentrate in the diet of 1.5 g Nile tilapia with biofuel algae‐based or algae supplemented with phosphorus diets. Experimental diets were formulated to replace 50% of the gluten meal protein in the control diet with biofuel algae protein (Alga50) or Spirulina (Spirulina50) protein. In addition, dicalcium phosphate (P) was added to the Alga50 at a concentration of 3.8% or 7.74% to mitigate aluminium (Al) toxicity and designated as Alga50 + P, and Alga50 + PP respectively. After 9 weeks of the feeding experiment, fish fed diets supplemented with P, Alga50 + P and Alga50 + PP differed significantly (P < 0.05) with respect to the feed conversion and protein deposition from the control. The mineral composition of the fish body showed a decrease in levels of Al and iron (Fe) due to the P supplements. The mineral composition of the faeces indicated that Al and Fe were excreted in the faeces and were not accumulated in the fish body. The effect of dicalcium P supplementation on the neutralization of Al in the diet resulted in improved fish growth and histological integrity of the gastrointestinal tract.     

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

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

Effect of dietary protein level and source on digestive proteolytic enzyme activity in juvenile Senegalese sole, Solea senegalensis Kaup 1850

The effect of dietary protein level and protein source on growth and proteolytic activity of juvenile Solea senegalensis was studied. In Experiment 1, fish were fed on four experimental diets containing increased protein levels (36, 46, 56 and 67%). In Experiment 2, Senegalese soles were fed on five diets with partial substitution of fish meal by soybean meal, soybean protein concentrate, soybean protein isolate, wheat gluten meal or pea protein concentrate. Results prove that growth and proteolytic activity in the distal intestine of fish were affected by the quantitative increase in dietary protein. The origin of protein source used in the elaboration of experimental diets affected both the amount and composition of the alkaline proteases secreted into the intestinal lumen; however, it did not decrease animal growth. Juvenile Senegalese sole showed capability to modulate digestive protease secretion when the concentration and/or source of dietary protein were modified. Quantity and quality of dietary protein affected protein hydrolysis in Senegalese sole intestine. This study establishes that 30% fish meal protein can be replaced by soybean derivatives without affecting intestinal proteases. Replacement with wheat gluten meal or pea protein concentrate should be taken cautiously, but further research is needed to establish whether growth performance and digestive enzyme physiology of Senegalese sole are affected by plant protein-supplemented diets in a long-term trial.     

Effect of supplemental taurine on juvenile channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus growth performance

Juvenile channel catfish (5.6 g/fish) were fed a basal diet that contained major protein (soybean meal, cottonseed meal) and energy (ground corn grain, wheat middlings) ingredients that were derived from plant sources. The basal diet was supplemented with three levels of crystalline taurine to provide 1, 2 and 5 g/kg taurine. In addition, a fifth diet that contained 80 g/kg menhaden fishmeal formulated with the same plant‐source ingredients was included as the positive control diet. Fish were fed the five diets once daily for 12 weeks. Weight gain was highest in catfish fed taurine at 2 g/kg (47.8 g/fish) compared to catfish fed the control basal diet (40.8 g/fish) and 80 g/kg fishmeal diet (41.1 g/fish) (p < .05). Among the taurine‐supplemented diets, weight gain was lowest in catfish fed taurine at 5 g/kg. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly improved in fish fed diets supplemented with taurine at 2 g/kg compared to all other treatments (p < .01). Survival during the growth study ranged from 98.0 to 99.0% (p > .05) for all treatments. The results suggest taurine supplementation to juvenile channel catfish may improve weight gain and FCR.     

Replacement of fish meal with poultry by-product meal in diets formulated for the humpback grouper, Cromileptes altivelis

An eight-week feeding trial was conducted to examine the possibility of replacing fish meal with poultry by-product meal (PBM) at high inclusion levels in the diets of the humpback grouper, Cromileptes altivelis, a carnivorous marine tropical fish. Six isolipidic (12%) and isoproteic (50%), experimental diets were formulated to contain graded levels of PBM. Fish meal protein was replaced with a feed-grade PBM at 50, 75 or 100% level (FPBM50, FPBM75, FPBM100, respectively), or a pet food grade PBM at 75 or 100% replacement level (PPBM75 and PPBM100, respectively). The control diet contained Danish fish meal as the sole protein source. The experimental diets were fed close to apparent satiation, twice a day to triplicate groups of humpback grouper fingerlings (12.4 ± 0.2 g). The grouper fingerlings were randomly distributed into groups of 15 fish in cylindrical cages (61 cm depth and 43 cm diameter) and placed in a 150-ton seawater polyethylene tank. Except for fish fed the FPBM100 diet, growth performance, survival, and feed utilization efficiency for fish fed PBM-based diets were not significantly lower (P > 0.05) compared to fish fed the control diet. The PBM source and dietary level did not significantly affect (P > 0.05) the hepato- and visero-somatic indices or the condition factor of fish. Dry matter and protein apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of the diets decreased with increasing dietary PBM, and ranged from 64.3-71.5% and 86.2 to 91.2%, respectively. High values (91.7 to 96.7%) for lipid ADC were observed in all diets, with no significant differences among dietary treatments. Whole-body moisture and lipid contents of the fish were not affected by the inclusion of PBM in the diets. With the exception of fish fed the FPBM100 diet, whole-body protein of fish fed the PBM-based diets was slightly higher than that of fish fed the control diet. There was a trend of increased whole-body ash with the increase in dietary levels of PBM. The results from this study indicate that good quality terrestrial PBM can successfully replace more than half the protein from marine fish meal in the diets for humpback grouper. However, total replacement of fish meal with PBM might be constrained by lowered nutrient digestibility and limiting essential amino acids, especially lysine and methionine.     

Supplementation of maca (Lepidium meyenii) tuber meal in diets improves growth rate and survival of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) alevins and juveniles

Maca tuber meal is used in fish diet formulations in Andean trout culture and knowledge of its effects on fish growth is paramount to healthy human food production. In the first experiment with rainbow trout alevins (0.096±0.002 g), starter diets were offered from first feeding until 15 weeks. We formulated high protein content (～60%) semi‐purified starter diets supplemented with 0%, 5%, 10%, or 15% maca tuber meal (control, M‐5, M‐10, and M‐15 respectively). The second feeding trial was conducted with juveniles (1.56±0.02 g) fed one of three diets (control, M‐15, and commercial) for 8 weeks. In the first experiment, fish fed M‐10 and M‐15 diets exhibited significantly higher growth rates than the other dietary groups. Survival was significantly improved in the groups fed diets supplemented with maca tuber meal (60.0–69.2%) in comparison with the group fed a control diet (21.7%). The second experiment showed a higher growth rate in the M‐15 group compared with the control and a commercial diet fed group. Leucocyte numbers were increased by dietary supplementation of maca tuber meal. The findings of the present study suggest that a maca tuber meal inclusion at least 5% improves growth rate, feed utilization, immunity by increased leucocyte number, and survival of rainbow trout alevins and juveniles.     

Effective replacement of protein‐bound amino acids by crystalline amino acids in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) juveniles

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of free amino acids to replace protein‐bound amino acids in diets for Solea senegalensis juveniles. For this purpose, fish with 4.26 g mean initial weight were fed during 55 days with diets containing 500 g kg^?1 protein and 100 g kg^?1 lipid, based on fish meal and fish oil as main protein and lipid sources (control diet), or diets where 20%, 35% and 50% of fish meal were replaced by crystalline amino acids, using L‐lysine HCl as lysine source. To access the efficiency of the crystalline lysine source, another diet was formulated with 35% fish meal replacement but using L‐lysine sulphate instead of L‐lysine HCl as lysine source. Overall, growth performance, feed utilization, nutrient retention, whole‐body and amino acid composition did not show significant differences among groups. In conclusion, up to 50% protein‐bound amino acids can be replaced by crystalline amino acids in diets for Senegalese sole juveniles without negative effects in fish performance. Additionally, it was shown that L‐lysine sulphate and L‐lysine‐HCl may be used interchangeably by Senegalese sole juveniles, with the potential economic benefits involved.     

Inclusion of blue mussel extract in diets based on fish and soybean meals for tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes

Inclusion of the water-soluble fraction of blue mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis as a feed additive was examined with tiger puffer Takifugu rupbripes. The control diet mainly consisted of fish meal, potato starch, and pollack liver oil. Experimental diets were formulated to replace 30% and 40% of the fish meal protein with defatted soybean meal (SBM), and were supplemented with 0–20% mussel extracts. Fish of 18 g initial body weight were fed each diet to satiation, twice daily, 6 days per week for 7 weeks at 20°C. Weight gain and protein efficiency ratio of fish fed the diet containing SBM without the extract were significantly lower than those of the control at the 30% replacement level. Addition of 5% or 10% extract improved the growth and feed utilization to levels comparable to those of the control. At 40% substitution, statistically identical growth and feed performance to the control were obtained for diets supplemented with 10% or 20% extract; however, performance for 5% addition was significantly lower. Thus, the water-soluble fraction of blue mussels would be an effective feeding stimulant in aquaculture feed for tiger puffer that makes it possible to replace 30–40% of fish meal protein with SBM.     

The suitable dose of gamma irradiation on soybean meal as a fish meal substitute in diets for golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus)

A 5‐week feeding trial was conducted to assess the effect of gamma ray irradiation treatment on soybean meal as a fish meal substitute in diets for golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus). A diet containing 32% fish meal served as a reference (C), and 75% of the fish meal was replaced by soybean meal that either received no gamma ray irradiation (R0) or was irradiated with gamma ray at a dose of 5 (R5), 10 (R10), 15 (R15), 30 (R30) or 60 (R60) kGy respectively. All the diets were formulated to contain 46% crude protein and 6.5% crude lipid. The weight gain was higher in fish fed diets R5, R10, R15 and R30 than in fish fed diet R0. The feed intake was higher in fish fed diets R15, R30 and R60 than in fish fed diets R0, R5 and R10. No significant differences were found in feed conversion ratio, nitrogen retention efficiency, condition factor, hepatosomatic index, body composition, waste outputs of nitrogen and phosphorus between fish fed the diets with non‐irradiated soybean meal or irradiated soybean meal as the fish meal substitute. Proteins with heavy molecular weight in soybean meal were degraded, whereas the contents of proteins with light molecular weight or peptides increased with the increase in the irradiation dose. This study reveals that gamma ray irradiation at a dose of 5 to 15 kGy can significantly improve the level of soybean meal inclusion as a fish meal substitute in diets for golden pompano.     

Effects of dietary fishmeal replacement with Spirulina platensis on the growth,feed utilization,digestion and physiological parameters in juvenile gibel carp (Carassis auratus gibelio var. CAS III)

A 60‐day growth experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary replacement of fishmeal by Spirulina platensis on growth performance, digestion and physiological parameters in juvenile gibel carp (5.0 ± 1.0 g). Four diets were formulated to replace 0 (SP0), 50% (SP50), 75% (SP75) and 100% (SP100) of dietary fishmeal protein by S. platensis respectively. Other two diets based on SP100 were supplemented with 2% dicalcium phosphate (SP100 + P) or 0.28% coated lysine (SP100 + Lys). The results showed that no significant differences of specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency (FE), feeding rate (FR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were observed between SP0 group and the replacement groups (SP50, SP75 and SP100). FE and PER of fish‐fed SP100 + Lys diet were significantly higher than the fish‐fed SP100 diet (p < .05). Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter, protein, energy and phosphorus increased significantly with the increasing S. platensis inclusion. Meanwhile, fish from SP100 + P or SP100 + Lys group had higher ADCs of nutrients compared to the SP100 group (p < .05). Compared with SP0 diet, fish‐fed S. platensis diets had higher activities of plasma superoxide dismutase, hepatopancreas total antioxidant capacity, plasma alkaline phosphatase and plasma lysozyme, as well as the lower content of plasma malondialdehyde. The present results indicated that dietary fishmeal could be fully replaced by S. platensis without any negative effects on growth performance of gibel carp. Supplementation of lysine in the S. platensis replacement diet could further improve the feed utilization of gibel carp.     

Essential amino acids supplementation to practical diets affects growth,feed utilization and glucose metabolism‐related signalling molecules of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala)

Six diets were formulated to investigate the success of fish meal (FM) replacement by plant proteins; diet 1 reflected a commercial feed (8% FM), diet 3 contained 4% FM, and diet 5 was devoid of FM. Whereas, diet 2, diet 4, and diet 6 reflected diet 1, diet 3, diet 5, respectively, and supplemented with essential amino acid (EAA). At the end of 8‐week trial, there was no significant difference in survival rate. Significantly higher final weight, weight gain rate, and specific growth rate were recorded in the group fed diet 2 compared with the other treatments (except diet 4) (p < 0.05). Feed conversion ratio of fish fed diet 2 was significantly lower than those fed diets 1, 3, and 5 (p < 0.05). The lowest feed intake and highest protein efficiency rate were found in fish fed diet 2 (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in whole body compositions between treatments. Plasma aspartate transaminases, alanine aminotransferase, and glucose were significantly affected by dietary treatments (p < 0.05), while plasma protein and albumin contents were not influenced by the treatments. The relative expression of target of rapamycin (TOR) and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase, regulatory subunit 1 (alpha) (PIK3R1) in fish fed diet 3 (4% FM) were significantly down‐regulated compared with those fed diet 6 for TOR and diets 4 and 6 for PIK3R1 (p < 0.05). Insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS‐1) and janus kinase 3 (JAK3) expressions were fluctuated, with the higher levels in fish fed diets 4 and 6. In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate that plant protein mixture supplemented with EAA could be used to substitute FM in practical diet for Megalobrama amblycephala.     

Tributyrin‐supplemented high‐soya bean meal diets of juvenile black sea bream,Acanthopagrus schlegelii: Study on growth performance and intestinal morphology and structure

An 8‐week growth trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of tributyrin supplementation in a high‐soya bean meal diet on juvenile black sea bream (11.30 ± 0.16 g). The positive control (PC) diet contained 45% fishmeal and 20% soya bean meal, while the negative control (NC) contained 12% fishmeal and 45% soya bean meal. Graded levels of tributyrin were added to the NC diet at 0.05% (TB 0.05), 0.1% (TB 0.1), 0.2% (TB 0.2), 0.4% (TB 0.4) and 0.8% (TB 0.8). Ultimately, the fish fed the PC diet had a higher weight gain and specific growth rate than the fish fed other diets. The fish fed the NC diet had the lowest growth, and TB 0.05–TB 0.2 diets increased growth performance while TB 0.4–TB 0.8 diets caused reduction in growth. Dietary tributyrin supplementation improved protease activity and enhanced antioxidant capacity. Compared with the fish fed the NC diet, the fish fed the tributyrin‐supplemented diets had improved gut morphology and structure, and the results were similar to those of the fish fed the PC diet. Furthermore, the analysis of the dose response with second‐order polynomial regression indicated that the optimum tributyrin supplementation for juvenile black sea bream is 2.24 g/kg in the 45% soya bean meal diet.     

Dietary Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis,Gomont, 1892) improved the flesh quality and shelf life of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss,Walbaum, 1792) fed fish meal or plant‐based diet

This study was carried out to determine the effects of fish meal or plant‐based diets with supplementation of dietary Spirulina (4%) on shelf life of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Rainbow trout (initial weight: ~135 g) were fed four experimental diets (fish meal‐based FM, plant meal‐based‐PM, Spirulina included at 4% of fish meal‐based‐FM/S or plant meal‐based PM/S) for 12 weeks. After the feeding trial, trout were stored on ice at 4°C for 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days. The chemical, microbiological and sensory analyses of fish were subjected to each sampling days for flesh quality evaluation. TBA of supplemented dietary Spirulina was lower than that non‐supplemented dietary Spirulina. pH values of all groups decreased significantly between days 0 and 20 during the storage period (p < 0.05). Luminosity (L*) value of all groups increased with time in storage period. Fish fed Spirulina supplemented diets showed an increased red/green tonality (a*) (p < 0.05) compared with fish fed non‐Spirulina supplemented diets. In the end of the storage period, the total coliforms values of fish fed with PM/S diet lower than that of other all diets. In conclusion, dietary Spirulina could be allowed the shelf life of the rainbow trout to be extended.