The use of HUFA-rich algal meals in diets for Litopenaeus vannamei

A 15‐week growth trial was conducted with juvenile, Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei to study the efficacy of using algal meals as a source of highly unsaturated fatty acids in practical diets that are designed to contain no marine protein or oil sources. Based on previous study, a practical diet was designed containing co‐extruded soybean poultry by‐product meal with egg supplement and soybean meal as the primary protein sources for formulations containing 350 g kg^?1 crude protein and 100 g kg^?1 lipid. To further refine the diets, the fish oil in two of the diets was completely substituted with plant oils and oil originating from microbial fermentation products rich in docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ArA). A commercial shrimp feed was also included in the trial for comparison. The mean values for shrimp final weight (17.8 g), yield (537.7 g m^?2 or 703.2 g m^?3), survival (98.5%) and feed conversion ratio (1.4 : 1) showed no statistically significant differences between diets. The results suggest that co‐extruded soybean poultry by‐product meal and oil from heterotrophic microalgal fermentation sources can be potential candidates for fish meal and marine oil replacement in shrimp diets.     

Effect of substitution of shrimp meal, fish meal and soy meal with red crab Pleuroncodes planipes (Stimpson) meal in pelleted diets for postlarvae and juvenile Farfantepenaeus californiensis (Holmes)

A study was conducted to investigate red crab Pleuroncodes planipes (Stimpson) as a protein source in experimental diets for postlarvae and juvenile brown shrimp Farfantepenaeus californiensis (Holmes). Four experimental diets were prepared. The base diet contained 10% shrimp meal, 25% fish meal and 27% soy meal plus other ingredients. Complete substitution of shrimp meal with red crab meal (RCM) was done on the remaining diets. Additionally, 5% of the soy meal was replaced with RCM in one diet, and 4% of the fish meal was replaced with RCM in the last diet. A commercial diet (36% crude protein) was used as an external comparison diet to provide a basis to evaluate the growth of shrimp on the test diets. The trial with shrimp postlarvae showed that diets containing RCM produced better results in terms of final weight (3.24–3.55 g), growth rate (0.044–0.046 g d^?1) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (3.7–3.8) than the base or the commercial comparison diets. The FCR was significantly different between the base diet (4.5) and the commercial diet (5.5). Final weight (3.83 g) and growth rate (0.044 g d^?1) were higher when the diet replacing 4% fish meal was used to feed juveniles. The commercial diet produced the lowest values of final weight (2.57 g) and growth rate (0.025 g d^?1) and the highest FCR (5.6) (P<0.05). These results indicate that the use of P. planipes as a replacement for traditional ingredients in shrimp rations is desirable.     

Evaluation of potential of lupin meal as an alternative to fish meal in juvenile Penaeus monodon diets

An indoor feeding trial in a flow-through marine water system was performed to evaluate the feasibility of using dehulled lupin Lupinus albus seed meal as a protein source to replace fish meal in diets for the juvenile Penaeus monodon. Five isonitrogenous (40% crude protein) diets formulated by replacing 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of fish meal protein by lupin meal protein were fed to shrimp (mean initial weight of 4.32 ± 0.23 g) three times daily at a feeding allowance of 5% body weight per day for 42 days. Shrimp fed diets with 0, 25, 50 and 75% replacement had similar (P > 0.05) weight gain, dry matter feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and apparent net protein utilization (ANPU). Shrimp fed the highest dietary inclusion level of lupin meal (100% replacement) had significantly (P < 0.05) lower responses for all the above parameters than shrimp fed all other diets. Survival was high (87–100%) and similar for all diets. Apparent dry matter digestibility (ADMD) of diets with 25, 50, 75 and 100% replacement of fish meal with lupin meal was similar (75.6–76.6%) and significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of diet with 0% replacement (73.9%). Diets containing the two highest lupin inclusion levels (75 and 100% replacement) had significantly (P < 0.05) better apparent protein digestibility (APD) than those containing the two lowest lupin meal inclusion levels (0 and 25% replacement). There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in whole-body composition (dry matter, protein, lipid and ash) of shrimp fed on the various diets. Pellet water stability was inversely related to level of lupin meal inclusion. It was found, in this study, that up to 75% protein of fish meal can be replaced with the protein of dehulled lupin seed meal in diets for juvenile P. monodon. The diet with total replacement of fish meal containing 40% lupin meal was utilized very poorly by the shrimp.     

Replacement of Fish Meal with Soybean Meal,Alone or in Combination with Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles in Practical Diets for Pacific White Shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,Grown in a Clear‐Water Culture System

The objective of this study was to evaluate inclusion of distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) as partial replacement of commercial, solvent‐extracted soybean meal (SBM) in fish meal‐free diets for Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Aquaria connected to a recirculating biofiltration system were utilized to evaluate growth, survival, and feed conversion of shrimp during the 8‐wk feeding trial. Each 110‐L aquarium was stocked with 15 shrimp (mean individual weight 0.99 g) and fed one of five diets: a diet containing 20% fish meal (FM), which served as the control (Diet 1); a diet containing 0% FM and 52.5% SBM (Diet 2); and diets containing 0% FM and either 10, 20, or 30% DDGS as partial replacement of SBM (Diets 3, 4, and 5, respectively). Shrimp were fed according to a pre‐determined feeding chart five times daily (0730, 1030, 1330, 1630, and 1930 h) and there were three replicates per dietary treatment. The results from the feeding trial demonstrated that final weight, weight gain (g), and percentage weight gain were significantly higher (P < 0.05) for shrimp fed Diet 1 (10.96 g, 10.01 g, and 1051%, respectively) compared to shrimp fed diets containing DDGS; however, shrimp fed diets containing DDGS had similar (P > 0.05) final weight, weight gain (g), and percentage weight gain as shrimp fed a diet containing 0% FM and 52.5% SBM (Diet 2). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of shrimp fed Diet 1 (2.84) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) compared to shrimp fed any other diet. Survival (%) was not different (P > 0.05) among treatments and averaged 77.3% for the study. This study demonstrated that practical shrimp diets containing no FM had an adverse impact on growth performance of white shrimp when grown in a clear‐water system and that further research is needed to refine diet formulations when culturing shrimp in these systems when attempting to feed a diet without FM.     

Growth, feed utilization and carcass composition of catfish Clarias batrachus (Linn.) fingerlings fed on dried fish and chicken viscera incorporated diets

A 30‐day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate dried fish and chicken viscera, and a combination of oil cakes as complete substitutes for fish meal in the diet of catfsh Clarias batrachus (Linn.) fingerlings. Triplicate groups of fingerlings with a mean initial body weight of 2.0 g were each fed four isonitrogenous diets at 4% of wet body weight. Performance of the diets was judged on the basis of feed acceptability, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio. A significant increase (P < 0.05) in body weight gain, protein efficiency ratio and a decreased feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05) was observed in fish fed on fish meal, followed by fish viscera, chicken viscera and only plant protein incorporated diets. Although inferior to fish meal and dried fish viscera, growth and feed utilization responses of fingerlings fed on dried chicken viscera and plant protein diets were similar. The fish accumulated a significantly greater (P < 0.05) amount of fat (18.3%) in the body carcass when fish viscera was incorporated in the diet. The study revealed that satisfactory growth and feed utilization responses could be achieved through replacement of fish meal by dried fish and chicken viscera in the diet of catfish fingerlings.     

Incorporation of a mixture of meat and bone meal,poultry by‐product meal,blood meal and corn gluten meal as a replacement for fish meal in practical diets of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei at two dietary protein levels

A 6‐week feeding trial was carried out in glass tanks to determine the effects of partial replacement of fish meal (FM) with a combination of meat and bone meal (MBM), poultry by‐product meal (PBM), blood meal (BM) and corn gluten meal (CGM) in practical diets on the growth, nutrient digestibility and body composition of Pacific white shrimp. Six practical diets were formulated, containing two levels of crude protein (CP) (330 and 380 g kg^?1) and similar crude lipid (CL) levels. For the 330 g kg^?1 dietary protein level, 0, 357 and 714 g kg^?1 FM were replaced by the mixture in Diets 1–3, respectively; while 0, 514 and 784 g kg^?1 FM were replaced in Diets 4–6, respectively, for 380 g kg^?1 dietary protein level. White shrimp‐fed diets containing 330 g kg^?1 CP had significantly lower weight gain compared with white shrimp fed diets containing 380 g kg^?1 CP. Increasing the mixture and dietary protein level significantly raised the body ash content of white shrimp. White shrimp fed a low‐protein diet obtained better nutrient digestibility compared with those fed a high‐protein diet.     

Effects of replacing fish meal with soybean meal and peanut meal on growth,feed utilization and haemolymph indexes for juvenile white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei,Boone

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing fish meal (FM) with soybean meal (SBM) and peanut meal (PM) on growth, feed utilization, body composition and haemolymph indexes of juvenile white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei, Boone. Five diets were formulated: a control diet (FM30) containing 30% fish meal and four other diets (FM20, FM15, FM10 and FM5) in which protein from fish meal was substituted by protein from SBM and PM. The dietary amino acids of diets FM20, FM15, FM10 and FM5 were equal to those of the diet FM30 by adding crystalline amino acids (lysine and methionine). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 shrimps (initial weight = 0.48 g), each three times daily. The results indicated that shrimp fed the diets FM15, FM10 and FM5 had poor growth performance and feed utilization compared with shrimp fed the control diet. No difference was observed in feed intake, survival and body composition among dietary treatments. The plasma total cholesterol level of shrimp and the digestibility of dry matter, protein and energy contained in the diets decreased significantly with increasing PM and SBM inclusion levels. Results of this study suggested that fish meal can be reduced from 300 to 200 g kg^?1 when replaced by a mixture of SBM and PM.     

Evaluation of skate meal and sablefish viscera meal as fish meal replacement in diets for Pacific threadfin (Polydactylus sexfilis)

The objectives of this study were to investigate the nutritional value of skate meal and sablefish viscera meal from Alaskan fishery processing and to ascertain their suitability as replacements for pollock fishmeal in diets for Pacific threadfin (Polydactylus sexfilis). Test diets were made by replacing 50% or 100% protein from fish meal in the control diet with skate or sablefish viscera meal. The test diets and a commercial feed were each assigned to four tanks with eight juvenile fish (9.7 g) per tank in an indoor flow‐through culture system. After 6 weeks, Pacific threadfin fed skate meal‐50% and ‐100% substituted diets exhibited similar weight gains (374%; 369%) and feed conversion ratios (1.29; 1.27) as those fed the control diet (345%; 1.30 respectively) (P > 0.05). In contrast, Pacific threadfin fed the sablefish viscera meal‐50% substituted diet exhibited significantly lower weight gain (112%) than fish fed the control diets (P < 0.05). The fish fed the control diet and skate meal substituted diets also achieved significantly higher (P < 0.05) weight gain than those fed the commercial feed (288%). In conclusion, skate meal can fully replace the commercial fishmeal in a Pacific threadfin diet without adversely effecting growth performance.     

Marine co‐product meals as a substitute of fishmeal in diets for white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei improve growth,feed intake and muscle HUFA composition

Total replacement of fishmeal using marine co‐product meals in the diets for white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and its effects on growth, feed utilization and muscle HUFA and sterol composition were assessed in a 45‐day feeding trial with juvenile shrimp (0.32 g mean initial weight). Eight dietary treatments were tested: a control diet containing fishmeal (FM), a commercial shrimp diet as external reference and six diets where the FM in the control diet was totally replaced by pen shell scallop viscera (Pinna rugosa), squid viscera (Dosidicus gigas) or whole chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) meals, produced by two methods: (i) cooking followed by grinding and drying and (ii) grinding followed by drying. Survival in all treatments was above 92%, except in the commercial diet (77%). The growth response, feed utilization and chemical composition of shrimp varied among the treatments and were affected in different ways by the by‐products and the meals preparation process. Growth and feed intake were significantly higher in shrimp fed diets containing cooked‐dried squid and pen shell scallop viscera meals, and whole mackerel meal produced by grinding followed by drying. Muscle fatty acid profiles were improved for human consumption when these ingredients were used, compared with the diets containing FM.     

The evaluation of practical diets on a basis of digestible crude protein,lysine and methionine for Litopenaeus vannamei

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of replacing fish meal (FM) with blood meal (BM), poultry by‐product meal (PBM), meat and bone meal (MBM) and shrimp head meal (SHM), rapeseed meal (RM) and peanut meal (PM) on a digestible basis of crude protein and lysine and methionine in five practical diets for the Pacific white shrimp at the FM levels of 300, 250, 200, 150 and 100 g kg^?1 under laboratory conditions. Each of the five experimental diets was hand‐fed to four replicate tanks of shrimp with an average weight of 0.33 ± 0.03 g to satiation at each meal. The shrimp were fed three times a day over a six‐week period. The per cent weight gain of initial body weight (WG%) was significantly lower in shrimp fed 100 g kg^?1 FM diet, but the value for hepatosomatic index (HSI) and the level of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) tended to be higher in shrimp fed 100 g kg^?1 FM diet than those in shrimp fed other diets. The lowest value for feeding rate (FR) occurred for shrimp fed the basal diet and was significantly lower than that in shrimp fed the FM diets at 100–150 g kg^?1. Shrimp fed diets containing 200 g kg^?1 or lower FM had significantly lower feed utilization than those fed the 250 g kg^?1 FM diet and the basal diet. The protein efficiency ratio (PER) in the shrimp fed the basal diet was significantly higher than in the other FM diets. Decreasing the FM replacement level significantly reduced nutrient digestibility except in the cases of ash and gross energy, but it did not affect the survival, condition factor (CF), body composition, digestive enzyme activity or plasma transaminase activity. The results of the study indicate that feeding a diet formulated on a digestible basis and involving FM replacement with other protein sources at a greater replacement proportion will not produce a level of shrimp growth equal to that achieved by feeding the basal diet.     

Replacement of fish meal by meat and bone meal in practical diets for the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamai (Boone)

The use of meat and bone meal (MBM) was evaluated as a replacement for fish meal in a practical diet formulated to contain 41% protein and 8% lipid. Anchovy meal was replaced by 0%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% and 80% of MBM (diets 1–7) respectively. Healthy post larvae of Litopenaeus vannamei were reared in an indoor, semi‐closed recirculating system. Each dietary treatment was fed to triplicate groups of 40 shrimp per tank (260 L) arranged in a completely randomized design. The shrimp were hand‐fed to near‐satiation three times daily between 07:00 and 18:00 hours for 56 days. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in growth performance among shrimp fed diets 1–6. However, shrimp fed diet 7 had significantly lower (P<0.05) growth than those fed diet 2 or diet 4. Survival ranged from 95% to 100% and did not significantly (P>0.05) differ. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) and carcass composition of the shrimp were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by dietary treatments. No significant differences (P>0.05) in protein efficiency ratio (PER) were found among shrimp fed diets 1‐6. However, shrimp fed diet 7 had significantly lower (P<0.05) PER than those fed diet 1 or diet 4. Results showed that up to 60% of fish meal protein can be replaced by MBM with no adverse effects on growth, survival, FCR, PER and body composition of L. vannamei.     

Hydrolysed salmon meal as a replacement for salmon meal in practical diets for Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

A series of growth, feed stability and consumption trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of salmon by‐product in practical diets for Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. This included a salmon by‐product meal (Salmon meal: SM) and a silage hydrolysate (hydrolysed salmon meal: HSM). The basal diet containing 120 g/kg SM was incrementally replaced (0. 25, 50, 75, 100%) by HSM to produce five test diets used in two trials. A sixth diet was included which evaluated gelatin supplementation (trial 1) or pH neutralization (trial 2). In trial 1, each diet was produced using two processing conditions (laboratory extruded and formed with meat grinder) and offered to shrimp in a clear water system. The results demonstrate that up to 50% of the SM can be used to replace with HSM; however, further increases resulted in reduced performance of shrimp. The addition of gelatin reduced leaching but there was limited effect of processing on leaching. There were no detectible effects of pH adjustment of the diets. Results indicated that the growth performance of shrimp has not influenced by HSM up to 60 g/kg to replace 50% of the SM in practical diets; however, higher levels resulted in significant decrease in performance.     

Response of juvenile tench (Tinca tinca L.) fed practical diets with different protein contents and substitution levels of fish meal by soybean meal

A basal practical diet for juvenile tench (Tinca tinca) was formulated and elaborated to test several protein contents and substitution possibilities of fish meal (FM) by soybean meal (SBM) in a 90‐day trial with 5‐month‐old juveniles (30.54 mm TL, 0.30 g W). A factorial design included nine feeding treatments: three protein contents (50%, 40% or 30%) and three levels of replacement (0%, 25% or 45%) of FM protein by SBM protein. In addition, a commercial carp feed was used as reference. Final survival ranged from 98.2% to 99.4%. The 50% dietary protein with 0% or 25% replacement and 40% dietary protein with 25% replacement diets enabled higher growth (P < 0.05) and lower FCR (P < 0.05) than the rest of practical diets. Fish fed 50% dietary protein had similar growth than those fed carp feed (63.8% protein). Deformed fish averaged 1% for the practical diets and 87.6% for the carp feed. The basal practical diet has showed to be feasible and levels of 40–50% dietary protein with 25% replacement of FM protein by SBM protein can be recommended for juvenile tench aged 5–8 months.     

Growth,feed utilization and endocrine responses in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fed diets added poultry by‐product meal and blood meal in combination with poultry oil

The suitability of land animal by‐products (ABPs) in feed for Atlantic salmon postsmolts (initial weight 372 g) in sea water was studied in a feeding experiment, using poultry by‐product meal (PBM) and porcine blood meal (BM) as protein sources and poultry oil as fat source. Four extruded feeds were tested in a 2 * 2 factorial model, with or without ABP protein sources and with or without poultry oil. The control feed contained a mix of marine and plant ingredients. Initial feed intake was highest in the ABP protein‐based diets, whereas poultry oil had a weak opposite effect. No differences were seen in growth rate or body weight. Addition of PBM and BM led to increased FCR, and lower retention of crude protein and energy. This could be explained by lower digestibility of amino acids and crude protein, and a slightly lower energy level in these diets. Reduced igf1 mRNA levels in liver and muscle were seen in fish fed dietary ABP protein and oil. Despite lower protein digestibility of ABP protein, this study confirms the suitability of ABP protein and lipid in combination with plant ingredients in feed for Atlantic salmon growers.     

Replacement of Fishmeal with a Blend of Poultry Byproduct Meal and Soybean Meal in Diets for Largemouth Bass,Micropterus salmoides

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the potential of replacing fishmeal with poultry byproduct meal (PBM) and soybean meal in diets for largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides. A reference diet (C) contained 400 g/kg fishmeal, and 40 or 60% of the fishmeal was replaced with a blend of pet‐food‐grade PBM and soybean meal (diets PP1 and PP2) or a blend of feed‐grade PBM and soybean meal (diets PF1 and PF2). No significant differences were found in weight gain, nitrogen retention efficiency (NRE), condition factor, and body composition among fish fed diets PP1, PP2, PF1, and PF2. Feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were higher in fish fed diet PF1 than in fish fed diet PP1. No significant differences were found in weight gain, NRE, condition factor, and body composition between fish fed diet C and diets PP1, PP2, PF1, and PF2. The feed intake and FCR were lower in fish fed diet C than in fish fed diets PP2, PF1, and PF2. This study reveals that dietary fishmeal level for largemouth bass could be reduced to 160 g/kg by inclusion of PBM and soybean meal in combination.     

Replacement of fishmeal by soy protein concentrate with taurine supplementation in diets for golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus)

Two 7‐week feeding trials were conducted to evaluate the capacity of golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) to use soy protein concentrate (SPC) as a dietary fish meal substitute. In trial I, fish were fed with a control diet (C) containing 400 g kg^?1 fish meal and other four diets in which the fish meal in diet C was replaced by SPC at 20 (R20), 40 (R40), 60 (R60) and 80% (R80). In trial II, a 3 × 2 design was used, and 40 and 80% of the fish meal in diet C were replaced by SPC, with or without 5 g kg^?1 taurine supplementation (six diets, C + T, R40 + T, R80 + T, C, R40 and R80, were formulated). In trial I, no significant difference was found in the feed intake between feeding treatments. The weight gain and nitrogen retention efficiency (NRE) decreased, whereas the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and phosphorus retention efficiency (PRE) increased, with decreasing dietary levels of fish meal. No significant differences were found in the weight gain, FCR and NRE between fish fed diets C and R20, whereas fish fed diets C and R20 had higher weight gain than those fed diets R40, R60 and R80. In trial II, no significant differences were found in the feed intake, weight gain, FCR, NRE and PRE between fish fed diets C + T and C. No significant differences were found in the feed intake, weight gain and NRE between fish fed diets R40 and R40 + T or between fish fed diets R80 and R80 + T. At the end of trial II, no significant differences were found in the condition factor, hepatosomatic index and body composition between fish fed diets C and C + T, or between fish diets R40 and R40 + T, or between fish fed diets R80 and R80 + T, except that fish fed diet R40 had lower body protein content than that of fish fed diet R40 + T. The present study reveals that taurine supplementation can elevate fish meal replacement level by SPC in the golden pompano diets. Fish meal can be reduced from 400 to 320 g kg^?1, if fish meal is substituted by SPC without taurine supplementation, and can be further reduced to 240 g kg^?1, if fish meal is substituted by SPC with 5 g kg^?1 taurine supplementation.     

Replacement of by-catch fishmeal with dried chicken viscera meal in extruded feeds: effect on growth,nutrient utilisation and carcass composition of catfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clarias batrachus</Emphasis> (Linn.) fingerlings

An 84-day feeding trial was conducted to study the effect of replacing dietary fishmeal with dried chicken viscera meal (CVM) on the growth (net biomass gain, specific growth rate, SGR), feed acceptability, feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and carcass composition of Clarias batrachus fingerlings. Triplicate groups of fingerlings with mean initial body weight of 13.35 g were fed on six iso-nitrogenous and iso-lipidic diets. The control diet (CVM0) used marine by-catch fishmeal as the sole source of animal protein. In the other five diets (CVM100–CVM500), 20–100% of fishmeal was substituted by dried CVM at 20% increments. The highest body weight gain, SGR and PER, and the lowest FCR were observed in fish fed a diet containing 300–500 g CVM kg⁻¹. The fish accumulated increasing quantities of lipids and decreasing levels of ash in their carcasses with increasing levels of dietary CVM.     

Evaluation of dried fermented biomass as a feed ingredient in plant‐based practical diets for juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

Two growth trials were designed to evaluate the utilization of dried fermented biomass (DFB) in commercial type feed formulation for Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. In trial 1, four experimental diets were formulated to utilize increasing levels (0, 25, 50 and 100 g/kg) of spray‐dried fermented biomass (SDFB) as a replacement of fish meal (FM). Results indicated that SDFB can be utilized up to 50 g/kg as a substitution for FM without causing growth depression in shrimp. However, dietary SDFB supplementation at 100 g/kg significantly reduced the weight gain (WG) of shrimp and increased feed conversion ratio (FCR). This reduction in performance is likely due to palatability or nutrient imbalances of the feed. In trial 2, nine experimental diets were formulated with increasing levels (0, 20, 40, 60 and 120 g/kg) of spray‐dried (S) or granular (G) DFB to replace soy protein concentrate (SPC) or SPC + corn protein concentrate (CPC). This allowed the comparison between spray‐dried and ring‐dried products. Ring drying produced a granular product, reducing dust and increasing product particle size. Shrimp fed with diet containing 20 g/kg GDFB performed the best in terms of final mean weight, WG and FCR. Significantly reduced growth and increased FCR were observed in shrimp fed diets containing 60 and 120 g/kg SDFB. Lipid content of whole body was significantly reduced when GDFB was incorporated at 120 g/kg. No significant differences were detected in survival, protein retention efficiency as well as protein and ash contents of the whole shrimp. Results from analysis of covariance indicated that the processing method (covariant) had a significant effect on final mean weight, WG and FCR. In general, shrimp fed with diet containing granular product performed better as compared to those fed with diets utilizing spray‐dried product. GDFB can be utilized in the diets up to 120 g/kg in practical shrimp feeds as a substitute for SPC and CPC without compromising the growth of shrimp. However, a significant reduction in WG was observed in the diets containing 60 and 120 g/kg SDFB. The results in the current study demonstrate that processing changes to produce a granular product produced an improved feed ingredient for shrimp.     

Use of Porcine Meal in Plant‐based Practical Diets for Pacific White Shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei

Two growth trials were conducted to evaluate and confirm the efficacy of a porcine meal (PM) with high protein content (>90%) as an alternative feed ingredient in commercial‐type feed formulation for Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Six experimental diets were formulated for the two growth trials. The first five diets contained increasing levels (0, 1, 2, 4, and 6%) of PM as a replacement for soybean meal in a plant‐based diet with low inclusion level (6%) of fish meal (FM). The last experimental diet was produced utilizing 4.2% PM to completely replace FM. In Trial 1, shrimp (1.5 g initial mean weight, 20 shrimp/tank, n = 4) were offered test diets for 6 wk in a semirecirculation system. At the end of Trial 1, shrimp fed with the diet containing 6% PM exhibited significantly enhanced weight gain (WG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and survival compared to those fed with the diet devoid of FM. As survival was poor across all treatments and different densities could mask growth results the trial was repeated. In Trial 2, shrimp (0.85 g, 15 shrimp/tank, n = 4) were offered diets for 6 wk. Dietary supplementation of PM at 6% significantly improved WG, FCR, and apparent net protein retention in contrast with the treatment devoid of FM, confirming the same trends in Trial 1. No significant difference was detected in protein, lipid, moisture, and mineral profiles of whole‐body shrimp as well as survival across all the treatments. Results of this study indicate that PM is a good high protein source in shrimp feeds, which can be included up to 6% in the low FM‐based diet without compromising the growth of shrimp.     

Nutritional value of feed peas (Pisum sativum) in practical diet formulations for Litopenaeus vannamei

Dry peas of mixed Canadian prairie varieties which were commercially obtained and processed to provide a variety of meals were evaluated in practical shrimp feeds. Whole and de‐hulled peas were pin milled to produce raw flours. A portion of these meals were processed to produce whole extruded and de‐hulled extruded meals. Additionally, a portion of the whole pea meal was processed by infrared cooking to produce a micronized meal. The five meals were evaluated in practical diets for Litopenaeus vannamei under controlled laboratory conditions. The first experiment was designed to estimate apparent protein and energy availability of the various meals. Using a practical reference diet, the meals were substituted using a 70:30 ratio to produce the test diets. Based on contrasts, both extruding and micronizing the pea meals resulted in significant improvements in both apparent protein digestibility and apparent energy digestibility values. Apparent energy digestibility values for the various ingredients expressed as percentage ± SD were: whole raw, 72.3 ± 8.1; whole extruded, 86.0 ± 8.9; de‐hulled raw, 88.4 ± 4.4; de‐hulled extruded, 94.4 ± 10.0; whole micronized, 94.1 ± 10.2. To evaluate the response of shrimp to the diets containing pea meal, two 7‐week growth trials were conducted in the laboratory using a practical diet formulated to contain 360 g kg^?1 protein and 90 g kg^?1 lipid. In the first growth trial the shrimp had a mean initial weight of 0.66 g and six test diets were evaluated that included the basal diet and five diets for which the pea meals were included in the diet at 250 g kg^?1 dry weight replacing whole wheat. In the second growth trial the shrimp had a mean initial weight of 1.1 g and only the whole raw and whole extruded meals were evaluated at 50, 100 and 200 g kg^?1 inclusion in the diet. At the conclusion of the first growth trial weight gain ranged from 718 to 862% and at the conclusion of the second growth trial weight gain ranged from 394 to 502%, with no significant differences or discernible trends observed as a result of the various dietary treatments. Based on the observed results, the continued evaluation of feed peas as a potential ingredient of shrimp feeds is warranted. Additionally, if feed peas are suitably priced, commercial producers are encouraged to evaluate feed peas as an alternative protein and energy source.