Supplementation of plant‐based diets for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) with macro‐minerals and inositol

Replacement of fish meal with plant products in aquafeeds results in the elimination of dietary compounds which may be important for optimal growth and physiology. A study was conducted to determine if supplementation with macro‐minerals and/or inositol would improve performance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed a plant‐based diet. Four iso‐caloric and iso‐nitrogenous diets (40 g kg^?1 protein and 15 g kg^?1 lipid) were formulated and consisted of a fish meal‐based control diet (control) and three plant‐based experimental diets. Plant‐based diets were supplemented with either macro‐minerals and inositol (+MM+I), no macro‐minerals with inositol (?MM+I), and no macro‐minerals and no inositol (?MM?I). Sodium chloride, potassium chloride and magnesium oxide were the sources used in the macro‐mineral premix. There was no effect of diet on survival, but there was an effect of diet on weight gain, FCR, feed intake, HSI and nutrient retentions. Significant liver pathology was observed in trout fed plant‐based diets without MM supplementation. Supplementation of MM and inositol significantly improved weight gain of trout fed a plant‐based diet. Supplementation of MM and/or inositol also improved PRE and ERE. This study demonstrates the importance of supplementing these nutrients to trout fed fish meal free diets.