| Abstract: | Abstract A catfish feed was extruded to determine how particle size, moisture content and screw speed affected the pellet durability, water stability index, and buoyancy. Increasing moisture content from 250 to 300 g/kg required less die pressure, specific mechanical energy and product temperature to produce durable pellets that were stable in water. Increasing screw speed from 200 to 400 rpm also lowered die pressure, due to a lower filled length of the extruder screw channels, but increased specific mechanical energy and product temperature; the resulting pellets had a lower apparent bulk density, but a higher degree of starch gelatinization and water stability index. Reducing particle size from 1200 to 700 m decreased die pressure and apparent bulk density, but increased product temperature, degree of starch gelatinization, pellet durability index and water stability index. |
