Friday, March 11, 2011

Plant proteins in feed

The composition of feed affects the growth and health of fish. Consequently, the optimal composition of the protein component of the feed is essential in order to ensure that farmed fish keep healthy, and grow and develop normally. Plant proteins are an alternative protein source to fish meal in feed for farmed fish.

The source of raw material affects feed uptake compared to fish meal, most plant raw material generally contains little protein and high levels of carbohydrate, although there are exceptions. Soya, beans, peas and gluten from wheat and maize have relatively high protein content, making them good alternative sources of protein in feed for farmed fish.  

Salmon which are predominantly fed plant proteins eat less than salmon which receive fish meal as a source of protein. Research at NIFES has shown that if diets based on plant protein have the same amino acid profile as fish meal-based diets and are given a small addition of hydrolysed squid, hydrolysed fish protein and / or krill meal to improve the taste, the salmon’s feed intake is improved. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Aquaculturists, published and supported by the International Aquafeed Magazine from Perendale Publishers.

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