Mycotoxins are naturally occurring, toxic chemical compounds produced by molds. When they infect aquaculture feeds and feed ingredients, mycotoxins can affect growth, reproduction and immunity in fish.
A study compared the effects of two forms of methionine supplemented at different levels in feeds for Pacific white shrimp. Test diets containing methionine bound in soy protein had less leaching of methionine than the diets containing crystalline methionine.
The authors evaluated graded substitution of fish oil with soybean oil in feeds for juvenile cobia and found a substantial amount of dietary fish oil can be spared without sacrificing production performance.
A recent study in Brazil tested the efficacy of nine commercial feed attractants for Litopenaeus vannamei. Condensed fish-soluble protein, an amino acid complex with digested bivalve mollusk, and whole squid protein hydrolysate stimulated the highest feeding responses.
The aquaculture industry has significantly reduced fishmeal levels in feeds for major farmed species. To further reduce fishmeal use, new research approaches are essential.
There is increasing evidence that natural feed additives can have beneficial effects on aquaculture animals by supporting well-balanced gut microflora and improving gut health.
Recent research is demonstrating that biofloc-based proteins are suitable replacements for fishmeal in aquaculture diets. Since bioflocs can be produced while treating aquaculture effluents, a waste product can be converted into a valuable resource.
The authors conducted a study to determine how reducing the protein content of a diet would affect the growth performance of L. vannamei reared in an experimental microbial floc culture system.
A study in Brazil indicated that mutton snappers, a high-value species that readily accepts artificial food, can grow well on diets containing high-quality plant proteins such as soy protein concentrate.
Nutritious and cost-effective aquafeeds can be formulated using high levels of plant feedstuffs. However, this may increase the risk of exposure to mycotoxins.
In studies, the physical and sensory qualities of fillets from tilapia fed diets with 100 percent substitution of fish oil with various palm oil fractions were generally not affected by the change of dietary oil source.
Animal byproducts like blood meal, meat and bone meal and other rendered products are good sources of cholesterol for use in aquaculture feed.
A survey found that many large retailers see the sustainable feed issue as a major challenge. Sustainable Fisheries Partnership recommends greater visibility for the entire supply chain and more industrywide policies.
Fixed microbial communities grown as periphyton on immersed substrates present advantages in terms of pond productivity and carbon and nutrient absorption from water. Periphyton can reduce feed inputs as well as increase growth and survival rates in shrimp.
Dietary lipids are important sources of energy and the essential fatty acids needed by fish for growth and development.
The substitution of plant proteins and oils for fishmeal and fish oil can result in minimal changes to proximate compositions in various fish. However, the muscle fatty acid composition usually reflects that of the diet.