Evaluation of Plant and Animal Protein Sources as Partial or Total Replacement of Fish Meal in Diets for Nile Tilapia Fry and Juvenile Stages

Abstract

Two feeding trials were conducted in a closed system with Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fry (mean weight, 0.10 g; experiment 1) and juveniles (mean weight, 2.84 g; experiment 2) to examine the effects of total replacement of fish meal (FM), with and without supplementation of DL-methionine (Met) and L-lysine (Lys), by plant protein sources. In experiment 1, fry were fed nine isoenergetic (available energy [AE] = 4.0 kcal/g of diet) and isoproteic (40% protein as fed basis) practical diets containing protein primarily from soybean meal (SBM), with and without essential Met and Lys. After 5 weeks, final individual weight (FW; g/fish) and percent weight gain (PWG) of fry fed diet 1 (control with 20% FM) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with fry fed all other diets, while fry fed diet 9 containing 46% SBM and 22% feed-grade poultry by-product meal PBM) was significantly higher than all other diets (diets 2-8). Quantity of diet fed and percent survival did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) among all diets. In experiment 2, juveniles were fed six isoenergetic (AE = 4.0 kcal/g of diet) and isoproteic (35% protein as fed basis) practical diets containing protein primarily from SBM, soybean protein concentrate (SPC), feed-grade PBM, or combinations of those. After 7 weeks, mean FW, PWG, and amount of diet fed for fish fed diets 1 (control with 20% FM) and 6 (with 20% SPC and 20% PBM) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared with juveniles fed all other diets. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was similar among treatments, but fish fed diet 5 (with 36% SPC and 0% FM) recorded the highest FCR value. Likewise, protein efficiency ratio (PER) was similar among treatments; however, PER in juveniles fed diets 3 (with 52% SBM and 0% FM) and 5 were significantly lower than in fish fed all other diets. Overall, no significant (P > 0.05) difference was found in percent survival, which averaged 92.6% among all diets fed. These data suggest that Nile tilapia fry cannot utilize diets containing high levels (>75%) of SBM when no animal protein ingredient is added, even with supplemental Met and Lys. However, a diet containing 20% SPC and 20% feed-grade PBM appears to be suitable for juvenile Nile tilapia, which may help reduce diet costs and allow for sustainable production.

Evaluation of IMTA-produced seaweeds (Gracilaria, Porphyra, and Ulva) as dietary ingredients in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L., juveniles. Effects on growth performance and gut histology

“…Several studies evaluated alternative dietary protein sources for Nile tilapia (O. niloticus), such as plant proteins (El-Saidy and Gaber 2003;Fiogbé et al 2004;Azaza et al 2009;Kumar et al 2012) or animal proteins (El-Sayed 1998; Thompson et al 2012). However, not many studies focused on the use of seaweeds as a potential protein source for this important finfish species (Marinho et al 2013;Stadtlander et al 2013).…”

Bio‐Ag reutilization of distiller's dried grains with solubles ( DDGS ) as a substrate for black soldier fly larvae, Hermetia illucens , along with poultry by‐product meal and soybean meal, as total replacement of fish meal in diets for Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

“…, ; Thompson et al . ). Interestingly, a negative interaction between dietary amino acid and enzyme supplementation was clearly indicated ( P = 0.05–0.1) in almost all the whole‐body amino acid results, while the negative interaction between histidine and enzyme supplementation was highly significant ( P = 0.03).…”

“…Thompson et al . () found that tilapia juveniles fed a diet containing 200 g kg −1 FM had higher growth rates than fish fed a diet containing 100 g kg −1 FM. Therefore, the best growth in juvenile Nile tilapia occurs when fish are fed a diet containing 200 g kg −1 FM.…”

“…Thompson et al . () reported that PBM is high in protein (570 g kg −1 ), contains a favourable profile of essential amino acids with high availability, and its lower price makes it an ideal candidate for replacing FM in aquafeeds. When combined with alternative protein sources, PBM has been shown to completely replace FM in juvenile tilapia diets without adverse effects on growth.…”

“…Thompson et al . () reported that Nile tilapia fed a diet containing 20% soy protein concentrate (SPC) and 20% feed‐grade PBM had similar growth as fish fed a diet containing 20% FM. However, the quality of PBM varies considerably, which may cause a deficiency in one or more essential amino acids (Rawles et al .…”