ARS | Publication request: Replacement of fish meal in juvenile channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, diets using a yeast-derived protein source

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 1, 2010
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: We examined the effects of a yeast-derived protein source (NuPro) as a replacement for menhaden fish meal on weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), food conversion ratio (FCR), whole-body composition, and disease resistance in juvenile channel catfish. NuPro replaced 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% of the fish meal provided in the control diet in five replicate tanks. Diets were fed to channel catfish (initial weight 9.9 ' 0.2 g/fish) for nine weeks; fish were sampled for whole-body composition and then challenged with the bacterium Edwardsiella ictaluri for three weeks. Weight gain, specific growth rate, and FCR were negatively affected (P < 0.01) when NuPro replaced 100% of the fish meal in the diet. The amount of whole-body fat decreased (P < 0.05) when NuPro replaced 60% or more of the fish meal in the diet. Regardless of the amount of NuPro added, survival after challenge with E. ictaluri was similar among treatments. Results indicate that up to 80% of the fish meal protein can be replaced by NuPro without negatively affecting weight gain or FCR in tank raised juvenile channel catfish. The results also show that NuPro does not appear to negatively affect disease susceptibility of catfish challenged with E. ictaluri. The yeast-derived protein source used in this study is a sustainable protein alternative that could be used as a partial replacement for fish meal in juvenile channel catfish diets.