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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Orono, Maine » National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #287144
Title: Growth of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar fed diets containing barley protein concentrate

Author
item Burr, Gary
item Wolters, William
item Barrows, Frederic

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Aquaculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/26/2013
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Worldwide fishmeal production had reached a maximum sustained level while demand has been increasing. Also, feed ingredients from more environmentally friendly sources, such as waste products from other industries (microalgae from carbon capture projects) need to be found. Scientists at the National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center in Franklin, ME evaluated barley protein concentrate as a protein source for Atlantic salmon. In previous digestibility studies barley protein concentrate was found to be a good candidate for a feed ingredient for Atlantic salmon. Our results indicate that the salmon fed barley protein concentrate had similar growth and performance to salmon fed a fish meal diet. If the ingredient cost is lower than the cost of fish meal, then it would suitable for inclusion in the diets of Atlantic salmon.

Technical Abstract: Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is an important cultured carnivorous species that in the past has not tolerated high levels of most plant protein feed ingredients in the diet. In order to increase efficiency, sustainability and production to meet global demand, new sources of protein must be incorporated into aquafeeds. A 16-week feeding trial was conducted at the National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center (Franklin, ME) with juvenile Atlantic salmon (123 g/fish initial weight) to determine the effects of adding either 11 or 22% barley protein concentrate to the diet. The fish were stocked into twelve 0.264 m3 tanks, providing 40 fish per tank with an average density of 18.55 kg/m3. Temperature was maintained at ~12°C during the 16 week study. There were no significant differences in specific growth rate, feed conversion, weight gain and proximate composition among any of the treatment groups. Salmon fed the diet containing 22% barley protein concentrate, however, had significantly greater energy retention (34%) compared to the fish fed the other diets (23-28%). The results of this study indicate that barley protein concentrate is an acceptable feed ingredient for Atlantic salmon.