From waste to feed: utilisation of defatted microalgae from biofuel production as an alternative protein source in Asian sea bass (Lates calcarifer) diet
摘要
Abundant defatted microalgae (DM) generated from biofuel production is indeed a common challenge that needs to be addressed. The present study evaluates the potential of DM from biofuel production as an alternative ingredient to replace fishmeal (FM) in the Asian sea bass diet. The effects of DM on growth performance, feed utilisation, body composition, blood parameters, and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated after an 80-day feeding trial. We designed four experimental diets to be isonitrogenous (44% protein) and isolipidic (14% lipid). The control diet contains 0% DM, while the other three contain 10%, 20%, and 30% DM to replace FM. Overall, the inclusion of different levels of DM did not alter the final body weight, final length, weight gain, SGR, and HSI of the fish, except for FCR and CF. Fish fed with 30% DM (1.30) have a significantly lower FCR value than the control diet (1.50). In addition, fish fed with 30% DM resulted in a significantly higher CF (1.51) value than other treatments. Experimental diets significantly affected the final whole-body composition of fish. The protein content of body composition reduced significantly as the inclusion of DM increased in the diet. On the contrary, the lipid content of body composition increased as DM levels increased in the diet. For blood parameters, the inclusion of DM significantly affects MCV, WBC, and platelets in the experimental fish. We detected no significant difference in the total antioxidant capacity among the treatments. In conclusion, 30% of DM was suggested as an alternative to FM in the Asian sea bass diet.