Evaluation of Peanut Meal as an Alternative Dietary Protein Source for Channel Catfish

Authors: LI, MENGHE - Mississippi State University; LUCAS, PENELOPE - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: North American Journal of Aquaculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/12/2016
Publication Date: 1/1/2017
Citation: Li, M., Lucas, P. 2017. Evaluation of Peanut Meal as an Alternative Dietary Protein Source for Channel Catfish. North American Journal of Aquaculture. 79(1):95-99.

Interpretive Summary: A major portion of protein in commercial feeds for channel catfish in the southeastern United States is supplied by soybean meal and to a lesser extent by cottonseed meal. The use of cottonseed meal has provided considerable savings on feed cost in catfish production because it is usually less expensive on an equal protein basis than soybean meal. However, cotton production in the United States has declined in recent years, resulting in less cottonseed meal available for use in animal feeds. Peanut meal is another alternative protein source that may be used to replace soybean meal or cottonseed meal in catfish feeds. Recently, there is increasing interest in growing peanuts as an alternative crop in the Southeast, which may lead to more peanut meal being available for use in animal feeds. Peanut meal, which is the residue after solvent extraction of whole shelled peanuts, contains about 47% crude protein, similar to that in solvent extracted, dehulled soybean meal (47.8% protein), and its protein digestibility is also similar to that of soybean meal for channel catfish. However, peanut meal contains less lysine than soybean meal. Its lysine availability is slightly lower than soybean meal, but higher than cottonseed meal. Similar to cottonseed meal, lysine deficiency in peanut meal can be compensated by using synthetic lysine supplementation in channel catfish diets. Results from this study demonstrate that at least 25% peanut meal can be used to replace cottonseed meal and soybean meal in channel catfish diets without adverse effects on fish growth, feed efficiency, and body composition. Peanut meal can be used as an alternative protein source in channel catfish diets when it is available and is competitively priced against soybean meal and cottonseed meal. Further studies are needed to evaluate peanut meal in diets for pond-raised channel catfish.

Technical Abstract: Use of peanut meal as an alternative protein source in diets for channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus was evaluated in a 9-week study under controlled laboratory conditions. Five practical diets (28% crude protein and 6% crude lipid) were formulated to contain 0, 10, 15, 20, and 25% peanut meal as a replacement for cottonseed meal and soybean meal in the control diet. The control diet was a plant-based diet containing principally soybean meal (25%), cottonseed meal (20%), corn (20%), and corn germ meal (20%). All diets met or exceeded all known nutrient requirements of channel catfish. Twenty channel catfish fingerlings (mean initial weight: 12.8 g/fish) were stocked into 25 water flow-through glass aquaria (110 L). The fish were fed once daily to apparent satiation. Among dietary treatments, there were no significant differences in feed consumption, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and survival, and no differences in muscle protein, fat, or moisture levels. The results demonstrate up to 25% peanut meal can be used as a protein source alternative to cottonseed meal or soybean meal in Channel Catfish diets without adversely affecting growth, feed efficiency, and body composition.