Bigheaded carp-based meal as a sustainable and natural source of methionine in feed for ecological and organic poultry production

Authors: UPADHYAYA, INDU - University Of Arkansas; ARSI, KOMALA - University Of Arkansas; FANATICO, ANNE - University Of Arkansas; WAGLE, BASANTA - University Of Arkansas; SHRESTHA, SANDIP - University Of Arkansas; UPADHYAY, ABHINAV - University Of Arkansas; COON, CRAIG - University Of Arkansas; SCHLUMBOHM, MICHAEL - University Of Arkansas; TRUSHENSKI, JESSE - University Of Arkansas; Donoghue, Ann - Annie; OWENS-HANNING, CASEY - University Of Arkansas; RIAZ, M - Texas A&M University; FARNELL, MORGAN - Texas A&M Agrilife; DONOGHUE, DAN - University Of Arkansas

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Poultry Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/21/2019
Publication Date: 12/1/2019
Citation: Upadhyaya, I., Arsi, K., Fanatico, A., Wagle, B.R., Shrestha, S., Upadhyay, A., Coon, C.N., Schlumbohm, M., Trushenski, J., Donoghue, A.M., Owens-Hanning, C., Riaz, M.N., Farnell, M.B., Donoghue, D.J. 2019. Bigheaded carp-based meal as a sustainable and natural source of methionine in feed for ecological and organic poultry production. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 28(4):1131-1142. https://doi.org/10.3382/japr/pfz077.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3382/japr/pfz077

Interpretive Summary: In certified organic programs, synthetic amino acids are generally prohibited in livestock and poultry feeding. However, methionine is a limiting amino acid in poultry production. Methionine (MET) is a sulfur containing essential amino acid which is critical for physiological functions in poultry. Synthetic MET is typically used in commercial poultry diets in the U.S., and is provided in the form of DL- Methionine or 2-hydroxy-4(methylthio) butanoic acid (hydroxyl analogue free acid). Synthetic methionine is the only synthetic amino acid allowed in organic poultry feed and it has been a challenge to find a natural, cost effective source for producers. Fish meal is an excellent source of methionine and an allowable natural substance under the NOP livestock rule. However, there are critical issues regarding cost, sustainable acquisition without depleting ocean stocks, and the use of synthetic ethoxyquin as a preservative. This study evaluated a unique source of fish meal, bigheaded carp, an invasive fish species as a sustainable source of methionine for organic poultry. A carp-based meal (CBM) was prepared using dry extrusion, and proximate analysis and nutritional analyses were conducted. The digestible amino acids and true metabolizable energy (TMEn) of the CBM were determined using a colony of cecetomized adult roosters. The gross energy and protein content of the feces were determined to calculate the digestibility of amino acids and TMEn for feed formulation. Starter and grower diets were formulated with CBM without synthetic MET and tested in a broiler feeding trial. Results from this study indicate that invasive bigheaded carp can be harvested and dry extruded into a novel meal, providing not only a natural and sustainable source of MET, but also a means to conserve the damaged aquatic ecosystems in the U.S.

Technical Abstract: High quality protein feeds are needed in ecological and organic poultry production. Feeds that are rich in methionine (MET) are particularly important because synthetic amino acids are generally prohibited in organic livestock production. Bigheaded carp present an opportunity as feed because they are an invasive fish species that are high in protein and MET. A carp-based meal (CBM) was prepared using dry extrusion, and proximate analysis and nutritional analyses were conducted. The digestible amino acids and true metabolizable energy (TMEn) of the CBM were determined using a colony of cecetomized adult roosters. The gross energy and protein content of the feces were determined to calculate the digestibility of amino acids and TMEn for feed formulation. Starter and grower diets were formulated with CBM without synthetic MET and tested in a broiler feeding trial. Day-old chicks were randomly assigned to pens of 30 chicks belonging to one of two treatments (CBM or Control containing synthetic MET), with 8 replications. Body weights, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) for starter (0-21 d), grower (22-42 d), and overall periods (0-42 d) were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The weight gains, feed intake and FCR did not differ between treatments (P>0.05) for the overall period (0-42d). The results indicate that invasive bigheaded carp can be harvested and dry extruded into a novel meal, providing not only a natural and sustainable source of MET, but also an environmental service for damaged aquatic ecosystems in the U.S.