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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Aquatic Animal Health Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #411107
Research Project: Integrated Research to Improve Aquatic Animal Health in Warmwater Aquaculture

Location: Aquatic Animal Health Research

Title: Partial replacement of fishmeal with soy-based proteins in cultured largemouth bass

Author
item SEMLA, JAMISON - Auburn University
item VUGLAR, BRENT - Auburn University
item Lafrentz, Benjamin
item DAVIS, DONALD - Auburn University
item BUTTS, IAN - Auburn University
item BRUCE, TIMOTHY - Auburn University

Submitted to: Fish Farming News
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/12/2023
Publication Date: 12/14/2023
Citation: Semla, J.L., Vuglar, B.M., Lafrentz, B.R., Davis, D.A., Butts, I.A., Bruce, T.J. 2023. Partial replacement of fishmeal with soy-based proteins in cultured largemouth bass. Fish Farming News. 2:2-3.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Over the past decade, largemouth bass has become a highly desired and favored freshwater species for aquaculture production. This is due to its fast growth rates, short rearing cycles, and exquisite meat fillets. In this research the growth performance of cultured Florida largemouth bass fingerlings fed differing diets in recirculating aquaculture systems were evaluated. Menhaden fishmeal-based protein was partially replaced with different soy process variants, including a soybean meal, a fermented soybean meal, and a commercial soy protein concentrate. The fish were fed the experimental diets and a basal (control) diet to apparent satiation daily across four replicate tanks for fourteen weeks. Every two weeks, growth performance was assessed, and at the completion of the trial, fish were sampled for immune gene expression in the intestine and will be assessed for whole-body proximate composition. The feeding trial findings demonstrate the suitability of these ingredients in largemouth bass diets as fish fed all diets performed similarly. Subsequent research will examine histological changes of the gastrointestinal tract and susceptibility of bass to bacterial pathogens following the feeding of the soy-based diets. This research will provide knowledge needed to develop a cost-effective and sustainable direction for culturing largemouth bass with renewable resources through plant-based ingredients.