HPLC and amino acids uptake patterns in fish fed plant-based protein (38803)

One of the issues of the rapidly growing aquaculture sector is to find fish meal substitutes. The main focus has been on plant proteins as a substitute for fish meal in the diet formulation. However, significant incorporation of plant proteins in the fish diet often results in reduced growth and/or impaired feed efficiency. Recent trials performed at our lab have shown that the profile of amino acid uptake (timeline) varies between rainbow trout fed plant based diet and fish meal diet. This difference in amino acid availability might well influence the protein synthesis and could add to the explanation of reduced performance of fish fed plant based diets and also the observed increased ammonia excretion.

Following these initial observations made in 2011 the project will perform a series of experiments to further examine how and why amino acid uptake patterns differ. Correlations between amino acid profile in the diet and amino acid in the blood following feeding will be made for different plant protein sources and added crystalline amino acids.

The concomitant effects on liver enzyme activity and protein synthesis will be examined and relevant indicators for protein synthesis (i.e. growth) hopefully determined. Specific digestibility and nitrogen excretion studies as well as traditional growth studies will be performed to support the findings.

The project is coordinated by DTU Aqua.

Research area: Aquaculture