New physicochemical and technological approach for high ouality and sustainable fish feed production (Exipro) (39189)

Aquaculture is the globally fastest growing food producing sector, and extruded fish feed is the largest expenditure in the production of carnivorous fish. 
The quality of the different protein raw materials used in fish feed varies considerably, and even small differences in the nutritional quality can have large effects on fish performance, their degree of feed utilization and consequently the environment.

The production of high quality, nutrient-dense fish feed requires that the dietary matrix is extruded into pellets. However, the extrusion process can alter and deteriorate the nutritional quality of proteins. Currently, the extrusion process is based entirely on empirical learning, and little is known about the chemical reactions and physical processes that take place inside the extruder, i.e., the extruder is largely a ‘Black Box’. In addition, little is known about concomitant effects on feed utilization.

The aim of Exipro is to optimize the extrusion process by clarifying the changes and damages on different protein ingredients that happen in the extruder, and to use the knowledge to improve the quality of fish feed.

Hence, the objectives of the project are to:
- Determine the effects of extrusion on the physicochemical and chemical properties of proteins in fish feed
- Determine the effects of these changes on fish growth performance, metabolism, protein retention, and nitrogen excretion
- Develop a generic extrusion optimization tool for different protein ingredients.

Partners
DTU Aqua, National Institute of Aquatic Resources
University of Copenhagen, Denmark (coordinator)
Aarhus University, Denmark
BioMar, Denmark

Funding
The project is funded by Innovation Fund Denmark.

Research area: Aquaculture