REPLACEMENT OF FISHMEAL BY FISH PROTEIN HYDROLYSATE IN FEED FOR POST-LARVAL SHRIMP Litopenaeus vannamei  

After filleting of tilapia, the material remaining is discarded and this waste represents about 70% of fish body volume, corresponding to carcass and viscera. These leftovers are important sources of proteins that can be used as feed in aquaculture industry byproducing protein hydrolysates. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the zootechnical performance of Litopenaeus vannamei fed diets formulated with increasing replacement of fishmeal by two fish protein hydrolysates produced under different hydrolysis times.

Tilapia residues (head, skin, carcass and trimmings) from processing industries were used for FPH production. Two protein hydrolysates were produced, with one (FPH1) and two (FPH2) hours of hydrolysis. The nutritional composition of the hydrolysates showed desirable levels of crude protein (48%) and essential amino acids. Electrophoresis revealed peptides ranging from 10 to 250 kDa. The hydrolysates were incorporated separately in experimental diets in the proportions of 0, 10, 20 and 30%, totalizing 7 diets named 0% (control), H110%, H120%, H130%, H210%, H220%, and H230%. A 45-day feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the zootechnical performance of post-larvae fed these diets.

The regression analysis for final weight indicated the best replacement levels of 1.075% for FPH1 and 15% for FPH2. For survival, the best levels were 11% of FPH1 and 21.5% of FPH2. It can be concluded that the replacement of fishmeal by fish hydrolysate with hydrolysis time of two hours (FPH2) at levels up to 15% promotes better growth of postlarvae of L. vannamei without negatively affecting their survival.