Processing of meat meal for utilisation in aquaculture diets

Summary

A protein enriched, reduced ash meat meal was evaluated for potential application in aquaculture diets. In the first phase of the study, inclusion at up to 50% within a diet of rainbow trout showed no signficant growth penatly. To validate this, two commercial growth trials were undertaken in freshwater and saltwater systems. Food conversion rates, growth factors and environmental parameters were not compromised with the meat meal substituting for 30% of the protein meal content of the diet. Sensory evaluation of the flesh of the fish failed to identify any negative taste, odour and other consumer factors. It was concluded that the modified meat meal was very suitable for application to trout diets from a nutritive and product quality perspective.