Size-fractionated fish hydrolysate as feed ingredient for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed high plant protein diets. II. Flesh quality, absorption, retention and fillet levels of taurine and anserine

In the work to find replacement for fish meal in feed for fish, the inclusion of plant protein sources at high dietary level is an important issue. The present experiment was carried out to reveal how different feed ingredients affected the eating quality of the grown up fish with focus on nitrogen compounds as amino acids, taurine and anserine. Six experimental diets were fed to rainbow trout in triplicates for 90 d. All diets were composed to be equal in protein, lipid, energy and lysine. Three levels of a mixture of plant sources (full fat soy, extracted soy, soy protein concentrate, corn gluten) constituting 57.2%, 73.9% and 90.6% of total dietary protein were used. A small amount of fish meal was added in 5 diets constituting 9.4% of total protein. A fish hydrolysate that was high in free amino acids, taurine and anserine was tested at 16% and 32% dietary inclusion of total protein. Two other diets contained the same level of protein from the same hydrolysate that was ultra filtrated to remove low molecular weight compounds. Digestibility of taurine and anserine was found to be close to 99% for all groups, except for the group containing high level of plant sources. The levels of taurine in whole trout and fillets decreased during the feed experiment, but were about the same for all groups at the end of the feeding experiment and independent of dietary levels. The level of anserine in fish and fillets was equal from start to end of the experiment and independent of dietary inclusion. Taurine and anserine therefore seem to be homeostatic regulated in trout and independent on dietary levels. Amino acid content in fish and fillet was also equal for all groups and independent of protein sources used in the diets. The chemical composition showed higher lipid and dry matter levels in fish and fillet in fish that grew the fastest. In conclusion, plant protein sources may be included in diets for trout at high levels without affecting the eating quality as evaluated by amino acids, taurine and anserine levels.