Immobilized Enzyme Additive Package for Plant-Based Finfish Aquaculture Feed

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT: A cost-effective, nutritious feed that minimally impacts the surrounding environment is critical to the profitability of a commercial aquaculture operations. As common sources of protein, such as fishmeal and fish processing byproducts, are becoming limited and more expensive to use, feed producers have turned to plant-based proteins. Plant-based feeds however, come with their own complications, including the need for supplementation with proteins, vitamins and amino acids needed for fish survival and growth, and the requirement to remove natural anti-nutritional factors during processing. For the proposed project Guild BioSciences will utilize our patented immobilized enzyme platform to develop an enzyme-based additive for soybean meal feeds that 1) can maintain effectiveness after being blended into pelleted feed at the point of manufacture, 2) removes anti-nutritional factors related to soybean meal after the feed has been ingested, 3) does not adversely affect the health of the fish, and 4) does not adversely affect the aquaculture environment. Feasibility of this effort will be proven through production and in vitro validation of the enzyme-based additive package’s functionality and a demonstration of in vivo efficacy of a fully formulated feed containing the additive package using rainbow trout.SUMMARY OF ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The proposed additive package will augment the quality of current processed soybean meal containing aquafeeds, and is expected to improve the production performance, digestibility, and physiological response of fish. The improved digestibility will lead to less aquatic pollution as most of the nutrients will now be utilized by the fish instead of excreted. On a cost per unit protein basis the additive will make soybean meal a more attractive protein source than fishmeal for most farmed finfish. Completion of the proposed project will enlarge the portfolio of feed ingredients available to the feed industry and promote U.S. grown soy.