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Use of Soy Products Reduces Tilapia Dietary Costs
Research conducted at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore has revealed that substituting fish meal and fish oil with soybean meal and soybean oil in tilapia diets can be both effective and economically beneficial. Three trials were carried out under the support of the Maryland State Soybean Committee, and the findings suggest that diets containing 2% soybean oil did not significantly affect the growth performance or feed conversion rate of tilapia.
Interestingly, the study found that high-oil diets—whether from fish oil or soybean oil—did not show significant differences in fish performance. However, when fish were fed diets with high levels of fish oil, their performance dropped notably. This indicates that while fish oil has been traditionally used as a key ingredient in aquaculture, its overuse may not be ideal.
For many years, fishmeal and fish oil have been the go-to sources of high-quality protein for fish feed. However, due to rising costs and limited availability, scientists and industry professionals are now exploring alternative, more affordable options. Soybean products, including soybean meal and soybean oil, are emerging as promising substitutes.
The research highlights that soybean oil is rich in linoleic acid, which is essential for tilapia growth, making it a better fit than fish oil, which is higher in linolenic acid. Additionally, soybean oil is more resistant to oxidation, reducing the risk of rancidity and potential health issues caused by oxidized fats in fish diets.
Moreover, using soybean oil can lower feed costs, making it an attractive option for farmers. The study aimed to test soybean meal as the primary protein source in extruded feeds, while using fish oil as the main fat source in control diets. Three replicate groups of 10-day-old hybrid tilapia, each weighing around 25 grams, were observed over 10 weeks. Some groups were fed diets with either 14.1% soybean oil or fish oil, while others received the standard diet.
Results showed that there was no significant difference in performance among fish fed diets with 2% soybean oil. However, those on high-fish oil diets performed worse. These findings align with previous studies, suggesting that excessive linolenic acid from fish oil can hinder tilapia growth.
Dr. Steven G. Hughes from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore emphasized that while further analysis of carcass composition is needed, it’s reasonable to recommend limiting fish oil in tilapia feed to below 5%. He also noted another study showing that tilapia raised on plant-based proteins had fillets with flavors comparable to those from fish fed traditional fish meal-based diets. This supports the growing potential of soy-based feeds in sustainable aquaculture.