2023
Evaluation of soy ingredients in juvenile largemouth bass culture
Contributor/Checkoff:
Category:
Export/Trade
Keywords:
Aquaculture
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Tim Bruce, Auburn University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Ian Butts, Auburn University
Project Code:
44216
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
Brief Project Summary:
Using soy protein as a fishmeal replacement in domestic aquaculture allows fish producers to decrease operational costs while retaining or enhancing growth performance. There has been tremendous success in integrating soy protein into diets for major aquaculture species (i.e., channel catfish, tilapia, and rainbow trout). There is also an interest in expanding this work to other species using feeds with high levels of fishmeal, such as largemouth bass (LMB). As the demand for this species grows, there is an opportunity to magnify soy protein utilization in this market segment. For bass, there is limited information on the response to soybean process variants and optimized inclusion levels....
Unique Keywords:
#aquaculture
Information And Results
Project Summary

Using soy protein as a fishmeal replacement in domestic aquaculture allows fish producers to decrease operational costs while retaining or enhancing growth performance. There has been tremendous success in integrating soy protein into diets for major aquaculture species (i.e., channel catfish, tilapia, and rainbow trout). There is also an interest in expanding this work to other species using feeds with high levels of fishmeal, such as largemouth bass (LMB). As the demand for this species grows, there is an opportunity to magnify soy protein utilization in this market segment. For bass, there is limited information on the response to soybean process variants and optimized inclusion levels. Type and level of inclusion are integral for optimizing inclusion rates that benefit industry-relevant growth performance and health. The proposed project will evaluate soy protein process variants to investigate LMB growth and development, as well as histological, microbial, and immunological aspects of intestinal health. Together, allowing for the selection of the most appropriate soy ingredient source. The proposed research results are expected to add to the body of knowledge promoting soy-optimized feed formulations and build on existing literature to encourage the use of US-based products in the aquaculture industry.

Project Objectives

Our primary working hypothesis is that the partial replacement of fish meal with soybean meal variants will not negatively impact growth or intestinal health in LMB. This one-year SAA project aims to compare a variety of soy-based protein products within a commercial dietary formulation that would be acceptable for LMB aquaculture, thus expanding the use of soy ingredients in aquaculture. Given the commercial potential of this species, there is a need to further define suitable protein ingredients for feed formulations and the potential to lower levels of dietary fish meal. In summary, the trial's first phase will evaluate growth performance and intestinal health responses to various soy protein ingredients. The project's second component will assess the influence of soy protein sources on disease susceptibility when challenged with columnaris disease, a major bacterial pathogen in warmwater aquaculture.

Primary Objectives: To evaluate the incorporation of soy protein ingredients in juvenile LMB diet formulations, we propose the following objectives:
• Objective 1: Determine growth performance in LMB fed soy protein
• Objective 2: Characterize gastrointestinal health following feeding with soy protein
• Objective 3: Discern changes to columnaris disease susceptibility following feeding with soy process variants

Project Deliverables

Objective 1 will provide a LMB growth performance summary of multiple soy protein ingredients. Objective 2 will indicate if intestinal health is compromised by feeding soy protein replacements. Lastly, Objective 3 will detail immune responses and pathogen susceptibility to F. columnare after feeding various soy proteins. This project will also support an M.S. student and undergraduate research assistants in aquaculture and fish health at Auburn University.

Progress Of Work

Update:

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Updated June 13, 2024:

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Updated April 8, 2024:

Final Project Results

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

The aim of this trial work is to better define and compare soy protein sources as fishmeal replacements in LMB diets. This will in turn allow for more information to provide to feed formulators and increase the amount of soy in diets for a cultured species that is gaining momentum. In addition to the performance data, information on the intestinal integrity following feeding with these soy ingredients is also extremely valuable for extending insight into other fish species with commercial potential.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.