Lupin protein isolates in aquaculture feed
May 31st, 2008 by AndrewAn economically competitive processes for preparing lupin protein isolates has been developed. This was undertaken while ensuring the optimal technological, sensory and nutritional characteristics of the lupin seeds.
Vegetable sources of protein are likely to be major players in overcoming the fish production gap. Using wild capture fish in fish meal as a major constituent in aquaculture feed cannot be sustainable in the face of the need to produce 40 million tonnes of aquaculture produce per annum
The project aimed to obtain food ingredients from lupin seeds. This included an innovative procedure for separating native protein products from sweet white lupin seeds.
The process involved the cleaning, de-hulling and flaking of the seeds, followed by de-oiling with hexane. The resulting white flakes are input material for protein extraction, which was carried out in a new pilot facility.
A second process used enzymes and the subsequent ultrafiltration of the protein extract. The result was a native protein concentrate with a fat content around 7.8% and a protein concentration of 80-90%.
Three varieties of lupins gave good results, Aster, a winter variety and Energy and Ares, which are springtime varieties. Selection criteria involved stability of the protein, fat and fibre content, and low levels of antinutritional compounds (particularly alkaloids).
More information about these processes is available here.
What are other sources of protein that can be used for fish feed? We know that Soy is already used extensively. What are other alternatives?
Tags: feed, lupins, protein
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June 4th, 2008 at 9:42 am
A book has recently been released on alternative protein sources for aquaculture, titled (funnily enough!) “Alternative Protein Sources in Aquaculture Diets”. It has been released by Dr Chhorn Lim, Dr Carl D Webster and Dr Cheng-Sheng Lee through The Haworth Press Inc.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Trials have also been conducted that substitute various percentages of feed pea meal into milkfish diets. Science Direct have an article - Potential of feed pea (Pisum sativum) meal as a protein source in practical diets for milkfish (Chanos chanos Forsskal) - online.