Sources of plant protein for fish feed: Understanding and controlling antinutritional factors

This project will form the Norwegian pillar in a trilateral scientific cooperation and coordination with USA and Canada of activities within the fish feed area. The Canadian and US pillars are funded by public grants and industrial sponsors. Atlantic sal mon is the most important farmed fish in Norway, and RB trout is an important farmed fish in all three countries. There is, however, a great need for species specific knowledge about tolerance for plant feedstuffs and ANFs in these species. Canada and USA are major producers of feed crops and processed fractions derived from these crops. Thus, goals of the project will be addressed across the following three work packages (WPs): WP1: Detailed qualitative and quantitative characterisation of nutrient and non-nutrient components including ANFs in selected batches and fractions of North American feed crops and fish feeds based on these feedstuffs through a metabolomics approach (metabolic profiling and targeted analysis). Carry-over and metabolic effects of ANFs on fish tissue will be investigated. WP2: Cell culture studies testing effects of selected ANFs found in these plant feedstuffs on the function of cells from the fish intestine. Cell cultures allow detailed studies of purified ANFs for which invest igation in feeding experiment is impossible due to economical or availability constraints. WP3: Fish studies testing effects of characterised plant feedstuffs on nutrient utilisation, gut function, and immune responses in Atlantic salmon and RB trout. Ef fects on structural, physiological, and immunological parameters of the gut and other internal organs will be investigated with methods so far mainly employed on Atlantic salmon. The results will be directly implemented into daily raw material sourcing a nd processing and safe recipe formulation in BioMar's Performance Concept. When published they will benefit aquaculture in all collaborating countries, as well as North American agri-businesses.