Marine microalgae from biorefinery as a potential feed protein source for Atlantic salmon, common carp and whiteleg shrimp

Two marine algal products MAP3 and MAP8 were examined for their suitability as fishmeal protein substitutes in feeds of three prominent farmed species, through short-term feeding studies. Algal meals were tested at 5 and 10% protein replacement levels for Atlantic salmon and at 25 and 40% for common carp and whiteleg shrimp. At the end of the 12-week period, the growth and feed performance of the two fish species did not reveal any significant difference between those fish offered the algae-based feed and those offered the control feed. The whole body proximate compositions of Atlantic salmon fed the control and algae-based feeds were not significantly different. In common carp, the lipid content in the fish fed higher level of MAP3 was significantly lower than that of the fish fed the control feed. In whiteleg shrimp, at the end of the 9-week feeding period, growth performance and feed utilization did not differ between the treatment groups. Protein content in the shrimp fed the higher level of MAP8 was significantly lower than that of shrimp on the control feed. The three species could accept the algal meals in their feeds at the tested levels, though there were some noticeable effects on body composition at higher inclusion levels.