Tilapia is fast becoming one of the most important
farmed fish species. Since protein is one of the
most expensive components of tilapia feeds, its
utilization must be optimized and the cost
minimized. The development of commercial feeds for
tilapia has been traditionally based on the use of
fish meal as the main protein source. However, the
limited supply coupled with an increasing demand
from the animal feed industry result in a high price
for this ingredient. Thus it is critical that
tilapia feed industry reduce its reliance on fish
meal. Quite often, methionine is one of the most
limiting amino acids in non-fish meal protein
sources used to formulate commercial tilapia feeds.
In order to maximize the utilization of these
protein sources, methionine requirement must be
precisely determined. A series of studies have been
conducted to evaluate the possibility of using
alternative plant and animal protein sources to
replace fish meal in practical diets, as well as
determine the TSAA requirement and replacement value
of cystine for methionine in semi-purified diets and
apply these research findings to practical diets for
juvenile tilapia.
farmed fish species. Since protein is one of the
most expensive components of tilapia feeds, its
utilization must be optimized and the cost
minimized. The development of commercial feeds for
tilapia has been traditionally based on the use of
fish meal as the main protein source. However, the
limited supply coupled with an increasing demand
from the animal feed industry result in a high price
for this ingredient. Thus it is critical that
tilapia feed industry reduce its reliance on fish
meal. Quite often, methionine is one of the most
limiting amino acids in non-fish meal protein
sources used to formulate commercial tilapia feeds.
In order to maximize the utilization of these
protein sources, methionine requirement must be
precisely determined. A series of studies have been
conducted to evaluate the possibility of using
alternative plant and animal protein sources to
replace fish meal in practical diets, as well as
determine the TSAA requirement and replacement value
of cystine for methionine in semi-purified diets and
apply these research findings to practical diets for
juvenile tilapia.