| dc.description.abstract | The objective of this study was to evaluate various alternative vegetable protein
sources to replace soybean meal (traditional protein source) on the performance and chemical
composition of catfish (Rhamdia quelen) and its influence on the coloration of the fillets. For
this, we conducted an experiment lasting 45 days in thermoregulated water recirculation with
biological filter (biofilter). For this study, we used 20 experimental units with a capacity of
90L each, where 400 fish were kept. We evaluated four diets with different protein sources, as
follows: control diet with soybean meal-based protein; CL: diet containing protein crambe
meal concentrate + protein linseed meal concentrate; CLGM: composed crambe meal protein
concentrate + linseed meal protein concentrate + cassava leaf protein concentrate + sunflower
meal protein concentrate and GM: protein concentrate consisting of sunflower meal + protein
cassava leaf concentrate. Each treatment consisted of five repetitions. Juvenile catfish had
11.5±4.99 cm and an initial weight of 10.35±5.5 g. The diet was provided three times a day
(8:00, 12:00 and 17:00) and water analysis was performed weekly. At the end of the
experiment blood samples were collected for determination of blood parameters (total protein,
albumin, triglycerides, total cholesterol and glucose). We also evaluated growth parameters
(weight, condition factor, specific growth rate, daily weight gain and relative protein
efficiency ratio and feed conversion). In addition, we collected two animals per treatment for
proximate evaluate of the whole fish and fillet (moisture, crude protein, amino acids, fat and
ash and was conducted to evaluate the instrumental coloration of the fillets. At the end of the
experiment, significant differences were observed on growth parameters, except for the
condition factor. The color of the fillets presented statistical differences in all diets analyzed,
and the animals fed on GM diets CLGM and had a yellowish color, this may be a factor in
choosing the product by the consumer. Based on this study, we concluded that the CL diet
showed higher growth compared to diets containing protein concentrate of cassava leaves and
sunflower, but it was the highest fat content in whole fish and fillet. The color of the fillets
was also affected by protein sources, and treatment with protein cassava leaf concentrate
resulted in a yellow pigment in the fillets. | |
