The effects of fish protein hydrolysate as supplementation on growth performance, feed utilization and immunological response in fish: A review

Abstract

Aquaculture has rapidly developed and expanded, leading to high demand on fishmeal, which is the main protein source for aqua-feed production. Some alternative protein sources have been evaluated to replace fishmeal in aquaculture. Fish protein hydrolysates (FPH) are prepared by enzymatic hydrolyzing fish protein in fish wastes discarded from the fish processing industry. FPH are promising alternative protein sources because they not only contain high protein level, balanced amino acid profile, and antioxidants; but also possess desirable functional and bioactive peptides. The review summarized the potential effects of fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) as supplementation on the growth performance, feed utilization, and physiological and immunological response of fish species. Moderate dietary FPH levels could improve growth, feed utilization and disease resistance in fish. However, excessive FPH inclusion levels led to the depression of growth and health of fish. The data suggested that supplementation of optimum FPH levels in diets may take their full effective utilization in the enhancement of growth and health of fish.