Approaches to Use Anti-nutritional Factors Containing Plant Based Protein-rich Aquafeeds

Replacement of the fish meal as a protein source in the aquafeeds is required these days due to the high cost of fish meal and its uncertain availability. Aquatic animals rely on fish meal for protein source so the protein source used in place of fish meal must not alter the nutritional quality of the feed. Therefore, such alternatives include animal and plant by- products such as meat, bone meal, rapeseed meal, soybean meal, corn gluten meal, a meal of protein- rich leaves, etc. However, the presence of anti-nutritional substances such as phytic acid, tannin, saponin, cyanide, oxalate, phytoestrogens, and gossypol limits the use of plant ingredients because ANFs have various side effects such as poor intestinal inflammation, oxidative stress, and decreased growth rate in many fish. To reduce the harmful effects several techniques such as solvent extraction, dry and wet heating, enzyme treatment, etc are used to reduce or eliminate such toxic components from Aquafeed. Amelioration strategies help in removal of anti-nutritional factors from plant based extract and are helpful in production of nutrient- rich and cost effective feed for fish for better growth and viability.