Relation between essential amino acids in diets for pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) in the initial growth phase using the deletion method

Author(s)

André Zuffo Boaratti

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Jaboticabal. 2018-03-13.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias. Jaboticabal
• Defense date: 2018-02-19
• Advisor: João Batista Kochenborger Fernandes; Thiago Matias Torres do Nascimento

Abstract

In animal production, efficiency is always sought, with less environmental impact and consequently increased profitability. One of the main factors that can help in these difficulties is the correct and balanced feeding supplied to the animal, where the protein exerts a great influence. Pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) is one of the most studied and cultivated native fish species mainly in the southeast and central west of Brazil and is considered very suitable for aquaculture because of its ideal characteristics. Thus, the present study aimed to estimate, by the deletion method, the essential amino acids (EAA) ratio for juveniles of pacu in order to ensure better and more efficient use of the provided protein. So 634 juvenile of pacus with an initial average weight of 6.23g were distributed in thirty three 180L tanks connected to a closed water recirculation system, equipped with mechanical and biological filtration, water heater and aeration. The experiment lasted 133 days, and the fish were fed until the apparent satiation. The study was consisted of 11 experimental diets with three replications each, distributed in a completely randomized design. The 11 experimental, semi-purified and extruded diets (basal and 10 diets with EAA deletion), formulated by the deletion technique, present the deletion of just one EAA for each treatment, keeping up isonutrient. With the body nitrogen retention values and the deleted amount of amino acid from evaluated diet, we could obtain the following ideal proportion of digestible EAA (relative to lysine): lysine 1.000, methionine 0.089, threonine 0.336, tryptophan 0.047, arginine 0.593, histidine 0.154, isoleucine 0.147, leucine 0.358, phenylalanine 0.158, valine 0.282. The results showed, with some exceptions, a similar profile between the EAA ratios founded in this study and in other studies using the same methodology for other species of fish. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/07673-9 - Establishing the optimal essential amino acid ratios for juveniles of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) by the deletion method
• Grantee: Andre Zuffo Boaratti
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master