Jeeruttorn Moonsri. Development of protein replacement from aquatic plants in aquatic animal feed. Master's Degree(Appropriate Technology for Resources and Environmental Development). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2007.
Development of protein replacement from aquatic plants in aquatic animal feed
Abstract:
This study developed protein replacement from 2 types of aquatic plants ; Coontail and
Hydrilla. The experiment was divided into 3 parts. The first part was done to study the appropriate
nutrient ratios content of N:P (Nitrogen : Phosphorous). The five different N:P ratios were 0 : 0, 1 : 1,
2 : 1, 4 : 1 and 8 :1 for 6 weeks. The findings showed that the proper concentration for cultivating
both aquatic plants in the food nutrient N:P was 4 : 1 within 4 weeks of cultivating time. The second
experiment was done to study protein powder production and expand cultivation in both aquatic
plants with the proper food nutrient N:P derived from the first experiment. Findings revealed that in
the forth week of cultivation, both aquatic plants provided the optimum yield in protein and the best
growth was with food nutrient ratio at 4: 1. Regarding the third experiment, which was done to study
the quality of powder protein from Coontail and Hydrilla, it was found that Coontail increased
protein content level from 17.43% to 25.78%, or 47.91% weekly. As for Hydrilla, its protein content
level rose from 12.25% to 20.51%, or 67.43% weekly. When comparing protein components between
aquatic plants and fish meal, the results indicated that both essential amino acids and non-essential
amino acids constituting as protein components in aquatic plants were less than those in fish meal.
This was due to high protein content level normally contained in fish meal as general animal protein.
In the experiment, protein from aquatic plants could not replace all protein content of fish meal in
aquatic animal feed. However, protein from aquatic plants could be applied to replace normal plant
protein in aquatic animal feed.