An assessment of cereal grains and other starch sources in diets for barramundi (Lates calcarifer) - implications for nutritional and functional qualities of extruded feeds

This study examined the digestibilities of whole diets and ingredients of a range of starch/cereal grains when fed to barramundi (Lates calcarifer). The ingredients included wheat, oats, sorghum, triticale, barley, among others. Twelve diets were prepared using a twin-screw extruder to mimic modern aquafeed-manufacturing processes. The diets were then fed to juvenile barramundi and the faeces collected using stripping methods. Significant variability in the digestible energy and starch value was seen among the test ingredients and diets. Diet starch digestibility ranged from 49.1% to 93.9%. Ingredient starch digestibility ranged from 18.0% to 96.5%. Among the different starch ingredients, a strong negative correlation between the ingredient amylopectin content and starch digestibility of that ingredient was observed. This relationship was also mirrored by a similar relationship, although not as strong, between total starch and starch digestibility. This study demonstrates that barramundi have limited ability to digest starch and that there is an effect of inclusion level on the ability of the animal to digest this nutrient. But it also demonstrates that there is a wide range of cereal sources that can be effectively used as starch sources in extruded diets for this species.