Use of Porphyra spheroplasts as feed additive for red sea bream

Two test diets with and without 5% Porphyra spheroplasts (PS) were formulated using white fishmeal as the main protein source. Red sea bream Pagrus major (mean body weight 15.4 +/- 0.1 g) were maintained in a flow-through system (100 L) of thermo-controlled sea water (salinity 32-34, 25 degrees C, 8 L/min) with ordinary aeration (400-600 mL/min) under laboratory light conditions (light-dark 12 h:12 h). Fish were fed three times a day at 10:00, 14:00 and 18:00 hours by hand for 42 days at 6% body weight on each experimental diet. Studies revealed that growth performance, survival and nutrient retention were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the groups fed a diet containing spheroplasts (PS diet). Further, the fish fed the PS diet showed significantly (P < 0.05) lower feed conversion rates. Both groups of the PS and control diets had similar levels of body nutritional profile in terms of proximate compositions and fatty acids without compromising blood serum related parameters. From these experimental results, thus, it is comprehensible that a supplementary diet containing Porphyra spheroplasts can be used for maximizing not only growth of P. major but also for utilization of the feed ingredients.