Abstract
The current work assessed the inclusion impacts of oilseed camelina meal (CM) as a protein source in red sea bream (Pagrus major) diets. A 45 day assessment period with 180 juveniles (6.47 ± 0.17 g) were allocated in triplicates to 4 experimental groups and fed formulated diets in which fish meal (FM) was subrogated at graded series of 0% (T1), 20.5% soybean meal (T2), 20.5% camelina meal (T3), and 33% camelina meal (T4). No noticeable alterations were observed in specific growth rate, feed intake, survival rate, hepatosomatic index, and Fulton's condition factor among the experimental groups. Fish fed the T4 diet showed considerably reduced (P < 0.05) final weight and body protein content when compared to those fed T2, T3, and basal diets. Plasma biochemical parameters show no differences (P > 0.05) in glucose, total bilirubin, total protein, total cholesterol, triglyceride, glutamyl oxaloacetic transaminase, and glutamic pyruvate transaminase. Hematocrit levels decreased noticeably (P < 0.05) in fish groups fed camelina meal in comparison to the control group. Liver and intestinal histology showed a healthy status and an increase in villus length and goblet cell number in camelina groups. Fish fed the T4 diet displayed higher expression levels (P < 0.05) of relative mRNA interleukin 1 beta (IL-1b) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in comparison to other groups. The inclusion of camelina meal (up to 20%) in red sea bream diets produced similar outcomes to specimens fed fish meal and soybean meal.
•Camelina meal (CM) is a promising substitute for fish meal in the diets of red bream.•Camelina meal (up to 20%) has similar growth outcomes to fish meal (FM) and soybean meal (SBM).•Dietary incorporation of CM exhibits no disease or inflammation signs.