Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

can replace fish meal (FM) and soybean, thereby reducing the environmental pressure associated
with fish feed production. Some emerging feed ingredients include mussel meal (MM) from the blue
mussel (Mytilus edulis), black soldier fly meal (BSFM; Hermetia illucens), protein from the fungi
Paecilomyces variotii (Mycoprotein), and leaf protein concentrates. To ensure the safety and
suitability of these novel feed ingredients, they should be assessed for anti-nutritional factors (ANFs)
and contaminants to mitigate health risks for both fish and human consumers. This thesis aims to
ascertain the concentration of saponins, tannins, chitin, dioxins, metals, and PFAS in the
aforementioned feed ingredients, as well as in the fish sludge and frass from the production of the
black soldier fly larvae, and a FM, soybean meal (SBM), and soy protein concentrate (HP 310).
Three leaf protein concentrates (alfalfa protein concentrate, APC; white clover protein
concentrate, WPC; ProteinMax biomass concentrate, PMC), SBM, and HP 310 were analysed for
their saponin and tannin content. The chitin concentration in the BSFM and Mycoprotein was
assessed. Dioxins were analysed in the MM, fish sludge, frass, and FM. All raw materials were
examined for their metal and PFAS content.
Saponins and tannins were detected in all analysed feed ingredients, with the WPC exhibiting
the highest saponin concentration and the PMC having the highest tannin concentration. The chitin
concentration was greatest in the Mycomeal compared to the BSFM. Dioxins were identified at low
levels in the MM, fish sludge and FM. The metal content varied among the raw materials, with WPC
having an arsenic level exceeding the EU maximum limit established under Directive 2002/32/EC,
rendering WPC unsuitable as a feed ingredient. PFAS was of no concern in these feed ingredients,
as only low levels were detected in the MM, BSFM, and FM. In conclusion, all feed ingredients
show promising results for inclusion in fish feed, with the exception of WPC, as ANFs and
contaminants were present at low levels