Browsing by Author "Goosen, Neill Jurgens"

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    Investigation of potential bio-active properties and effects on production performance of aquafeed ingredients derived from fish processing waste by way of enzymatic autolysis
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014-12) Goosen, Neill Jurgens; Gorgens, Johann F.; De Wet, Lourens; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Department of Process Engineering.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is part of the continuing global research effort dedicated to finding alternative aquafeed ingredients, which not only replace fish meal and fish oil as sources of essential nutrients in aquafeeds, but also provide specialist functional properties when included in feeds. Due to constraints in supply of fish meal and fish oil originating from wild capture fisheries, the continually growing aquafeed industry requires new sources of raw materials for the production of high quality feeds. The aim of the study was to investigate the specialist functional properties of feed ingredients (with emphasis on immune-stimulation potential) derived from fish processing waste after enzymatic hydrolysis by endogenous proteolytic enzymes (autolysis). Further aims were to (i) quantify effects of these feed ingredients on production performance of two species relevant to the South African aquaculture industry, namely Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus and South African abalone Haliotis midae, (ii) compare performance to commercially available enzymatically produced feed ingredients, and (iii) separate the functional effects of these fish processing waste derived feed ingredients from the acid used to preserve them against bacterial spoilage during the autolysis process. Oil recovered after autolysis of rainbow trout viscera proved to be an attractive feed ingredient due to favourable effects on the non-specific cellular immune function of both Mozambique tilapia and South African abalone. However, in South African abalone, increased immune function due to inclusion of fish oil was accompanied by a significant decrease in production performance. The inclusion of hydrolysed proteins, obtained by autolysis of fish waste, in aquaculture feeds also improved non-specific immunity and survival of Mozambique tilapia significantly – independently of the preserving acid – although the same was not observed for South African abalone. Production performance was dependent on dietary hydrolysed protein inclusion levels in both species; excessive inclusion resulted in decreased production performance. The performance of dietary hydrolysed protein from autolysis and those from commercial production processes were significantly different, possibly as a result of different raw material origins and production processes. It is further shown that formic acid can contribute to improved water stability in abalone feeds, a novel mode of action not previously described. The study concludes that the simple autolysis process for processing of fish waste can provide aquafeed ingredients with immune stimulatory potential, which can contribute to improved production performance in the Mozambique tilapia and the South African abalone. The result can contribute to improved sustainability of the aquafeed industry, through substitution of fish meal and fish oil derived from capture fisheries with processed fish waste components.
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    Organic acids as potential growth promoters in abalone culture
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2007-12) Goosen, Neill Jurgens; Gorgens, Johann F.; De Wet, L. F.; Aldrich, C.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Process Engineering
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The first successful captive spawning of the South African abalone Haliotis midae occurred in the 1980’s and subsequently the commercial abalone industry in South Africa has developed, with an estimated investment of US$ 12 million and annual output of 500 to 800 tons by 2001, making South Africa the biggest abalone producer outside of Asia. Natural kelp is currently the major feed and the development of a suitable substitute, and improved disease management in abalone culture are seen as the primary factors limiting expansion of the industry in South Africa. Further, abalone growth rates are very slow and improvements in growth rate will lead to shortened production times with benefits to producers. Diseases in aquaculture have traditionally been combated using antibiotics as treatment (therapeutic usage) and preventative measure (prophylactic usage). In terrestrial livestock management, antibiotics are also used as growth promoters. The use of antibiotics in aquaculture has recently sparked concerns about the development of antibiotic resistance in pathogens of humans and aquaculture organisms, and alternative strategies to using antibiotics mainly focus on manipulating the microbial composition in the host organism, in order to establish a beneficial microbial population to prevent disease. The role that organic acids and their salts can play as growth promoters in the South African abalone Haliotis midae, and as manipulators of the gut microflora of this species of abalone was investigated and compared to the effects of antibiotics. Three different treatments were tested against a negative control and a positive control containing 30ppm avilamycin, a commercial antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) used in the pig and poultry industry. The 3 treatments consisted of 1% acetic and 1% formic acid (treatment AF), 1% sodium benzoate and 1% potassium sorbate (treatment SBPS), and 1% benzoic and 1% sorbic acid (treatment BS). Three different experiments were conducted to test the effects of the different acids and salts. The first experiment was under controlled optimum water temperature conditions (16.5ºC), another at elevated water temperature (20.5ºC) in order to test response during temperature stress conditions, and the final trial was conducted under uncontrolled practical production conditions. In an attempt to establish the mechanism by which the treatments have their effects (if any), the composition of the gut microflora of the abalone was monitored. It was found that the organic acids and salts investigated can enhance the growth rate of Haliotis midae in the size class 23 mm to 33 mm mean length significantly when compared to both control treatments. It was further found that the tested AGP had no effect on growth rate. None of the treatments had a significant effect on feed conversion ratio (FCR), Incidence cost (IC) or feed intake. It could also not be shown that the treatments affected the intestinal microflora of the abalone, although this might be due to inadequate microbiological methods. The mechanism by which the acids and salts have their effects could not be established. It was found that the animals in the controlled system underwent an initial adaptation period, which led to improvement in specific growth rate (SGR), FCR and IC as the experiment progressed during the controlled optimal conditions experiment. Large differences in FCR and IC was seen for controlled optimal conditions and production conditions which means that there is still a large scope for developing methods to improve practical on-farm feed utilisation by abalone. SGR, FCR and IC were negatively influenced by raising water temperature from 16.5ºC to 20.5ºC. The composition of the gut microflora of the abalone also changed significantly after the water temperature was raised. It appears that animal weight gain and shell growth respond differently to changing water temperatures, which is reflected in a change in Fulton condition factor. A relationship between the length and weight of abalone between 15 mm and 47 mm was established and it was found that Haliotis midae does not follow an isometric growth relationship. This relation can be used as a tool to improve farm management and therefore also profitability. Various micro-organisms were isolated from Haliotis midae during the trial, but their relationship and interaction with abalone is not clear. Clear dominance by specific species of bacteria was observed during certain periods. The current research has clearly showed the potential of organic acids and their salts to act as growth promoters in the South African abalone Haliotis midae, with application in both the local aquaculture and feed manufacturing industries. The possibility further exists that some aspects of the current research can be adapted to be applicable in other abalone species and even in other aquaculture species.