Barley as Protein Source for Fish Feeds

Filed in archive Food and Agriculture on February 8, 2010

© chromalux

Researchers have devised a novel process to concentrate the protein in standard field barley for use as an alternative to fishmeal as a protein source in commercial fish feeds.

"We conducted feeding trials to determine the digestibility of macronutrients and amino acids in the barley protein concentrate. The data from these trials allowed us to formulate trout feeds with varying levels of barley protein concentrate, and we successfully replaced both fishmeal and soy protein concentrate.

"There is no current commercialization of barley protein concentrate in place, but MMP is producing pilot quantities for feeding studies in trout, salmon, and other species. MMP projects that the concentrate will sell for $700 to $1,200 per ton," says Barrows. Since fishmeal costs about $1,200 per ton, and fish oil costs about $2,200 per ton, the projected costs of barley protein concentrate compare favorably.

THe ARS scientists, in partnership with the Montana Microbial Products (MMP) of Butte, Montana, have applied for a patent on this new enzymatic method.

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