Comparison of soy protein concentrate as an alternative to fish meal in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) diets

The aim of this study was to replace fish meal (FM) with soy protein concentrate (SPC) in carp diets. During a carp feeding trial, the replacement of FM with SPC in four diets 100% replacement (SPC100); 50% replacement (SPC50); 25% replacement (SPC25), and; 0% replacement (SPC0) had no negative effects on the feed conversion ratio or the feed efficiency ratio of the live carp. However, significant differences in the specific growth rate and condition factor were found. The data obtained showed the four different carp diets led to differences in the chemical composition of the resultant carp meat. Between dietary treatments, significant differences were seen in the level of saturated fatty acids (FAs) in carp meat (P < 0.05). The levels of monounsaturated FAs and polyunsaturated FAs in carp meat differed significantly between dietary treatments (P ? 0.05). Pearson?s correlation coefficient indicates a statistically significant correlation between the FA composition of the diet and the resultant carp meat. It is possible to replace up to 25% of the FM with SPC. Diets SPC25 and SPC0 had no significant FA composition and had amino acid balances that, more than the other diets studied, closely met the requirements of the carp.