Effect of Soy Protein Products and Gum Inclusion in Feed on Fecal Particle Size Profile of Rainbow Trout

Replacement of fishmeal (FM) with alternative plant proteins, especially soybean meal (SBM), can cause a diarrhea-like symptom in rainbow trout (RBT), characterized by very fine fecal particles. These fines do not settle out in raceway effluent for collection and can contribute to pollution of receiving waters. In this study, two experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 examined effects of nine protein sources (sardine meal, menhaden meal, soy protein concentrates (SPC) (three types), SBM (regular and high protein), corn protein concentrate (CPC), and poultry by-product meal (PBM)) on fecal particle size distribution. Results showed that all five soy-based diets produced feces in RBT having 75.7–89.3% fines and only about 1.0% large particles, while the remaining four diets yielded feces having a balanced particle size distribution. Oligosaccharides present naturally in soy products, thought to contribute fecal fines, were not correlated to fecal particle size classes. Instead, high crude fiber content in soy-based diets was found to be responsible for unbalanced fecal particle distribution in RBT. Experiment 2 examined if improvements in formulation could reduce the negative effect of soy-based ingredients. Eight practical diets (FM, SPC, SPC + 0.3% guar gum, PBM + CPC, PBM + CPC + 20 or 30% SPC, and PBM + CPC + 20 or 30% SPC + 0.3% guar gum) were formulated to contain 40% protein and 20% lipid. Results showed that diets containing mixtures of PBM, CPC, and 20% or 30% SPC plus guar gum produced trout feces with the highest percentage of large particles and lowest of fines, while the diet containing SPC alone (56%) plus guar gum resulted in trout feces having the highest content of mid-size particles. It was concluded that crude fiber in soy protein products (SBM and SPC) caused undesirable fecal particle profiles in RBT, and the addition of guar gum could significantly alleviate this negative effect.