The fishmeal produced from overflowed fish by traditional steam cooking is susceptible to bacterial activity and nutrient degradation during storage due to insufficient drying and sterilization. Calcined bivalve shell had antimicrobial effects and was potentially used as a preservative ingredient to improve fishmeal’s shelf life and nutritional value. The present research aimed to study the beneficial effect of calcined mussel meal (CMM) as a preservative agent to improve fishmeal’s storage stability and nutritional values. CMSM was mixed with fish meal in four levels: 0, 3, 6, and 9% (w/w) and then stored at room temperature for 45 days. Samples were taken on days 0, 15, 30, and 45 and analyzed for proximate nutrients, physical properties, and bacterial colonies. Their nutritional values were evaluated by mixing the calcite-preserved fishmeal with a basal diet of 5% and feeding it to 200 laying quails for eight weeks. The feeding trial had four treatments as a basal diet combined with fishmeal containing 0, 3, 6, and 9% CMSM. Each treatment was composed of 5 replications (@ ten birds). Parameters measured included feed intake, egg production, FCR, eggshell, and tibia bone mineralization. Results found that 3-9% CMSM increased crude ash and densities of fishmeal and inhibited the increase in moisture content, protein degradation, and the development of bacteria during storage. Using fish meals containing 3 and 6% CMSM in the diet improved egg production and feed utilization efficiency of laying quails. In conclusion, the calcined lake mussel shell meal could be used 3-6% to improve fishmeal storage stability and nutritional values.
Keywords | Calcite, Fish meal, Mussel shell, Nutritional values, Physical properties, Laying quails