Partial substitution of fish meal with vegetable protein sources in a diet for sea bass: effects on lipogenesis

Three isoproteic (49.4%) and isolipidic (17.0%) diets were prepared: A control diet FM, in which protein was derived from fish meal and two experimental diets in which 70% of the fish meal protein was substituted with wheat gluten meal (WGM) or wheat gluten meal plus soybean meal (WGMsb), respectively. The essential limiting amino acids were added to satisfy the requirements of the species (Tibaldi et al., 1996). Three hundred and fifteen sea bass (initial weight = 23.9±0. 1g )were randomly divided into nine homogenous groups. The animals were reared in a closed recirculation system at 23.9 ◦ C and were fed ad libitum twice a day for 96 days. The fish were weighed at the beginning and the e…