The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of starch source, retention time in the preconditioner and screw speed (RPM) on physical quality of extruded fish feeds. The experiment was arranged in a three by two by two factorial design using three carbohydrate sources [wheat starch (WS), pea starch (PS) or a combination (WS_PS)], two retention times in the preconditioner [long (120 s) or short (62 s)] and two RPM in the extruder [high (300) or low (220)]. Physical quality was assessed by hardness, diameter, expansion ratio, Holmen durability (HDI), DORIS value (DV), oil absorption capacity, oil leakage and pasting viscosity. The results showed that retention time in the preconditioner only affected HDI and oil leakage. Long retention time improved HDI but caused a greater leakage. Changing screw speed from 220 to 300 RPM gave a greater expansion ratio, improved HDI and oil absorption. PS resulted in higher pasting viscosity, HDI and DV, but a generally lower hardness than WS. To conclude, PS and WS have different processing characteristics, and the conditions need to be adjusted according to the starch source used when producing extruded fish feed.

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Two experiments were conducted to investigate effects of feed processing conditions and potassium diformate (KDF) supplementation on apparent digestibility of nutrients in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and physical quality of extruded feed. In Exp. 1, diets with raw or expander pretreated full-fat soybean meal (FFSBM) at 100 or 120°C were extruded at 110°C. Expander pretreatment significantly (P < 0.05) improved the digestibility of arginine, glutamine and tyrosine in Atlantic salmon. The higher digestibility of expander pretreated FFSBM was confirmed in mink (Mustela vison). In Exp. 2, diets with defatted soybean meal (SBM) were extruded at 110, 130 or 150°C. The results showed that increasing extrusion temperatures significantly (P < 0.05) improved the digestibility of most major nutrients and amino acids in Atlantic salmon. In general, KDF supplementation to FFSBM and SBM diets did not affect digestibility of nutrients in Atlantic salmon or mink. Expander pretreatment and increasing extrusion temperatures increased pellet expansion, while KDF supplementation reduced pellet expansion.

Increased substitution of marine ingredients by terrestrial plant products in aquafeeds has been proven to be suitable for Atlantic salmon farming. However, a reduction in n-3 long-chain PUFA is a consequence of this substitution. In contrast, relatively little attention has been paid to the effects of fishmeal and oil substitution on levels of micronutrients such as Se, considering fish are major sources of this mineral for human consumers. To evaluate the effects of dietary marine ingredient substitution on tissue Se distribution and the expression of Se metabolism and antioxidant enzyme genes, Atlantic salmons were fed three feeds based on commercial formulations with increasing levels of plant proteins (PP) and vegetable oil. Lipid content in flesh did not vary at any sampling point, but it was higher in the liver of 1 kg of fish fed higher PP. Fatty acid content reflected dietary input and was related to oxidation levels (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances). Liver had the highest Se levels, followed by head kidney, whereas the lowest contents were found in brain and gill. The Se concentration of flesh decreased considerably with high levels of substitution, reducing the added value of fish consumption. Only the brain showed significant differences in glutathione peroxidase, transfer RNA selenocysteine 1-associated protein 1b and superoxide dismutase expression, whereas no significant regulation of Se-related genes was found in liver. Although Se levels in the diets satisfied the essential requirements of salmon, high PP levels led to a reduction in the supply of this essential micronutrient.

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