The effects of camelina oil and solvent extracted camelina meal on the growth, carcass composition and hindgut histology of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr in freshwater

A study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of experimentally solvent extracted camelina meal (SECM) and camelina oil (CO) fed to Atlantic salmon parr. Fish (initial weight: 8.4 g) were fed a control diet, or diets containing 5, 10, 15 or 20% SECM, or 50% and 100% CO substituted for fish oil in diets. Fish were reared in freshwater at 11.7 +/- 0.5 degrees C for 16 weeks. Weight gain from week 13 to week 16 decreased in fish fed 10% SECM, and the daily growth coefficient (DGC) was lower in both 10% (1.22) and 15% (1.22) SECM groups (p < 0.05), but was similar between the fish fed 20% SECM (1.23) diet and the control (1.37; p >= 0.05) diet. The final body weight was not affected by dietary treatments. Condition factor, feed conversion ratio, protein retention ratio and hepato-somatic index were similar among all groups (p >= 0.05). Carcass protein, fat, ash and moisture were also unaffected. The length, width and area of simple villi in the distal intestine were unaffected by treatments (p >= 0.05), however, increased size of lamina propria was observed in fish fed 15 and 20% SECM diets (p < 0.05). Results suggest that fish performance was not affected by the inclusion of 5% SECM in the diet, and 50 to 100% replacement CO by fish oil. Statement of relevance This study investigated novel feed ingredients from Camelina sativa applied in aqua-feed for Atlantic salmon. Camelina oil is as good as fish oil, and it contains health-promoting factor for fish intestine. Solvent extracted camelina meal can be used at 5% in the diet. These findings can reduce reliance on fishmeal and fish oil in the future. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier B.V.