Recombinant neutral protease rNpI as fish feed additive to improve protein digestion and growth

The addition of heavy protein to aquafeed causes low digestibility, high cost and significant nitrogen pollution in the water. The addition of protease is an effective way of improving protein absorption, but few proteases have been developed specifically for aquafeeds. The hydrolysis efficiency of protease additives for plant protein in the neutral gut environment and their synergy with endogenous proteases has not been sufficiently investigated. In this study, the performance of the recombinant neutral protease rNpI as an aquafeed additive to reduce the raw protein materials in the diet ofCarassius carassiusduring 56 days of growth was evaluated. rNpI effectively hydrolysed soya bean protein isolates (SPI) with a high degree of hydrolysation and a high small-peptide yield. The rNpI-treated SPI exhibited a notable antioxidant activity, which benefited fish health. In vitro digestibility indicated that rNpI complemented trypsin in SPI digestion better than papain or Alcalase. The growth trial showed that the addition of rNpI could warrant a reduction in the crude protein and gross energy of feed while producing a lower feed-conversion rate (FCR) and better growth performance. Crucian that were fed an RM-wheat-E diet (5.5% rapeseed meal and 5% wheat reduction) showed the best performance, with the lowest FCR and highest weight gain. These results indicate that rNpI could be an effective additive for the aquafeed industry and could provide economic benefits by reducing aquafeed protein requirements and nitrogen emissions. This study provides novel information and strategies for additive protease use and development in aquafeed.

Automated summary

The study found that the neutral protease rNpI effectively hydrolyzed soybean protein isolates, resulting in a high degree of hydrolysis and small-peptide yield, with notable antioxidant activity for fish health. rNpI complemented trypsin in soybean protein digestion better than papain or Alcalase. The addition of rNpI led to lower feed protein and energy content, reduced FCR, and improved growth performance in fish, with the best results seen in fish fed a diet with reduced rapeseed meal and wheat content.