Effects of replacing fishmeal with cottonseed protein concentrate on growth performance, flesh quality and gossypol deposition of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

This study evaluated the effects of substituting fishmeal with cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) on growth, flesh quality and gossypol deposition of largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides. A basal diet was formulated to contain 700 g/kg fishmeal, and then CPC was used to replace 0% (FM), 15% (C15), 30% (C30), 45% (C45), 70% (C70) of dietary fishmeal. The five diets were fed to largemouth bass with initial body weight of 95.3 g for 12 weeks. The results indicated that 45% of fishmeal could be successfully replaced by CPC without significant impacts on weight gain (WG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P 0.05). In addition, no significant differences were observed in flesh free gossypol contents among the groups of FM, C45 and C70 (P 0.05). Conclusively, up to 45% fishmeal could be successfully replaced by CPC without compromising the growth, flesh composition, texture, flavor characteristics and antioxidant capacity, while 70% fishmeal replacement by CPC produced negative effects on the growth performance and flesh quality of largemouth bass.