The Future of Soy in Aquafeed: Transforming Marine Finfish Nutrition
- Category:
- Aquaculture
- Soy Foods
- Soybean Meal
As global aquaculture continues to expand, the need for sustainable and efficient feed ingredients has never been greater. Aquaculture producers and feed manufacturers are increasingly concerned about the availability and affordability of sustainable, high-quality protein ingredients. This growing demand for high-protein feed ingredients - traditionally met with marine derived ingredients like fish-meal - will need to be filled by alternative protein sources and soy is particularly well-suited for the job.
Soybean meal is the most used plant-based protein ingredient in aquafeeds1, but its inclusion in marine fish diets has historically been limited by high concentrations of some anti-nutritional factors (ANFs)2. Further processing of soybean meal into value-added soy products like soy protein concentrate (SPC) reduces ANF concentration and allows for increased soy inclusion in the diets of marine fish species2. SPC and other value-added soy products are revolutionizing aquafeed formulations, particularly for salmonids and marine finfish species such as sea bass and sea bream. These innovations are enhancing the nutritional profile of aquafeeds while reducing reliance on traditional marine-based ingredients like fishmeal.
What is SPC?
Soy Protein Concentrate (SPC) is a high-protein soy product used as a sustainable alternative to fishmeal, providing essential amino acids while reducing anti-nutritional factors for improved growth and feed efficiency in aquaculture.
Why US Soy is Ideal for SPC Production:
- Superior Nutritional Content: U.S. Soy’s superior amino acid profile and high protein digestibility are ideal for production of nutrient dense SPC.1
- Consistent High Quality: U.S. Soy has lower levels of damage compared to soy of other origin and therefore more consistent nutritional quality. This results in SPC production of consistent quality that can be more efficiently utilized in feed formulation.3
- Lowest Carbon Footprint: U.S. Soy has the lowest carbon footprint compared to soy of other origins, enabling the production of low carbon footprint SPC.4
SPC is a highly refined soy product with a protein content of 60–67% and has an amino acid profile closely resembling that of fishmeal. This makes SPC an excellent alternative protein source for marine species, especially during early growth stages when high protein intake is crucial for optimal results.
- High Protein Content: SPC offers a sustainable alternative to fishmeal while delivering sufficient protein and energy for inclusion in nutrient dense feeds for marine fish, marine shrimp, and fry/fingerlings of both marine and freshwater species.5
- Minimal Antinutritional Factors: Unlike conventional soybean meal, SPC undergoes additional processing to remove factors that can inhibit digestion and nutrient absorption. This allows for increased inclusion of SPC in high protein marine fish diets.2
- Cost-Effective Solution: Fishmeal prices are highly variable. Value-added soy products like SPC provide a relatively more price stable and therefore economically beneficial alternative protein source for aquafeed manufacturers.6
Aquafeed producers and research institutions are integrating SPC into their aquafeed formulations. SPC is being increasingly and successfully incorporated into diets for sea bass, sea bream, salmon, and other high-value species, reducing dependency on marine-derived proteins7. With ongoing research and commercial trials, the adoption of these ingredients is expected to grow, ensuring a more sustainable future for global aquaculture.
The future of aquafeed lies in innovative, sustainable ingredients that balance nutrition, cost, and environmental impact. Value-added soy products like SPC are paving the way for a more efficient and responsible aquaculture industry. As more feed manufacturers embrace these advancements, U.S. Soy will continue to play a pivotal role in meeting the world’s growing protein demand while supporting the sustainability of marine finfish farming.
This article is funded in part by the soy checkoff.