In vitro assays predicts mineral retention and apparent protein digestibility of different fish feed measured using a juvenile P. mesopotamicus model

Abstract

Feed chemical composition only provides information about nutrient content of a diet, but not its bioavailability. The aims were to determine mineral bioaccessibility and protein digestibility of three different fish feed, using in vitro methods and to correlate them with feed mineral retention and apparent protein digestibility measured by juvenile Piaractus mesopotamicus model, considering elliptical joint confidence region (EJCR) of weighted least-squares analysis. For in vivo assays, juvenile P. mesopotamicus were randomly stocked into conical tanks and fed during 38 days with a commercial diet, an experimental diet, or the same experimental diet added with phytase (0.2 g/kg). Total body mineral retention (mineral bioavailability indicator) and apparent protein digestibility of different diets were measured. For in vitro methods, mineral dialysability (mineral bioaccessibility indicator) and protein digestibility of the same diets were determined. No significant difference in morphometric and haematological markers were detected between diets. For iron, zinc and phosphorous bioavailability, and protein digestibility, weighted least-squares analysis showed the optimal point (1, 0) was included in EJCR, indicating in vivo and in vitro methods were comparable and correlated satisfactorily. In vitro methods were able to reproduce accurately the results obtained from traditional in vivo assays using juvenile P. mesopotamicus model.