alternative protein sources less expensive to reduce their dependence
on FM (Hardy, 2010; Naylor et al., 2009). Despite the possibility of
including terrestrial animal by-products in aquaculture diets, there is
much public concern inmany countries due to BSE (bovine spongiform
encephalopathy) and prion risks associated to such ingredients arising
within the animal and consumer food chain, so legislation severely
restricts the use of these protein sources. Consequently, the use of
plant proteins to replace FM has become more acceptable in recent
years. Considering the different possibilities, soybeans are a logical
protein source for use in aquaculture diets (Brown et al., 2008), mainly
due to their high protein content, global availability and relatively low
price compared to FM.
The aims of this study were to evaluate effects of practical diets
with different protein content and substitution possibilities of FM
protein by soybean meal (SBM) protein during the first period of
rearing.