Premium insect protein sees salmon yields and quality leap, boosting farmers’ profits

• Commercial trial shows that incorporating just a small amount of high-performing insect protein into Atlantic salmon feed improves salmon yield, quality and taste.

• New Profit Calculator shows farmers the incremental profits plus the environmental benefits of feed based on a high-quality insect protein.

• Premium insect protein provides a profitable solution to lower the feed footprint, enhancing both farmers' financial returns and environmental stewardship.

A recent trial conducted by Aller Aqua, in collaboration with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) and Austevoll Melaks, showed a positive effect on salmon yields, fillet quality and taste when ProteinX black soldier fly meal is incorporated into feed. A new Profit Calculator, based on the scientific data, reveals the impact on profitability when farmers experiment with different variables, while also highlighting the impact on the environmental footprint. The consistent outcome remains clear: ProteinX-based feed is a turnkey solution that boosts profits and lowers the footprint.

Salmon production is set to surge by 40% by 2033, to address rising global demand.[i] Securing access to aquafeed raw materials is a big challenge. To address this, the industry is exploring alternative ingredients and innovative feed solutions. Simultaneously, the industry must navigate sustainability concerns, including environmental regulations, corporate pledges, and consumer perceptions. High-quality insect ingredients offer a turnkey solution, especially now that a new calculator tool demonstrates their profitability and reduced environmental impact when incorporated into salmon feed based on scientific trials.

A leap forward for salmon

The new study compared a conventional diet against a diet with 4% high-performing insect meal at the cost of soy protein concentrate. The insect protein was Protix’s ProteinX, a premium protein with a different performance than other insect proteins in the market. The trials were conducted by Aller Aqua at Austevoll Melaks AS salmon farm in Norway. The whole fish were analysed in terms of weight, shape, external welfare indicators and slaughter yield. Raw fillets were assessed for yield, firmness, fillet gaping, composition of the skeletal muscle, fat and astaxanthin content and amino acid composition. 50 panel members rated the baked fillets in a sensory assessment. Key findings include:

Yield

Atlantic salmon fed a diet with ProteinX reached an average body weight of around 9.6% more than the control group (4,669 grams versus 4,260 grams). Gutted weight was also 12.5% higher. The slaughter yield (gutted weight / body weight*100%) was statistically relevantly higher for the insect-fed salmon than for the control group. It can thus be concluded that incorporating just 4% ProteinX into the diet of Atlantic salmon increases the amount of sellable fish for the farmer.

Quality

On four key parameters, the fish fed with ProteinX outperformed the benchmark: firmness, gaping, colouration and melanin spots. A texture analyser showed a statistically significant improvement in firmness and gaping. Fillet colouration scored against the SalmoFan colour measurement scale showed an increase of nearly one point. The fish fed with ProteinX meal also had fewer dark spots, making them more visually appealing to customers.

Taste

A panel comprising 50 participants assessed the sensory aspects of the oven-baked salmon fillets. 70 per cent of the tasters preferred the flavour of the salmon fed with ProteinX-based feed.

Counting the benefit

The newly launched Protix Profit Calculator is a valuable resource for the industry. This tool provides farmers with immediate insights into the positive impact on profits and environmental benefits when incorporating 4% of ProteinX into their feed at the cost of soy protein concentrate. By specifying variables such as the farm size, the amount of profit required, and the current salmon price, farmers can calculate the additional profit generated by replacing the soy protein concentrate for ProteinX.

Bright future for aquaculture feed

The findings offer an exciting glimpse into the future of a more profitable, environmentally-friendly aquafeed industry, with quality and taste boosted by a high-performing ingredient. For concrete evidence, feed manufacturers and farmers can consult the new Protix Profit Calculator by reaching out to our aquaculture feed expert team through the form on this page. For more details on the study, the white paper can be downloaded through the button.

[i] https://www.kontali.com/notices/salmon-production-expected-to-grow-by-40-by-2033