The Impact of Replacing Fishmeal with Brewer’s Yeast on Some Production Indicators of Cultured Catfish (Silurus glanis)
Keywords:
Silurus glanis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, fishmeal, growth parameters.Abstract
This study assessed the feasibility of using brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as a full substitute for fishmeal in the diet of catfish (Silurus glanis), with emphasis on growth, feed utilization, and water quality. Fifty fingerlings (initial weight: 47.5–50 g) were assigned to two dietary treatments: a control group fed a fishmeal-based diet and a test group receiving an isonitrogenous diet with total fishmeal replacement by brewer’s yeast. Fish were fed twice daily at 3% of body weight over 90 days.
Final weight, weight gain, and daily growth rate did not differ significantly between groups. However, a numerically improved feed conversion ratio was observed in the yeast group. Brewer’s yeast, rich in protein (~64%), amino acids, and B-vitamins, supported stable water parameters.
Results suggest that brewer’s yeast can serve as a cost-effective and nutritionally viable protein alternative in catfish diets, possibly offering immunological benefits. Further investigation is needed to evaluate long-term impacts of partial inclusion levels.