Feeds for aquatic animals have historically relied on fish meal as the major protein source. Financial and sustainability pressures are continuing to push for reduction of fish meal in dietary formulations and plant protein sources are increasingly being used.  However, plant protein sources may be limiting in some essential amino acids and it is the typical practice to supplement feeds with synthetic amino acids.  Methionine is usually one of the first limiting essential amino acids in low-fish meal feeds and different sources of methionine such as L-methionine, DL-methionine and 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid (HMTBa) are commercially available from multiple suppliers for supplementation to feeds.  Some confusion exists regarding the chemical nature, availability and efficacy of HMTBa to aquatic animals.  

Dr. Craig Browdy , Executive Manager Aquaculture Research, Novus International, USA, will tell delegates at the Aquafeed conference in Nashville, TN, USA next month that recent literature suggests that HMTBa is a highly available form of methionine and is as effective as other sources of methionine for aquatic animals and plays a significant role in ensuring optimal performance and achieving feed cost reduction.  His presentation will review the chemical structure and metabolism of HMTBa and will also present results from studies showing that HMTBa is an effective source of methionine for aquatic animals.

Practical Developments  in Aquafeeds - Feed advances to boost profitability is a complimentary conference by Aquafeed.com that will take place February 23, 2012. Nashville, TN, USA, during Aquaculture 2013.  For full details and to register, visit the conference website: feedconferences.com.