Impact of krill (Euphausia superba) meal on growth performance of aquatic animals: A meta-analysis and prospective directions
Abstract
Antarctic krill meal (KM) (Euphausia superba) as a substitute for fishmeal in aquatic animal diets is gaining popularity worldwide. A quantitative approach investigating the efficacy of using this protein on the production performance of aquatic animals remains widely limited. Here, we employed a meta-analysis to quantify the overall effects (Hedges’g [g] value effect size) of KM on the specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and survival rate (SR) of several aquaculture species. A total of 22 records published during 2006 to 2022 from different countries, targeting 14 aquatic species, were employed in the present study. Overall, KM has a high nutritional value relative to fishmeal, particularly from the high protein and amino acid composition. Dietary KM significantly increased the overall effect size of SGR (g = 1.92) (P = 0.001); the positive effect was illustrated in marine species (g = 1.32 to 9.10) (P < 0.05) and sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) (g = 6.59) (P < 0.001). The overall g value for FCR (−2.42) was significantly improved compared to the control group (P < 0.001). The inclusion of KM in aquatic animal diets did not affect g value of PER (1.52, 95% confidence interval: −1.04 to 4.07) and survival rate (0.08, 95% confidence interval: −0.63 to 0.79) (P = 0.252 and 0.208, respectively). The meta-regression models indicated that SGR of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was significantly correlated with dietary…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
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