The possible use of beet-vinasse as carbohydrate replacer in formulated diets for the juvenile abalone, Haliotis tuberculata

ABSTRACT

Beet-vinasse is a by-product rich in betaine, a compound with attractant activity to abalone. Therefore, the overall performance of abalone was evaluated using four diets formulated to contain graded levels of beet-vinasse. Ulva and Porphyra, natural foods holding betaine as well, were used as reference diets. After 140 days of experimentation, the highest growth rate was obtained with Porphyra (58.6 µm day⁻¹). However, when beet-vinasse was added, the feed intake was higher as higher amounts of beet-vinasse were incorporated. It was concluded that beet-vinasse had a positive response to induce the feed intake, probably due to better palatability.

KEYWORDS:

• Beet-vinasse
• abalone
• feed
• macroalgae

Acknowledgments

We thank Lucía Soliño and Lúcia Peixoto for their assistance with this investigation. Also, thanks to Ian Emmett for his professional correction of the English language.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The Project Acuisost-CENIT supported this work, Ministry of Science and Innovation (C.D.T.I.) of the Spanish Government.