Quality Evaluation and Contamination Testing in the Fish Meal used for Livestock Production Industry

Abstract

Fish meal is also claimed as one of the best feedstuff which contained various valuable nutrients and consists of an optimum quality for livestock. Therefore, it is also necessary to evaluate fish meal before using to confirm its quality. This study was aimed to evaluate the qualities of fish meal samples under the physical characteristic. Twenty-five samples of fish meal were graded to five levels according to the Thai fish meal producers association as the premium grade, number 1, number 2, number 3 and head fish grade which each grade contained five samples. The results showed that color of fish meal presented brown and dark brown which were related to the fresh of fish. Some serious impurities were also found such as feather meal which it was found 8 % (2/25) in fish meal number 2 and 3 as 20% (1/5) each. Limestone and ground shell were found 24 % (6/25) in the grade premium, number 1, 3 and 2 amount 60% (3/5), 40% (2/5) and 20% (1/5), respectively. There were not found chromium and urea granule in all selected fish meal samples. However, the salt content is high above the newest regulation limit. The overall results from this study are able to summarize that the quality of fish meal which supplied to the customer has mostly well prepare to meet a regulation of fish meal standard. Nevertheless, contamination of feather meal, limestone and ground shell are also found and these are able to interfere some nutritional values of fish meal.