Calysta successfully tested its protein FeedKind® in Japanese yellowtail or Hamachi, one of the most popular food fish in Japan and a sushi staple. The study showed that FeedKind integration into the Hamachi diet has no impact on growth rates or health of the fish up to 20% of total feed.
“We already knew FeedKind was a quality product that can play an important part in even the most demanding applications, and being able to count Hamachi among the species we have now validated the product for is yet further evidence of that. It shows that FeedKind protein can be used as successfully in carnivorous marine species common to Asian markets as it has been in salmonids and shrimp,” said Allan LeBlanc, vice president of Market Development at Calysta. “As it can be produced independent of weather conditions or other environmental factors, FeedKind can provide supply chain stability while maintaining growth and performance of the animal, making it a fantastic addition to the feed mill and farmer’s toolbox.”
The trial, led by Amal Biswas of Japan’s Kindai University, tested the feed ingredient in two groups of 1,500 and 800 yellowtail fish for eight weeks. In both cases, a control diet was used, alongside increasing concentrations of FeedKind.
Fish survivability was 100% across all tests, with no significant difference between the control diets and the 25% inclusion rate across both trial groups. The study further showed that the alternative protein can effectively replace 30% of fishmeal protein in the diet of yellowtail without any impact on the growth rate, digestibility, daily feeding rate or feed efficiency.
“Japanese yellowtail is one of the most popular fish in Japan and is known the world over for sushi, but farmers have had to contend with unpredictable feed costs, a problem that will only be exacerbated without effective alternative proteins,” said Amal Biswas, Professor at Kindai University.
The results come as Calysta and JV partners Adisseo confirm that the construction of the Calysseo production facility in Chongqing, China, is progressing as planned and on time. Thomas JG Huot, COO of Calysta and joint director of the Calysseo joint venture with Adisseo, said that “the timing of this, in the context of the construction of our plant in China, is particularly advantageous. It is perhaps even more important when set against the backdrop of the protein gap and the need to produce more from less, improving food security and helping make food production systems as a whole more sustainable.”
The non-GMO protein has already been shown to be an effective feed for salmon, trout and shrimp, as well as pets and terrestrial livestock. It is approved for commercial use in feeds throughout the EU, Japan, and Thailand, among other countries.
Check out the study here.
