Experimental research on obtaining pelletized feed recipes with applicability in semi-intensive aquaculture systems

¹ National Institute of Research – Development for Machines and Installations Designed for Agriculture and Food Industry – INMA Bucharest, 6, Ion Ionescu de la Brad, sector 1, Romania
² DFR Systems S.R.L., 46, Drumul Taberei, Bucharest 061392, Bucharest, Romania
³ Politehnica University of Bucharest, Faculty of Biotechnical Systems Engineering, Romania
⁴ University of Craiova, Romania

^* Corresponding author: voicea_iulian@yahoo.com

Abstract

Romanian aquaculture can be economically sustainable and viable if the farm is profitable, the farm's income is secure, and the products are accepted by customers. In many cases, improving environmental sustainability can lead to optimizing economic sustainability. For example, a more efficient use of food and nutrients or reduced water and energy consumption are not only beneficial for the environment, but can also reduce costs. Growth in polyculture system, which represents the growth of several species of fish in the same space (pond, pool, basin, etc.), and diversification of supply can increase consumer confidence and thus economic sustainability. The diet must provide the fish with the nutrients necessary for growth (proteins with a plastic role) and provide the energy necessary for physiological processes. Quality food ensures good development, facilitates reproduction and prevents extremely harmful diseases in an aquaculture system. The paper presents a series of experimental recipes for pelletized feed made using an experimental model of small capacity. Nutrient pellets made for feeding fish from the Cyprinid family were analyzed in terms of gross energy value, ash content, moisture, mechanical durability over time, bulk density etc.