Development of fishmeal production from catfish processing waste

Abstract

Thailand is ranked among the top nations in the world for marine culture and freshwater aquaculture. Artificially propagation of the hybrid catfish Clarias gariepinus x C. macrocephalus started commercially in 1984 and has expanded throughout the country. Catfish processing as dried fish, pickled fish and fish sausage is an important farming industry providing income and boosting the local economy. Most of the processing waste is used as organic fertilizer. However there is a more valued use in the by-product as fishmeal. A simple fishmeal application process was developed from catfish processing waste (CPW). Both steaming and boiling cooking method were examined before pressing and drying processes. The composition of the fishmeal regarding protein, fat, ash and moisture content was evaluated. The results showed that both cooking processes, boiling and streaming, produced a feed with similar overall qualities. However boiling required less energy than streaming. All fishmeal samples had protein content of lower than 36%, and a fat content of about 15%. This preliminary investigation indicated that CPW was a suitable by-product for use as fishmeal.