NEWS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE September 2024 21 An investigation done by Nofima reveals the negative effect that repeated mechanical delousing has on fillet colour. This effect has not been documented before and could be caused by several factors, Nofima explains. It may be due to increased breakdown of an antioxidant like astaxanthin when the fish are stressed. However, it could also be that reduced feed intake results in lower slaughter weight, which is of great importance in relation to fillet colour. If fish are slaughtered at a lower weight to avoid more delousing, this will have a further negative effect on colour. The findings are based on questionnaires answered by Norwegian industry actors in 2023, data on fillet colour from commercial productions between 2012 and 2023, and from Nofima’s R&D licenses. FHF – Norwegian Seafood Research Fund has funded the study, which has been carried out by Nofima senior scientist Trine Ytrestøyl and her colleagues. “There is a high degree of correlation between what the fish farmers report in the questionnaire and what we observe affecting pigmentation in the data analysis, so there is reason to believe it provides a realistic picture of the situation,” says Ytrestøyl. Not all fish farmers perceive inadequate fillet colour as a problem. Some report a reduction in pigmentation in 2 percent of slaughtered fish, while others indicate problems with 20-40 percent of the slaughtered fish. There is also variation in their target for the lowest acceptable colour, ranging from 24 to 27 on the SalmoFan scale and between 5 and 7 milligrams of astaxanthin per kilogram of fillet. Read more>> New research details fillet colour status in farmed salmon Engineering Feed Solutions www.orffa.com - Follow us on EXCENTIAL ALLIIN PLUS Garlic and cinnamon to support gastrointestinal health WATCH THE VIDEO • Combination of cinnamon and garlic • High concentration of active ingredients • Stable product, because of unique production process • Supports health and performance of animals • Applicable in multiple animal species EXCENTIAL ALLIIN PLUS Visit us at EUROTIER Hall 22 | Booth C18
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