SHRIMP PROTEIN HYDROLYSATE (SPH): A Sustainable Protein Source for Aquafeed

As global fishmeal supplies continue to decline and the demand for sustainable aquaculture continues to grow, the industry is actively searching for alternative protein sources that can maintain high performance while reducing dependence on traditional ingredients.

One promising solution is Shrimp Protein Hydrolysate (SPH) — a high-value ingredient produced from shrimp processing by-products. Through advanced enzymatic hydrolysis, shrimp by-products are converted into a highly digestible protein source rich in functional compounds, making it an excellent ingredient for aquafeed formulations.

Key Nutritional Benefits of SPH

Shrimp Protein Hydrolysate provides multiple nutritional and functional advantages for aquatic feed production:

• High-quality protein with a balanced amino acid profile
• Bioactive peptides that support digestive efficiency and immune response
• High digestibility, improving nutrient absorption
• Enhanced growth performance and better overall health in aquatic species

These properties make SPH a valuable ingredient for improving feed efficiency and supporting sustainable aquaculture production.

Research Highlight

Red Seabream Feeding Trial – 50% Fishmeal Reduction

A controlled feeding study evaluated the potential of SPH as a partial replacement for fishmeal in aquaculture diets. The results showed clear improvements in performance:

• +17% Final Body Weight (FBW)
• +6% improvement in Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)
• +9% Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)
• +6% Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx)

SOD and GPx are key antioxidant enzymes that play an important role in immune defense and oxidative stress management.

Fish fed diets containing SPH significantly outperformed other treatments, confirming that Shrimp Protein Hydrolysate can effectively replace up to 50% of fishmeal in aquafeed formulations without compromising performance.

Supporting a More Sustainable Aquaculture Industry

The use of Shrimp Protein Hydrolysate not only improves feed nutritional value but also contributes to the circular economy by transforming shrimp processing by-products into high-value functional ingredients.

By improving feed efficiency, strengthening fish health, and reducing reliance on fishmeal, SPH helps support a more sustainable and responsible future for the global aquaculture industry.

Keywords: shrimp shell, shrimp powder, shrimp meal, aquafeed ingredients, animal feed protein, sustainable aquaculture, shrimp protein hydrolysate