Is the nutritional composition of safflower oilseed meal sufficient for alternative or complementary aqua feeds-raw material?

Abstract

Safflower (Carthomus tinctorius L.) is grown in many countries, even in arid regions. Due to its important nutrients, safflower has the potential to be used as raw material for the nutrition of many animals and aquaculture species. For this reason, the objective of this study is to determine crude protein, crude oil, ash, and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) values, as well as amino acid, fatty acid, and mineral values, utilizing safflower meal is used instead of fish meal and soybean meal, wheat and canola meal as raw material for aquaculture feed. On a dry matter basis, the crude protein, crude oil, and NFE values were found at 19.42% ±0.32, 8.76% 0.21±, 2.84% 0.1± and 62.68% ±0.88 respectively. Safflower meal contains significant arginine, histidine, and phenylalanine levels, with C18:2 n-6 being one of the most abundant fatty acids. According to the fatty acid values examined, the total saturated fatty acid values were to be 9.79%; the total monounsaturated fatty acid values are 27.58%; total n-6 PUFA values are 61.49%; total n-3 fatty acid values are 0.55% and total n-3 HUFA values are 0.22% in safflower oilseed meal. In terms of potassium and magnesium content, similar to soybean meal and fish meal. Safflower oilseed plant meal or oil can be used as complementary raw material in both marine and freshwater fish feeds. At this point, observing the balance of essential amino acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diets and conducting detailed studies would be effective at further closing the gap in this field.