Post-prandial changes in plasma mineral levels in rainbow trout fed a complete plant ingredient based diet and the effect of supplemental di-calcium phosphate

Abstract Post-prandial changes in plasma mineral levels and utilisation of minerals in rainbow trout fed complete plant ingredient based diets with or without supplemental di-calcium phosphate (DCP) were studied over an 8 week period. Three diets were used: diet M was FM and fish oil (FO) based diet (control); diets VP0 and VP + (V diets) were completely based on plant derived protein and lipid sources. One of the V diets (VP +) was supplemented with DCP to supply 5 g kg − 1 dry matter available phosphorus (P); while the other diet (VP0) was not supplemented with DCP. Change in dietary protein source significantly affected the post-prandial pattern in plasma levels of P (p   0.05). Based on measurement of apparent digestibility, growth and whole body composition analyses, mineral balances were established showing that supplementation of DCP led to significant increase in whole body P concentration and P retention in VP +, comparable to fish fed diet M with significantly (p