DOES PORCINE BLOOD MEAL ENHANCE THE REMOVAL POTENTIAL OF FAECAL EFFLUENT PRODUCED BY EUROPEAN SEABASS, Dicentrarchus labrax, WHEN INCLUDED AS A FEED ADDITIVE?

摘要

Porcine blood meal could potentially enhance the physical stability of the faeces by neutralising the negative surface charge of waste particles, thereby encouraging flocculation. It's potential as a flocculant stems from the fact that iron in haemoglobin exists as positively charged ions, the reduced soluble divalent ferrous iron (Fe+2) or oxidized insoluble trivalent ferric iron (Fe+3). Due to the positive charge in both states, it may therefore be expected to result in a greater degree of flocculation by enabling particles to come into closer proximity than under normal conditions. Blood meal was therefore included at 5% inclusion in feeds for European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax, and its effects on faecal stability assessed.