This research project demonstrated that feed constituents that interfere with bile acid recycling can cause major disruption of bile acid metabolism. Results were inconclusive, as to the potential confounding effect of dietary soybean meal on taurine metabolism in fish. Soy proteins do not contain taurine, whereas animal or fish-derived feed ingredients are rich sources of taurine. Green liver disease, found in yellowtail and red sea bream, is associated with impaired bile acid metabolism, increased production of hemolytic biliverdin and reduced excretion of bile pigments from the liver into bile. This condition is corrected by dietary supplementation of taurine or bile salts.

Key Audience:
Aquaculture nutritionists, aquaculture feed producers, fish producers