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Cottonseed meal is being investigated as a potential
ingredient in fish feed because of its high protein content
and the benefit to farmers who are also fish farmers.
The Central Institute of
Fisheries (CIF) has been studying the use of cottonseed cake
instead of groundnut cake in high protein aquaculture feed.
CIF director Dr S C Mukherjee told the All India Cottonseed
Crushers' |
Researchers are focussing on
reducing the percentile content of gossypol in cottonseed
to make it more suitable for fish feed.
(Photo:C Aldrich) |
Association (AICOSCA) annual
general meeting that the potential benefits from using
cottonseed meal were substantial, especially for farmers who
also farm fish.
AICOSCA president Sandeep Bajoria said the association could
work with CIF in carrying out further research to assess the
suitability of cottonseed, writes Business Standard .
Dr D N Bhowmick, professor at
the
Institute of Chemical Technology
(ICT), said research was currently focussing on reducing the
percentile content of gossypol in cottonseed to make it more
suitable for fish feed, as excessive gossypol levels can
have a toxic effect.
According to the
FAO, cottonseed meal is
produced in three protein levels and is classified as low
gossypol if it contains less than 0.04 per cent free
gossypol.
By Helen Roberts
FIS.com |
