Bulk Fish Processing Enzymes for Industry

Alkaline Protease

Fish Protein Hydrolysis for Hydrolyzate & Sauce Production

Function: Alkaline protease is the primary enzyme for fish protein hydrolysis (FPH) — converting whole fish, fish trim, and fish processing by-products into soluble protein hydrolyzates, amino acid concentrates, and bioactive peptides. It operates efficiently at pH 7.5–9.0, degrading myosin, actin, and collagen at rates significantly faster than autolysis or acid hydrolysis.

Typical dosage: 0.1–0.5% w/w of fish substrate. Activity: 100,000–800,000 U/g. Temperature optimum: 45–55°C, pH 7.5–9.0. Hydrolysis time: 2–6 hours for 50–80% degree of hydrolysis. Inactivate by heat (85°C/15 min) or pH adjustment (below 4.0). Recover protein by centrifugation.

Applications: Fish protein hydrolyzate (FPH) for aquaculture feed and pet food, fish sauce acceleration (reduce traditional 12–18 month fermentation to 2–4 weeks), fish silage for fertilizer, bone meal deproteinization, marine collagen hydrolyzate.

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Lipase

Fish Oil Hydrolysis & Omega-3 Enrichment

Function: Lipase hydrolyzes fish oil triglycerides to release free fatty acids including EPA and DHA (omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids). Enzymatic hydrolysis produces a glycerol-free omega-3 concentrate in free fatty acid form — which has higher bioavailability than triglyceride-form omega-3. Also used for flavor modification in fermented fish products (anchovy, shrimp paste).

Typical dosage: 0.05–0.2% w/w of fish oil. Activity: 10,000–100,000 LU/g. Temperature optimum: 30–45°C (lipase is denatured at higher temperatures that degrade omega-3 fatty acids). Contact time: 4–12 hours. Separate FFAs from glycerol by molecular distillation or chromatography.

Applications: Omega-3 free fatty acid concentrate production, fish oil partial hydrolysis for emulsification, fermented fish product flavor development (fish sauce, anchovy paste), fish oil by-product valorization.

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Phytase

Phosphorus Bioavailability in Aquaculture Feed

Function: Phytase degrades phytic acid (inositol hexaphosphate) in plant-based feed ingredients — soybean meal, canola, wheat bran, corn DDGS — releasing the bound phosphorus for fish absorption. Monogastric fish and shellfish have negligible endogenous phytase, so the phosphorus in plant ingredients is largely unavailable without enzyme supplementation. Phytase also releases protein, minerals, and energy bound in the phytate complex.

Typical dosage: 500–1,000 FTU/kg feed (Phytase Units). Add to premix during feed pelleting at ≤70°C (thermostable variant) or coat onto pellet post-pelleting (standard variant). Reduces supplemental dicalcium phosphate requirement by 30–60%, cutting feed cost and reducing effluent phosphorus.

Applications: Salmon, tilapia, shrimp, carp, catfish, and pangasius feeds. Mandatory in environmentally certified aquaculture (ASC, BAP) to reduce phosphorus discharge to waterways. Particularly effective in high-inclusion soybean meal diets.

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Beta-Glucanase

Fiber Digestion for Improved Feed Conversion in Aquaculture

Function: Beta-glucanase degrades beta-1,3 and beta-1,4 glucans in plant-based aquafeed ingredients — particularly barley, oats, and yeast cell walls. These viscous glucans reduce gut transit rate, interfere with nutrient absorption, and increase intestinal mucus production in fish. Beta-glucanase reduces digesta viscosity, improving nutrient absorption and feed conversion ratio (FCR).

Typical dosage: 200–800 U/kg feed. Add at premix stage or to feed ingredients before pelleting. Compatible with phytase and cellulase in multi-enzyme feed supplements.

Applications: Barley and oat-containing aquafeeds, high-inclusion cereal diets for omnivorous species (tilapia, carp, catfish), yeast-supplemented immunostimulant diets for salmonids.

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Cellulase

Plant Fiber Breakdown for Herbivorous & Omnivorous Fish Species

Function: Cellulase degrades cellulose in the cell walls of plant ingredients used in fish feed — soybean meal, alfalfa, wheat bran, and other fibrous materials. Fish and shellfish produce no endogenous cellulase. Exogenous cellulase disrupts plant cell walls, releasing nutrients trapped within, improves dry matter digestibility, and reduces intestinal load of indigestible fiber.

Typical dosage: 1,000–5,000 U/kg feed. Add at premix or ingredient milling stage. Synergistic with beta-glucanase and hemicellulase in multi-carbohydrase blends for maximum fiber breakdown.

Applications: Tilapia, grass carp, silver carp, and other herbivorous/omnivorous species with plant-dominant diets. Shrimp and prawn diets with algae or plant meal inclusions. Also used in abalone and sea urchin feeds (high seaweed inclusion).

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