Starfish meal

Description: 

The oyster industry has attempted to alleviate the serious problem of starfish by collecting then on a large scale and converting them into feed. Dried and ground starfish are very high in ash which is rich in calcium. The meal also contains thiaminase, which destroies thiamine, as well as other anti-quality factors therefore the meal should be used with caution. 

Caution:  

Care needs to be taken when feeding starfish meal because of the anti-nutritional factors that it contain. Meal is reported to contain thiaminase. Starfish have been found to contain anti-microbial agents that are stable in a wide range of pHs and at high temperatures (1)(CAB 991200539)(Choi-DonHo, 1999). The toxin ciguatoxin maybe be found in starfish meal (2)(CAB 931462262)(Smith, 1992).

Source:  

Some shell fish producers (oysters, mussel, etc.) harvest starfish to prevent them for damaging the shellfish that they are trying to produce. 

Feeding Experiments:  

It has been used at low levels (5 %) in swine and poultry diets.

Nutrient Characteristics: