M. Longshaw;B. Quest;W. Miller;P. M. Oba;O. R. Swanson;K. S. Swanson;K. Miller
In: Animals, vol. 15, no. 13, pp. 1975, 2025, ISSN: 2076-2615.
Pet nutrition Animal health Clinical nutrition Market entry Peer review
@article{longshaw_safety_2025,
title = {The Safety of FeedKind Pet® (Methylococcus capsulatus, Bath) as a Cultured Protein Source in the Diet of Adult Dogs and Its Effect on Feed Digestibility, Fecal Microbiome, and Health Status},
author = {Matt Longshaw and Bradley Quest and Walt Miller and Patricia M. Oba and Olivia R. Swanson and Kelly S. Swanson and Kathryn Miller},
url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12249425/},
doi = {10.3390/ani15131975},
issn = {2076-2615},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
urldate = {2025-07-24},
journal = {Animals},
volume = {15},
number = {13},
pages = {1975},
abstract = {Thirty-two beagles were fed diets containing up to 8% cultured protein for six months, then fed control diets for a further two months. The safety of the protein was assessed by measuring blood and urine parameters as well as the growth of the dogs. Additionally, the intestinal microbiome was shown to be positively influenced by the cultured protein. The diets were well tolerated by the dogs with no reduction in feed intake and were readily digested, providing all of the essential nutrients required. The study showed that FeedKind Pet® is safe as a protein source for dogs and can be included at up to 8% of the total diet with no harmful side effects., Thirty-two healthy adult dogs (16 males and 16 females) were fed control kibble diets for one month, followed by six months (Weeks 0 to 25) of diets containing either 0, 4, 6, or 8% cultured protein derived from Methylococcus capsulatus (FeedKind Pet®, FK), then they were fed control diets (0% FK) for a further two months (Weeks 25 to 34). The diets were isonitrogenous, isolipidic, and isocaloric and stage- and age-specific. The dogs were assessed for overall health, weight gain, and body condition score (BCS). Blood samples were collected 1 week prior to randomization, during acclimation, then in Weeks 5, 13, 25, 30, 32, and 34 for hematology, coagulation, and clinical chemistry; urine was collected according to the same time schedule for urinalysis. Feces were assessed for parasite load and presence of occult blood during Weeks 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, and 25. Fecal samples were collected during acclimation and Weeks 25 and 34 for fecal microbiome analysis and in Week 25 for apparent total gastrointestinal tract digestibility (ATTD). All dogs maintained a healthy weight and BCS throughout the study. Hematology parameters were within normal limits at the end of each phase of the study. With the exception of a decrease in serum phosphorus level and in urine pH in all groups at the end of the study, urine and serum chemistry results were within normal limits at the end of each phase. ATTD values for organic matter, protein, and energy exceeded 80%, whilst digestibility values for copper were around 20%. The fecal microbiome was dominated by Firmicutes. Alpha diversity increased during the safety phase before returning to baseline levels during the washout phase. The dominant genera in all groups were Megamonas, Peptoclostridium, Turicibacter, Catenibacterium, Fusobacterium, Romboutsia, and Blautia. The study has shown that the inclusion of cultured protein at up to 8% of the total diet of adult dogs can provide sufficient nutrition and is safe with no long-term effects on a range of health parameters.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
M. Longshaw;J. Wang;J. Zhang;W. Liang;X. Dong;Q. Yang;H. Liu;J. Deng;B. Tan;S. Chi
In: Animal Nutrition, vol. 22, pp. 321–336, 2025, ISSN: 2405-6545.
Fish nutrition Clinical nutrition Peer review
@article{zhang_methanotroph_2025,
title = {Methanotroph (Methylococcus capsulatus) bacteria meal, influences the intestinal microbiome, and improves intestinal barrier function and immunity in hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscointestinetatus ♀ × E. lanceolatus ♂)},
author = {Jiacheng Zhang and Weixing Liang and Jia Wang and Matt Longshaw and Xiaohui Dong and Qihui Yang and Hongyu Liu and Junming Deng and Beiping Tan and Shuyan Chi},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405654525000952},
doi = {10.1016/j.aninu.2025.03.020},
issn = {2405-6545},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-01},
urldate = {2025-08-18},
journal = {Animal Nutrition},
volume = {22},
pages = {321–336},
abstract = {The hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscointestinetatus ♀ × E. lanceolatus ♂) is an important aquaculture marine species in China. The current study was designed to test the effects of methanotroph (Methylococcus capsulatus) bacteria meal (MBM) on hybrid grouper growth and intestinal health outcomes. Five iso-nitrogenous and iso-lipidic diets were formulated, comprising a control diet (MBM0) with 400 g/kg fish meal (FM) as the main protein source, and four experimental diets, in which FM was replaced at 5% (MBM2), 10% (MBM4), 20% (MBM8) and 30% (MBM12) with 20, 40, 80 and 120 g/kg of MBM, respectively. The 450 healthy juvenile hybrid grouper (initial weight 28.84 ± 0.05 g) were randomly allocated into five groups, with three replicates in each group and 30 fish in each replicate. They were fed for eight weeks prior to being sampled for transcriptome and microbiome research. The final body weight (FBW, P < 0.001) and weight gain rate (WGR, P < 0.001) were obviously enhanced in MBM2 and MBM8 groups compared to MBM0 group, and the specific growth rate (SGR) in the MBM2 and MBM8 groups were significantly enhanced compared to MBM0 group (P < 0.001). The condition factor (CF) in MBM4 and MBM8 groups were considerably reduced than that in MBM0 group (P = 0.008). The hepatosomatic index (HSI) in MBM8 and MBM12 groups were obviously enhanced than that in the other groups (P < 0.001). In the intestinal microflora analysis, the number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) exhibited a significant linear increase with increasing MBM replacement ratio (P = 0.015). Concurrently, the richness of bacterial families and genera showed significant linear enrichment (P = 0.023 and P = 0.028, respectively). There was a decrease in the relative abundance of the potentially pathogenic genera Photobacterium and Vibrio in the MBM-fed groups compared with the control group. The study has effectively shown that MBM may significantly enhance the health and growth of hybrid groupers by partially replacing FM in diets at the required amount of 3.70%, as determined by WGR regression analysis.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Replacement of fishmeal with a microbial single-cell protein induced enteropathy and poor growth outcomes in barramundi (Lates calcarifer) fry Journal Article
M. Longshaw;F. Samsing;R. Sullivan;H. Truong;A. Robenso;C. R. Sangster;J. Bannister;J. A. Becker
In: Journal of Fish Diseases, vol. 47, no. 9, pp. e13985, 2024, ISSN: 1365-2761, (_eprint: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jfd.13985).
Fish nutrition Clinical nutrition Peer review
@article{samsing_replacement_2024,
title = {Replacement of fishmeal with a microbial single-cell protein induced enteropathy and poor growth outcomes in barramundi (Lates calcarifer) fry},
author = {Francisca Samsing and Roisin Sullivan and Ha Truong and Artur Robenso and Cheryl R. Sangster and Jo Bannister and Matt Longshaw and Joy A. Becker},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jfd.13985},
doi = {10.1111/jfd.13985},
issn = {1365-2761},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
urldate = {2024-06-26},
journal = {Journal of Fish Diseases},
volume = {47},
number = {9},
pages = {e13985},
abstract = {Fish meal (FM) replacement is essential for the sustainable expansion of aquaculture. This study focussed on the feasibility of replacing FM with a single-cell protein (SCP) derived from methanotrophic bacteria (Methylococcus capsulatus, Bath) in barramundi fry (Lates calcarifer). Three isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated with 0%, 6.4% and 12.9% inclusion of the SCP, replacing FM by 0%, 25% and 50%. Barramundi fry (initial body weight 2.5 ± 0.1 g) were fed experimental diets for 21 days to assess growth performance, gut microbiome composition and gut histopathology. Our findings revealed that both levels of SCP inclusion induced detrimental effects in barramundi fry, including impaired growth and reduced survival compared with the control group (66.7% and 71.7% survival in diets replacing FM with SCP by 25% and 50%, respectively; p < .05). Both dietary treatments presented mild necrotizing enteritis with subepithelial oedema and accumulation of PAS positive, diastase resistant droplets within hepatocytes (ceroid hepatopathy) and pancreatic atrophy. Microbiome analysis revealed a marked shift in the gut microbial community with the expansion of potential opportunistic bacteria in the genus Aeromonas. Reduced overall performance in the highest inclusion level (50% SCP) was primarily associated with reduced feed intake, likely related to palatability issues, albeit pathological changes observed in gut and liver may also play a role. Our study highlights the importance of meticulous optimization of SCP inclusion levels in aquafeed formulations, and the need for species and life-stage specific assessments to ensure the health and welfare of fish in sustainable aquaculture practices.},
note = {_eprint: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jfd.13985},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
M. Longshaw;K. Chen;G. Sagada;B. Xu;Y. Liu;L. Zheng;A. F. Tegomo;Y. Yang;Y. Sun;J. Wang;et al.
In: Aquaculture International, vol. 30, no. 4, pp. 1693–1710, 2022, ISSN: 1573-143X.
Fish nutrition Clinical nutrition Peer review
@article{chen_evaluation_2022,
title = {Evaluation of methanotroph (Methylococcus capsulatus, Bath) bacteria meal as an alternative protein source for growth performance, digestive enzymes, and health status of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)},
author = {Kai Chen and Gladstone Sagada and Bingying Xu and Yuechong Liu and Lu Zheng and Arnaud Fabrice Tegomo and Yifei Yang and Yuxiao Sun and Jia Wang and Matt Longshaw and Qingjun Shao},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-022-00869-9},
doi = {10.1007/s10499-022-00869-9},
issn = {1573-143X},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-08-01},
urldate = {2023-02-27},
journal = {Aquaculture International},
volume = {30},
number = {4},
pages = {1693–1710},
abstract = {The increasing cost of fishmeal (FM) with limited supply and the continuous development of aquaculture necessitate more economical FM substitutes. This study aimed to appraise the effects of dietary methanotroph (Methylococcus capsulatus, Bath) bacteria meal, a kind of methane-utilizing bacteria protein (MBP), replacing fishmeal on the growth and feed utilization, serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant status, and digestive enzyme activities of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Seven isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were designed with 0%, 6.89%, 13.92%, 21.09%, 28.40%, 35.85%, and 43.46% MBP replacing FM, and fed to Pacific white shrimp (mean initial weight 0.27 ± 0.02 g) for 8 weeks. The shrimp fed with 28.40%, 35.85%, and 43.46% MBP diets showed significantly higher weight gain and specific growth rate compared to the control group (P < 0.05), while the other MBP diets had no significant effect on the growth performance (P > 0.05). No statistical differences were found in the activities of digestive enzymes in the stomach, hepatopancreas, and midgut among shrimp fed the dietary treatments (P > 0.05). Furthermore, antioxidant parameters in serum and hepatopancreas showed no significant differences among all the groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, it was revealed that MBP replacing from 28.40 to 43.46% FM in the diet with appropriate supplementation of essential amino acids significantly improved the growth of Pacific white shrimp without adverse effects on feed utilization, digestive enzyme activities, physiological condition, and antioxidant status. This study provides a reference for replacing FM with MBP in the diet of Pacific white shrimp.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
M. Longshaw;J. Wang;B. Guo;X. He;C. Ge;M. Xue;J. Wang;X. Liang
In: Antioxidants, vol. 11, no. 8, pp. 1479, 2022, ISSN: 2076-3921, (Number: 8).
Fish nutrition Clinical nutrition Peer review
@article{guo_natural_2022,
title = {A Natural Gas Fermentation Bacterial Meal (FeedKind®) as a Functional Alternative Ingredient for Fishmeal in Diet of Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides},
author = {Boyuan Guo and Xia He and Chunyu Ge and Min Xue and Jia Wang and Matt Longshaw and Jie Wang and Xiaofang Liang},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/11/8/1479},
doi = {10.3390/antiox11081479},
issn = {2076-3921},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-08-01},
urldate = {2023-02-27},
journal = {Antioxidants},
volume = {11},
number = {8},
pages = {1479},
publisher = {Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute},
abstract = {A 10-week growth study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a natural gas fermentation bacterial meal (FeedKind®, FK) as a fishmeal (FM) alternative in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) (48.0 ± 0.03 g). Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated including one commercial control (C, 42% FM) and three experimental diets with gradient FK of 3% (FK3, 29%FM), 6% (FK6, 26%FM) and 9% (FK9, 23%FM), respectively. FK-fed groups showed significantly higher SR than that of C group. The WGR and SGR of fish fed FK3 and FK6 were significantly higher than those of FK9, but not statistical different from the C group. FK-fed groups showed higher apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter and nutrients. Further, FK-fed groups increased the ratio of SOD/MDA in the plasma and liver, and the upregulation of intestinal Keap1 and downregulation of HIF1α was found in FK3. Furthermore, FK-fed groups showed higher microbial richness and diversity. Pearson correlation analysis found that antioxidant relevant biomarkers were negatively correlated with the relative abundance of certain potential beneficial bacteria. In conclusion, supplemented up to 3–6% FK replacing FM in a low FM diet of largemouth bass could increase growth, survival rate, antioxidant capacity, and improve gut microbiota.},
note = {Number: 8},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
M. Longshaw;J. Wang;H. Yu;H. Liang;X. Ge;M. Ren;L. Zhang
In: Animal Feed Science and Technology, vol. 288, pp. 115293, 2022, ISSN: 0377-8401.
Fish nutrition Animal health Clinical nutrition Peer review
@article{yu_methanotroph_2022,
title = {Methanotroph (Methylococcus capsulatus, Bath) bacteria meal (FeedKind®) could effectively improve the growth, apparent digestibility coefficient, blood biochemical parameters, antioxidant indices of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)},
author = {Heng Yu and Hualiang Liang and Matt Longshaw and Jia Wang and Xianping Ge and Mingchun Ren and Lu Zhang},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0377840122000918},
doi = {10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2022.115293},
issn = {0377-8401},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-04-01},
urldate = {2022-04-21},
journal = {Animal Feed Science and Technology},
volume = {288},
pages = {115293},
abstract = {A 10-week growth study was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with different levels of Methylococcus capsulatus (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%) meal on the growth, digestibility, intestinal development and serum biochemical indices of juvenile Jian carp. The present results showed that compared to the control group (0% M. capsulatus meal), 6%, 8%, and 10% M. capsulatus meal significantly improved the final average weight (FW), weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR), and decreased feed conversion rate (FCR). No significant difference was found in the survival rate (SR) in the treatment groups, and SR of each group was more than 95%. Jian carp had relatively high apparent digestibility of diets containing M. capsulatus meal, the apparent digestibility coefficient of Jian carp for dry matter, crude protein, crude lipid, energy and amino acid of M. capsulatus meal was 70.85%, 90.68%, 67.68%, 80.82%, and 88.00-91.17%, respectively. The addition of M. capsulatus meal had no adverse effect in the intestinal tissue of Jian carp juveniles, and 8% M. capsulatus meal significantly increased the villus width compared with the control group. Improved serum biochemical indices and increased antioxidant capacity of fish was noted in fish fed diets containing M. capsulatus meal. Replacement of M. capsulatus meal at the 6% level significantly decreased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity compared to the control group. The blood glucose (GLU) of all treatment groups had a decreasing trend, and the 8% and 10% M. capsulatus meal diets had significant effects on GLU content. Compared to the control group, 6%, 8%, and 10% M. capsulatus meal significantly decreased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) content. Compared to the control group, 6% and 8% M. capsulatus meal diets significantly increased serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) of Jian carp, and 8% M. capsulatus meal diet significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) activity. The study has demonstrated that the replacement of SBM with Methylococcus capsulatus shows promise as an alternative protein source in the aquaculture industry.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
M. Longshaw;J. Wang;H. Liang;X. Ge;M. Ren;Q. Zhang;J. Zhu;S. Li
In: Fish & Shellfish Immunology, vol. 122, pp. 298–305, 2022, ISSN: 1050-4648.
Fish nutrition Clinical nutrition Peer review
@article{zhang_effects_2022,
title = {Effects of replacing fishmeal with methanotroph (Methylococcus capsulatus, Bath) bacteria meal (FeedKind®) on growth and intestinal health status of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)},
author = {Qile Zhang and Hualiang Liang and Matt Longshaw and Jia Wang and Xianping Ge and Jian Zhu and Songlin Li and Mingchun Ren},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1050464822000705},
doi = {10.1016/j.fsi.2022.02.008},
issn = {1050-4648},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-03-01},
urldate = {2022-02-17},
journal = {Fish & Shellfish Immunology},
volume = {122},
pages = {298–305},
abstract = {A ten-week feeding trial evaluated the feasibility of methanotroph (Methylococcus capsulatus) bacteria meal (FeedKind®, FK) as a fishmeal substitute in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) diets. Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets with different inclusion levels of FK (0 (fishmeal group), 43, 86, 129, 172 and 215 g/kg) were formulated to replace 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 g/kg fishmeal, respectively. The results showed that FK inclusion level could reach 129 g/kg without significantly affecting growth or feed coefficient rate (P > 0.05), while growth performance was decreased and feed coefficient rate increased when FK inclusion levels exceeded 129 g/kg (P < 0.05). Increase in FK inclusion levels tended to reduce plasma total cholesterol and total triglyceride whilst plasma total protein, albumin, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in FK treatment groups were unchanged compared with fishmeal group (P > 0.05). FK inclusion levels at 43 g/kg and 86 g/kg were not detrimental to intestinal morphology whilst it was unfavourable when FK inclusion levels exceeded 86 g/kg as the total length of intestinal wall thickness and villus height, villus height were obviously decreased compared with fishmeal group (P < 0.05). As regards to inflammatory cytokine genes, FK instead of fishmeal increased the expression levels of TLR2, RelA, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10 and TGF-β, 43 g/kg and 86 g/kg FK decreased the expression level of Caspase-3 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, 129 g/kg FK can replace 150 g/kg fishmeal without negative effects on the growth performance, and replacing 100 g/kg fishmeal with 86 g/kg FK is more beneficial to intestinal health.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
