High carbohydrate to protein ratio promotes changes in intestinal microbiota and host metabolism in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed plant-based diet

To ensure the sustainability of aquaculture, it is necessary to change the “menu” of carnivorous fish such as rainbow trout from a fish-based diet to one with plant-based ingredients. However, there is a major problem with the growth performance decrease of fish fed with a 100% plant-based diet due to the reduction in feed intake and feed efficiency. For the first time, we incorporated high levels of digestible carbohydrates (high-starch diet) in a 100% plant-based diet during a 12-week feeding trial in order to improve protein utilization for growth (protein sparing effect) and reduce nitrogen waste. We measured the changes in the intestinal microbiota, Short-Chain Fatty Acid (SCFA) levels and metabolic responses in liver. Dietary carbohydrates had a strong effect on alpha and beta diversity and abundance of 12 genera, including Ralstonia and Bacillus in digesta associated microbiota whereas mucosa associated microbiota was less affected. The change in microbial diversity might be linked to the change observed in SCFA production. High levels of Mycoplasma were observed in the intestinal mucosa. Overall, hepatic gene expression was significantly altered by the CHO/protein ratio. Up-regulation of genes involved in glucose metabolism (gcka, gckb, g6pcb2a), down-regulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism (hadh, acox3, srebp2a, and cyp51a) were associated with higher enzymatic activities (such as glucokinase or pyruvate kinase) and higher glycogen levels in the liver, suggesting adequate adaptation to diet. Interestingly, strong correlations were observed between abundances of certain bacterial OTUs and gene expression in the liver. The inclusion of digestible carbohydrates in combination with a 100% plant-based diet, could be a promising way to improve and reduce the use of plant proteins in rainbow trout. In addition, the relationship between intestinal microbiota and host metabolism needs further investigation to better understand fish nutrition.