Industrial processing of livestock, poultry and fish produces a large amount of waste in a solid or liquid form that can either be destroyed or be used to make compost, biogas or other low-added value products. However, the by-products fromanimal processing industries have a potential for conversion into useful products of higher value, such as protein hydrolysates, with interesting applications in animal feed. Low amounts of animal protein hydrolysates included in aqua-feeds may enhance growth rate and feed conversion of farmed fish and crustacean. Animal protein hydrolysates may also be incorporated in diets to enhance the nonspecific immunity of fish. Aswell, these hydrolysates can be used as a good source of amino acids for newlyweaned animals. Protein hydrolysates from animal by-products including antimicrobials, antioxidants, opioid-like and/or other interesting bioactive molecules have promising and interesting applications on companion and production animals. By-products from animal processing industries are therefore a promising source of bioactive peptides of considerable interest for animal care, always within the framework of the existing legislation. Possible drawbacks and future trends of the use of animal by-products and/or production of protein hydrolysates fromthosematerials are also discussed.

This review was supported by the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (project AP/038291/11).

Peer Reviewed