Can Squid Liver Powder be Used as Feed

Introduction

Can squid liver powder be used as feed? The answer is yes. As a high-quality raw material for aquatic and livestock feed, squid liver powder, with its rich nutritional components and unique palatability-enhancing effect, occupies an important position in the global feed industry. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of squid liver powder from its definition, feed applications, core functions, and advantages, and recommend a professional raw material export manufacturer – Xi'an SOST Biotech Co., Ltd. – to help you choose high-quality squid liver powder products.

 

What is Squid Liver Powder?

 

Squid liver powder is a dark brown powder product made from the liver by-products generated during squid processing, through low-temperature drying and fine grinding processes. According to the patent description of Ningbo Chaoxing Marine Biological Products Co., Ltd., the traditional process uses 55 parts of fresh squid liver, which is self-digested by endogenous enzymes into polypeptides and releases fatty acids, and then a self-digestion accelerator is added to speed up the degradation process.

After improvements in modern technology, the proportion of fresh squid liver has been increased to 75 parts, significantly improving the product's palatability-enhancing effect. Typical nutritional components include:

● Crude protein: ≥45%

● Crude fat: ≥15%

● Moisture: ≤10%

● Acid value: ≤50 mg/KOH

● Cholesterol: Rich in content, crucial for crustaceans

In addition, squid liver powder is rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as DHA and EPA, as well as bioactive substances such as taurine and free amino acids.

 

Can Squid Liver Powder be Used in Feed?

 

Squid liver powder can not only be used in feed, but it has also been recognized as a safe and effective functional raw material by feed regulations in many countries worldwide. Its applications cover:

1. Aquatic Feed

Shrimp feed: As a palatability enhancer and cholesterol source, promoting molting and growth.

Fish feed: Used for marine fish such as salmon, sea bass, and grouper, as well as freshwater fish.

Larval feed: As a key component of micro-particle feed, improving larval survival rate.

 

2. Livestock and Poultry Feed

Poultry feed: Used in the production of functional poultry eggs rich in DHA and EPA.

Pig feed: Improves meat quality, flavor, and nutritional value.

 

3. Special Breeding

Pet food, fur animal feed, etc.

Studies have shown that cadmium-treated squid offal powder can replace up to 60% of sardine meal in black grouper feed without affecting growth performance, confirming its safety and effectiveness in feed.

 

The Core Role of Squid Liver Powder in Feed

 

1. Powerful Palatability Enhancer

Squid liver powder is rich in squid protein peptides and fatty acids with a molecular weight of 1000-1500 Daltons. These active ingredients are positively correlated with the palatability effect. Its unique seafood flavor significantly improves feed palatability and increases feed intake in aquatic animals, especially in plant protein-based feeds.

 

2. Nutritional Enhancement Function

Protein supplement: Crude protein content ≥45%, balanced amino acid composition, with a balance index of 0.96, comparable to high-quality fish meal.

Source of essential fatty acids: DHA and EPA content is significantly higher than fish oil, and the DHA/EPA ratio is more optimal, which is beneficial for the development of marine fish larvae.

Cholesterol supply: Crustaceans cannot synthesize cholesterol, and squid liver powder is a natural source of cholesterol, supporting molting and growth.

 

3. Promoting Growth and Development

Adding 1% squid by-product hydrolysate to black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) feed can significantly improve growth performance, feed conversion rate, and nutrient retention rate, increase muscle fiber area, and promote hypertrophic growth. Adding squid liver powder to golden spotted rabbitfish broodstock feed increased the amino acid content in the gonads by 63.8%, significantly improving reproductive performance. 4. Enhanced Immunity

The active peptides and taurine in squid liver powder can regulate intestinal flora, upregulate the expression of muscle growth-related genes, and simultaneously inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory genes in the intestines, thereby enhancing the non-specific immune function of animals.

 

Unique Advantages of Squid Liver Powder as a Feed Ingredient

 

1. Resource Sustainability

Squid processing generates a large amount of visceral by-products. Converting them into high-value feed ingredients aligns with the concept of a circular economy and reduces environmental pollution. The FAO report points out that developing aquatic processing by-products is an important direction for improving resource utilization.

 

2. Cost-Effectiveness Advantage

Compared with imported fish meal, squid liver powder is more competitively priced. Ningbo Chaoxing's products have replaced similar products from Japan and South Korea with their high quality and low price, and have been listed as a National Torch Program project. Its reasonable use in feed formulations can reduce formulation costs by 10-15%.

 

3. Multifunctional Properties

It possesses multiple functions including nutrition, palatability enhancement, and immune regulation, which can reduce the use of other additives in feed and simplify formula design.

 

4. Quality Stability

Modern production processes strictly control acid value and microbiological indicators (free of antibiotics, melamine, E. coli, and Salmonella), resulting in product stability superior to some traditional animal protein sources.

 

5. Broad Export Market

Global aquaculture continues to grow, leading to strong demand for high-quality protein sources. South Korea, Southeast Asia, and Europe have a large demand for squid liver powder, making it an advantageous product for raw material export.

 

How to Choose a High-Quality Squid Liver Powder Supplier?

 

When choosing a squid liver powder supplier, the following should be considered:

♦ Raw material source: Whether fresh squid liver is used

♦ Production process: Whether advanced technologies such as low-temperature drying and enzymatic hydrolysis are employed

♦ Quality control: Whether there are strict microbiological and heavy metal testing procedures

♦ Export qualifications: Whether the supplier has international certifications and export experience

♦ Technical support: Whether professional formula advice can be provided

 

For feed companies seeking raw material export partners, choosing a manufacturer with professional extraction equipment, a safe production system, and extensive export experience is crucial.

 

Xi'an SOST Biotech Co., Ltd.: Your Professional Squid Liver Powder Raw Material Partner

 

As a raw material manufacturer with many years of experience in the biotechnology field, Xi'an SOST Biotech Co., Ltd. is committed to providing high-quality squid liver powder raw materials to the global feed industry.

 

Core Advantages

1. Advanced Extraction Equipment

The company is equipped with internationally leading low-temperature vacuum drying systems, enzymatic reaction vessels, and ultra-fine grinding equipment, ensuring that heat-sensitive nutrients (such as DHA and EPA) in the squid liver powder are not destroyed, preserving maximum biological activity.

 

2. Strict Quality Control System

Raw Material Acceptance: 100% fresh squid liver, traceable to the source

Production Process: GMP standard workshop, HACCP system management

Finished Product Testing: Each batch is tested for crude protein, crude fat, acid value, moisture, heavy metals, microorganisms, and other indicators.

Product Standards: Complies with China GB 13078 feed hygiene standards and relevant EU and FDA regulations.

 

3. Secure Export Guarantee

International Certification: Passed ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 certifications, and the products are HALAL and Kosher certified.

Export Experience: Products are exported to more than 30 countries and regions in Southeast Asia, South America, and Europe.

Logistics Services: Professional export packaging, providing sea and air door-to-door services.

Compliance Support: Assisting with registration and commodity inspection procedures in the importing country.

 

4. Customized Solutions

Providing different specifications of products according to the nutritional needs of different aquatic animals.

Supporting OEM/ODM customized processing.

Providing technical formula support and application guidance.

 

5. Stable Supply Capacity

Annual production capacity of 5000 tons.

Strategic raw material cooperation ensures stable supply.

Sufficient inventory and short delivery time.

Product Specification Highlights

Crude Protein: 45-50%

Crude Fat: 15-20%

Cholesterol Content: ≥2%

Total DHA+EPA: ≥5%

Low acid value, good oxidation stability.

 

Choosing SOST Biotech means choosing quality, professionalism, and trust. We are not only a raw material supplier but also a strategic partner for your business growth.

 

Contact Us:

Email: info@sostherbusa.com

Website: www.sostherb.com

 

Conclusion

Squid liver powder, as a highly efficient and sustainable feed ingredient, demonstrates irreplaceable value in aquaculture and livestock farming. Its rich nutritional components, significant palatability, and cost advantages make it an ideal choice for modern feed formulations. For companies seeking high-quality squid liver powder raw materials, Xi'an Sost Biotechnology Co., Ltd., with its professional extraction equipment, stringent quality management, and extensive export experience, is a trustworthy partner. Please contact us at info@sostherbusa.com to discuss cooperation opportunities.

 

References

: US Patent. (2010). Bioproduction of hydrolysate from squid processing byproducts for aquaculture feed ingredient. US20100175441A1. https://patents.google.com/patent/US20100175441A1/en

: Lam Tak. (2025). Enhance Fish & Shrimp Feed Efficiency with Korea Squid Liver Powder. https://www.lamtak.com/enhance-fish-shrimp-feed-efficiency-with-korea-squid-liver-powder/

: QD Haidabaichuan. (2025). Squid Meal Feed Raw Material, Suitable for Fish, Shrimp, Livestock Products. Made-in-China.com. https://qd-haidabaichuan.en.made-in-china.com/product/NGmRXDpoqtUg/