Coacervation-based gelatin feed encapsulation: Drying time impacts on feed nutrition

This study investigates the effect of varying drying durations on the physicochemical properties of fish feed encapsulated with gelatin and evaluates its compliance with Indonesian feed quality standards (SNI 8227:2022). Four drying times (5, 10, 15, and 20 hours) were applied, and key parameters analyzed included moisture content, water stability, yield, ash content, protein content, and carbohydrate levels. Results showed moisture contents ranging from 3.5% to 7.0%, water stability between 18 and 101 minutes, yields from 46.97% to 51.31%, ash contents between 13.00% and 14.00%, protein contents ranging from 32.20% to 36.80%, and carbohydrate levels from 19.90% to 26.70%. When compared to standards set, most treatments particularly those with 10 to 20 hours of drying met the quality criteria for fish feed, including acceptable moisture levels (<10%), high protein content (>30%), and sufficient water stability (>60 minutes). Although ash contents approached the recommended maximum threshold (<15%), all treatments remained within acceptable limits. The 10-hour drying treatment yielded the most balanced profile in terms of both physical and chemical characteristics. These findings suggest that gelatin-based encapsulation is a promising strategy to enhance the quality and sustainability of formulated diets, particularly for omnivorous fish species.