Fish meal is a type of protein-rich animal feed that is made from fish. The following are the general steps involved in fish meal making:
The fish are first cooked to coagulate the proteins and inactivate enzymes. This is done by steaming or boiling the fish in water.
The cooked fish are then pressed to remove the water and oil. This is typically done using a mechanical press, which squeezes out the liquids and leaves behind a solid cake.
The pressed fish cake is then dried to remove any remaining moisture. This is typically done using a dryer, which uses hot air to evaporate the water. The dried fish cake is called fishmeal.
The fishmeal is then ground into a fine powder. This is typically done using a machine such as a hammer mill or a disc mill. Grinding is important as it makes the fishmeal more digestible and easier to handle.
Finally, the fishmeal is tested for quality, including protein content, fat content, and microbiological safety. Testing may involve using a spectrophotometer, which measures the protein content of the sample, or microbiological testing.
The machinery used in fish meal making can vary depending on the specific process and the scale of production. A mechanical press may be used for pressing, while a dryer can be used for drying. Other equipment that may be used includes grinders or mills for grinding, and testing equipment for quality control.