Abstract
Gammarus sp. is a promising resource for aquaculture due to its high protein, lipid, and carbohydrate content, along with its environmental purity. This study compared the biochemical composition of gammarus collected from five water bodies in Northern and Eastern Kazakhstan to evaluate its nutritional value and potential for feed industry applications. Protein content in the samples ranged from 40.96% to 50.3%, lipids from 6.57% to 9.20%, and carbohydrates from 13.74% to 21.69%. On average, gammarus had an energy value of 324 kcal/1355 kJ per 100 g of dry weight. In modern aquaculture, finding sustainable and cost-effective protein sources for high-quality feeds is critical. Gammarus is distinguished by its unique composition, which contains rare amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that are either absent or present in trace amounts in fishmeal. Biochemical analysis determined the content of protein, lipid, carbohydrate, ash, and moisture using standard laboratory methods, with energy values calculated based on macronutrient composition. Overall, gammarus proves to be a valuable and sustainable resource for enhancing feed quality in aquaculture, promoting more efficient and eco-friendly feed production.