Utilization and nutrient digestibility of mango seeds and palm kernel meal by juvenile Labeo senegalensis (Antheriniformes: Cyprinidae)
Aquaculture
Research, 32(9): 681-687
Abstract:
In the present study, utilization and nutrient
digestibility of mango seeds and palm kernel meal by juvenile Labeo
senegalensis (Antheriniformes: Cyprinidae) were investigated under
laboratory conditions. The two ingredients were incorporated at separate
levels of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30%. The feeding period lasted for 12 weeks.
In general, best growth and feeding performance was obtained with the
control diet (0% of mango seeds and palm kernel meal), but results were not
significantly different (P > 0.05) from those obtained
with the 10% palm kernel meal inclusion level. Weight gain of fish fed all
diets was above 120%. With the exception of the 20% and 30% mango seed
inclusion level, the specific growth rate (SGR) of the fish was above 1% day-1.
The protein productive values were not significantly (P > 0.05)
different between the experimental diets. Protein and carbohydrate
digestibility was above 86% and 45%, respectively, in all diets. Proximate
composition of fish carcass, hepato-somatic index, liver glycogen and plasma
glucose after the feeding trials revealed no evidence of nutritional
pathology. It was concluded, that at appropriate levels, palm kernel meal
and, to a lesser extent, mango seeds can be incorporated into diets of
juvenile L. senegalensis without significant depression of growth and
health of the fish.
(Fisheries Research Unit, Department of Zoology,
University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria. E-mail: omoregie@unijos.edu.ng)