Abstract Chemical and nutritional assessments of Balanite aegyptiaca seed cake used as additives in diets for Clarias gariepinus post juveniles (catfish).

Chemical and nutritional assessments of Balanite aegyptiaca seed cake used as additives in diets for Clarias gariepinus post juveniles (catfish).

Abstract

Abstract

The chemical analysis and nutritional assessment of Balanite aegyptiaca seed cake (BASC) were investigated to evaluate the effect of using BASC as additive at 0 %, 10 %, 20 % and 30 % inclusion levels in catfish diets and performance. Two hundred and twenty-five Clarias gariepinus post juveniles (catfish) with initial weight ranging from 28.06±0.35g to 31.92±0.97g were divided into five experimental groups. Each group with three replicate of fifteen fishes stocked in 40-litre plastic bowls were fed twice a day at 3 % of their body weight with five formulated diets for 56 days. Diets 1 and 2 (standard feed and 0 % BASC) were used are control while diets 3, 4 and 5 containing respectively 10 %, 20 % and 30 % of BASC were the experimental diets. The protein content in the prepared feed increased gradually within the groups due to the high protein content (51.31±0.13%) of BASC. All the fish increased significantly (P≤0.05) in weight, length, nitrogen metabolism, condition factor, survival rate and in other growth parameters above the initial values with the highest percentage in 30% group. Haematological analysis showed a slight increments in the blood parameters (PCV, Hb, RBC WBC and MCHC) except for MCH, MCV and platelets (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in ATP, AST, ALT, globulins and albumin in fish fed on BASC containing diets. Histology showed a mild congestion of the blood vessels in the Kidney of the control and 10 %, a moderate portal congestion and diffuse vacuolar degeneration in the liver of the control and 20%. No significant differences were observed in all gills, heart as well as in the kidney and liver of other experimental fishes. B. aegyptiaca seed cake could be a nutritional source without any toxic effect to Clarias gariepinus post juveniles (catfish).

Key Words: B. aegyptiaca cake, C. gariepinus post juveniles, growth performance, nutritional source