Evaluation of Nutritional Quality of Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) Leaves as an Alternative Protein Source for Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) Nahid Richter, Perumal Siddhuraju, Klaus Becker Department of Aquaculture Systems and Animal Nutrition Institute for Animal Production in the Tropics and Subtropics University of Hohenheim, D-70593 Stuttgart
Introduction Commercial aquafeeds have traditionally been based on fish meal Intensification of fish farming, especially in lesser developed countries Future competition for global supplies of fishmeal is likely to increase The identification and utilisation of alternative protein sources for fish feed formulation is urgently needed
Introduction (con.) Research interest has been directed towards the evaluation and use of unconventional protein sources The present study reports results of inclusion of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves in tilapia feeds
Moringa oleifera Lam. Family Moringaceae Fast-growing, droughtresistant and widely available in the tropics and subtropics Multi-purpose tree with a variety of potential economical, industrial and medicinal uses Leaves: rich in proteins, carotenoids, ascorbic acid and iron Photo: K. Becker
Moringa oleifera Intensive leaf biomass production through densely grown moringa Photo: K. Becker
Material and methods 84fish(Oreochromis niloticus, 9-11g) were randomly selected and assigned to 12 groups of 7 fish (three replicates per treatment) stocked in 12 aquaria (45l) connected to a recirculatory system at 27±1 C Proximate composition of ingredients, diets and fish body were analysed according to AOAC (1990) standard methods
Material and methods Four isonitrogenous and isocalorific diets were formulated to include 35% total dietary protein The fish were fed at 15 g feed per kg metabolic body weight (kg 0.8 ) per day for 7 weeks Statistical analysis: one-way ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range test (p<0.05) were used
Materials and Methods Proximate composition of ingredients (DM %) Parameter Moringa leaf meal Wheat meal Fish meal CP 25.0 13.4 70.6 CL 10.6 1.1 11.8 CA 8.4 1.3 15.7 NDF 15.9 - -
Materials and methods Diet formulation (DM %) Ingredients Control 10% Diet 20% Diet 30% Diet Wheat meal 52 43 34 25 Moringa leaf meal 0 12 24 36 Fish meal 40 37 34 31 Sunflower oil 4 4 4 4 Mineral mix 2 2 2 2 Vitamin mix 2 2 2 2
Results Proximate composition of diets Dry matter (%) 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 control 10% diet 20% diet 30% diet CP CL CA NDF CP, crude protein, CL, crude lipid; CA, crude ash; NDF, neutral detergent fibre
Results Amino acid composition of diets and tilapia s requirements 3.0 Control 10% diet 20% diet 30% diet Tilapia's requirement 2.5 Dry matter (%) 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0 Met+Cys Val Ile Leu Phe+Tyr His Lys Thr Arg Try
Results Antinutrient content of moringa leaves and experimental diets (% DM) Antinutrient Moringa leaf meal 10% diet 20% diet 30% diet Total phenolics 2.7 0.3 0.7 1.0 Tannins 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.2 Condensed tannins Trace - - - TI activity ND - - - Phytic acid 2.3 0.3 0.5 0.8 Saponins 6.4 0.8 1.5 2.3 TI, Trypsin inhibitor; ND, Not detected
Results Average body mass of fish fed experimental diets Control 10% diet 20% diet 30% diet Average body mass (g) 40 30 20 10 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Time (weeks) a ab b b
Results Growth performance of fish fed experimental diets Units 25 20 15 10 5 0 Control 10% diet 20% diet 30% diet a ab bb a a bb b b a a a a b b FO (g) SGR (%) FCR PER FO, feed offered; SGR, specific growth rate; FCR, food conversion ratio; PER, protein efficiency ratio
Results Whole body composition of fish at end of experiment Dry matter (%) 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Control 10% diet 20% diet 30% diet c b ab a a b c a bcd d Moisture CP CL CA GE (KJ g-1) CP, crude protein; CL, crude lipid; CA, crude ash; GE, gross energy.
Results Protein, energy and lipid conversion of fish fed experimental diets Units 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Control 10% diet 20% diet 30% diet b a b c c a c b c c d PPV (%) ER (%) ANLU (%) a PPV, protein productive value; ER, energy retention; ANLU, apparent lipid utilisation.
Results Relationship between hepato-somatic index (HSI) and percentage of moringa leaves in diets HSI (units) 4 3 2 1 0 y = -0.0525x + 3.12 R 2 = 0.89 0 10 20 30 40 Moringa leaf meal content in diet (%) HSI
Results Relationship between relative intestine length (RIL) and percentage of moringa leaves in diets RIL (units) 10 8 6 4 2 0 y = 0.0728x + 5.684 R 2 = 0.98 0 10 20 30 40 Moringa leaf meals content in diet (%) RIL
Conclusions Replacement of 10% of total dietary protein in fish feed is feasible Negative growth might be attributed to the presence of high concentration of saponins, NDF and probably phenolics To make the 30% inclusion level equivalent to the fish meal diet, further work on elimination and/or inactivation of antinutrients is in progress at our Institute
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