Apparent digestibility coefficients of Thitonia diversifolia and Cratylia argentea by cachama blanca and its effects on intestinal villi

Abstract

In order to identify new sources of raw protein materials and not compete with human food, was the apparent digestibility coefficients of protein (CDA-P), dry matter (CDA- MS) and energy (CDA-E) of mexican sunflower (BO) Tithonia diversifolia and Cratylia (CR) Cratylia argentea, for cachama blanca Piaractus brachypomus and their effects on intestinal villi were determined. To estimate these coefficients, the indirect method with marker, feces collecting were employed. A hundred and twenty white cachamas (average weight 210g), fed on a diet reference semipurified (DRS) 69.5%, 0.5% inert trace marker ingredient and raw material were evaluated at a level of 30% inclusion. Feces were collected after 10 hours of food supply each hour during 12 hours. To measure the villi, intestine samples were taken at three times of diet consumption: 0, 5 and 10 days. The CDA-P were: 69.42% for Mexican sunflower and 44.84% for cratylia, being statistically differet. As for CDA E, Mexican sunflower 67.37% were higher and statistically different than cratylia 34.27%. Although digestibility values obtained for these raw materials were lower than those reported for raw materials most commonly used in fish feed, the Mexican sunflower approaches to soybean cake. Raw materials caused denudation in the villi during the first few days, however after 10 days the villi started to recuperate its high, showing an adaption of P. brachypomus to the evaluated ingredients.