Evaluation of raw and hydrothermically processed Prosopis juliflora seed meal as supplementary feed for the growth of Labeo rohita fingerlings

Abstract

Hydrothermically processed Prosopis juliflora (PJ) seed meal as a supplementary diet for Labeo rohita is found to be rich in protein (330 g kg−1) having antinutritional factors in permissible limits and containing essential amino acids adequately except lysine, methionine and cysteine. Ten iso-nitrogenous and iso-energetic diets with crude, soaked and autoclaved seed meal at 20%, 35% and 50% replacement of fish meal were tested (D1–D9, respectively). The growth of fish (weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio) fed diet D4 (soaked seed meal at 20% replacement) was higher among the test diets, but lower than reference diet (RD). Diets with 50% seed meal resulted in lowering of growth, carcass composition, digestive enzyme activity and digestibility compared to test diets at 20% and 35% inclusion levels in the respective groups. Hydrothermically processed seed meal improved the growth compared to unprocessed one, though not up to RD level. This could be because of amino acid imbalance and presence of non-starch polysaccharides in seed meal. Looking to the easy availability and its nutritional quality, processed PJ seed meal can be incorporated in carp diet at lower inclusion level.