Nutrient Profile of Commercial Fish Feeds under Different Storage Conditions

Abstract

This study was conducted to give detail account of nutrient deterioration of fish feed under storage in tropical condition. Three popular commercial catfish diet were used for this study namely Coppens ® , Multifeed ® and Vitafeed ® and were stored under open and air tight condition for six month. Proximate composition, mineral composition, Free fatty acid content and peroxide value where monitored monthly during the storage period while mould count and insect infestation where determined at the end of the experiment. The nutrients analysis reveals significantly reduction in storage under open condition compared to storage in air tight conditions, the levels of reduction was also dependent on the different commercial diet investigated. Mould infestation of the feed were noticeable more in the open condition of storage compared to the airtight condition. Insects’ infestation was also noticed in the open storage condition. The insects species identified on the feed were: Gryllus assimilis , Blatta orientalis , solenopsis, germinate, Delia Platura, Phaenicia sericata , Damistid beetle and Larder beetle.