Overall performances of Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) associated with using vegetable oil sources under suboptimal temperature

Abstract

The optimum water temperature required for the normal growth of Nile tilapia is 25–30°C. In this study, tilapia was reared under suboptimal temperature (21.50 ± 1.50°C) and fed four diets with fish oil (FO), corn oil (CO), sunflower oil (SFO) and linseed oil (LnO) for 8 weeks. The results revealed improved final weight, average daily gain and intestinal amylase activity in the LnO group compared to FO and SFO groups (p < .05). The feed intake was increased significantly in FO and LnO groups compared to CO and SFO groups, while the feed conversion ratio was increased in the FO group (p < .05). The CO, SFO and LnO diets resulted in higher carcass lipids than fish fed FO, while CO decreased the ash content (p < .05). The growth hormone was significantly lowered by LnO, followed by SFO, while CO improved the serum alkaline phosphatase activity (p < .05). Glutathione peroxidase enhanced in fish fed SFO, while the lowest activities were recorded in fish fed FO (p < .05). Total superoxide dismutase was significantly elevated by CO and LnO when compared with fish fed FO and SFO (p < .05). Substituting FO with vegetable oils had normal intestinal and liver histological appearance. It could be concluded that substituting FO with either CO or LnO for Nile tilapia could maintain the normal growth performance and feed utilization with enhanced antioxidant capacity under suboptimal temperature.