Poultry byproducts and swine liver used in diets for Nile tilapia juveniles

Abstract

This study aimed at evaluating diets containing protein hydrolysate from poultry byproducts and swine liver (PHPPL), at different inclusion levels, for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) juveniles. Seven diets were evaluated, being a negative control (free of both hydrolysate and fishmeal) and positive control (free of hydrolysate but containing fishmeal), besides five diets with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5% inclusion of the mixed protein hydrolysate. Significant effects were observed regarding the animals' final length, with higher values with the 1% inclusion level than the negative control. The liver's quantitative evaluation revealed that inclusions above 3% might lead to severe alterations in the organ's morphology. The use of PHPPL in the diets that did not contain fishmeal has shown to be effective in maintaining the performance parameters of Nile tilapia. Thus, its use is recommended considering an inclusion level of 3%.