Utilization and nutrient digestibility of mango seeds and palm kernel meal by juvenile Labeo senegalensis (Antheriniformes: Cyprinidae)

Abstract

In the present study, utilization and nutrient digestibility of mango seeds and palm kernel meal by juvenile Labeo senegalensis (Antheriniformes: Cyprinidae) were investigated under laboratory conditions. The two ingredients were incorporated at separate levels of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30%. The feeding period lasted for 12 weeks. In general, best growth and feeding performance was obtained with the control diet (0% of mango seeds and palm kernel meal), but results were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from those obtained with the 10% palm kernel meal inclusion level. Weight gain of fish fed all diets was above 120%. With the exception of the 20% and 30% mango seed inclusion level, the specific growth rate (SGR) of the fish was above 1% day−1. The protein productive values were not significantly (P > 0.05) different between the experimental diets. Protein and carbohydrate digestibility was above 86% and 45%, respectively, in all diets. Proximate composition of fish carcass, hepato-somatic index, liver glycogen and plasma glucose after the feeding trials revealed no evidence of nutritional pathology. It was concluded, that at appropriate levels, palm kernel meal and, to a lesser extent, mango seeds can be incorporated into diets of juvenile L. senegalensis without significant depression of growth and health of the fish.