Incorporation Of Meal Research Articles

Incorporation of Groundnut Meal in Selected Products after Removal of Aflatoxin

KEYWORDS Aflatoxin. Groundnut Meal. Malnutrition. Novel Protein Source. Value Addition ABSTRACT Groundnut meal is the high protein by-product remaining after commercial extraction of peanut oil. Groundnut meal applications are limited because of typical high concentrations of aflatoxin. In the present study technology was developed to prepare protein rich powder from an oil extracted groundnut. To make the meal free from aflatoxin four treatments were employed viz. ether treatment, heat treatment, acid-alkali treatment and homestead acid-alkali treatment. After each treatment, the powder was subjected to analysis of protein and aflatoxin and acceptability for sensory characteristics. A reduction ranged from 17.86 to 100 percent of aflatoxin and 29.17 to 70.47 percent of protein. A comparative evaluation of four powders indicated that homestead acid alkali treatment is free from aflatoxin and containing 10.09gm of protein. This powder was incorporated in three products, that is, batti, besan laddu, and sweet biscuits at 35 and 50 percent level. Acceptability was assessed on 9 point hedonic rating scale. The mean overall acceptability of reference, 35 percent and 50 percent incorporated batti were 8.1, 7.2 and 6.3, besan laddu 8.0, 7.3 and 6.8 sweet biscuits 7.6, 7.4 and 6.5 respectively, revealing that the developed powder is acceptable at moderate level in various products. No significant difference (P>0.05) was found between reference and 35 percent incorporated product and between 35 and 50 percent incorporated products. However, the 50 percent incorporated product scored significantly lower than the reference, specifically for colour and appearance. The study concluded that aflatoxin can be removed from groundnut meal and further, can be used in different recipes as protein source.

Intake, nutrient utilization, rumen fermentation, microbial hydrolytic enzymes and hemato-biochemical attributes of lactating goats fed concentrate containing Brassica juncea oil meal

The effect of incorporation of Brassica juncea oil meal (BJM) was evaluated on intake, nutrient utilization, performance, rumen fermentation, microbial hydrolytic enzymes and hemato-biochemical attributes of Jamunapari goats in a 60 days feeding experiment. Eighty lactating goats during the 2nd week of lactation were randomly divided into 4 equal groups and were allocated to one of the four concentrate pellets. Animals of control group (BJM-0) received concentrate pellets with expeller extracted linseed oil meal (LSM; 300g/kg). The LSM was replaced (w/w) by BJM at 75, 150 and 225g/kg in other three concentrate pellets, these pellets were fed to goats of BJM-75, BJM-150 and BJM-225 groups. Each goat received 720g dry matter (DM) of respective concentrate pellets in two equal meals at the morning and evening milking, along with 6–8h daily grazing. The BJM contained total glucosinolate (GLS) 72.58μmol/g DM, which contributed GLS 5.44, 10.89 and 16.33μmol/g DM respectively in concentrate pellets with BJM 75, 150 and 225g/kg. The BJM feeding did not change intake and digestibility of DM and other nutrients. Rumen fluid pH, NH3-N, total volatile fatty acids and extracellular microbial hydrolytic enzymes (protease, α-amylase, carboxymethyl cellulase) were similar among four goat groups. Similarly, nitrogen (g/kg DM) and ME (MJ/kg DM) contents of ingested diets were respectively from 24.1 to 24.6g and 11.33 to 11.48MJ, whereas intakes of N (g/kgW0.75) and ME (N (MJ/kgW0.75) were varied from 1.96 to 2.06g and 0.92 to 0.96MJ respectively, which were similar among four goats groups. Goats of BJM-0 group lost LW whereas goats fed concentrates with BJM gained LW and had increased (p<0.001) milk yield. The goats of BJM-225 group had a 15% increased milk yield. BJM feeding also increased (p=0.031) milk thiocyanate content. The BJM feeding did not change the levels of serum protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase. Decreased level of blood urea nitrogen in goats fed concentrates with BJM indicated higher N utilization efficiency of BJM. However, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit and red blood cells (RBC) decreased (P<0.05) by BJM inclusion levels. Therefore, BJM with 72.58μmol GLS/g DM could be incorporated in the concentrates up to 225g/kg. Lactating goats in present experiment tolerated a daily intake of GLS 11.76mmole, which amounted 9.45-μmol GLS/g diet DM. However, goats fed concentrates with BJM reduced blood Hb, RBC and hematocrit, and these observations needed further investigation.

Evaluation of the environmental implications of the incorporation of feed-use amino acids in pig production using Life Cycle Assessment

Feed-use (FU) amino acids, at constant performance, make it possible to reduce the protein content of pig feeds and nitrogen excretion by the animals. The aim of this study was to assess the environmental impact of pig production in a conventional farm by Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) according to several scenarios of FU amino acid incorporation. Two modalities of waste management (slurry or solid manure), two hypotheses of protein sources (soybean meal only, or soybean meal, rapeseed meal and pea) and two soybean origins (Centre-West Brazil vs. average Brazilian soybean) were considered. In each scenario investigated, gestating, lactating, pre-starter and starter feeds were formulated. Fattening pigs were fed either with only one feed (1P), or with two feeds (2P) or according to multiphase feeding (MP). In three scenarios, feeds were least-cost formulated: without incorporation of FU amino acids (NoAA), with FU amino acid incorporation and reduced protein content (LowCP), and FU amino acid incorporation with free protein content (Min€). In the fourth scenario (MinCP), feeds were formulated to minimize protein content. The average protein content of pig feeds decreased, from 190g/kg in 1P-NoAA down to 123g/kg in MP-MinCP while FU amino acid incorporation increased. At the same time, the incorporation of soybean meal into feeds decreased from 197kg/t down to 70kg/t in MP-MinCP. This reduction of soybean meal incorporation was concomitant with a decrease in feed cost. The incorporation of FU amino acids in low protein diets clearly reduced the impacts of pig production on Climate Change (CC), Acidification (AC) and Eutrophication (EU). The lowest CC, AC and EU potential impacts were reached with the Min€ or MinCP scenarios, for which tryptophan and valine were incorporated in pig feeds. The impacts on terrestrial ecotoxicity, cumulative energy demand and land occupation were less sensitive to the studied scenarios. The combination of FU amino acid incorporation and multiphase feeding of growing-finishing pigs produced the largest reduction of CC, AC and EU impacts. The underlying mechanisms include the substitution of soybean meal and extruded soybean by cereals and FU amino acids and the reduction of nitrogen excretion which further reduces nitrous oxide and ammonia emissions. This study suggests that environmental impacts of pig production in France can be further reduced through feeding practices, especially for acidification, eutrophication and climate change.

Production of AM fungus colonized seedlings under organic management: suitability of hydrolyzed fish vs. blood meal as options for N addition

The potential benefits of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis to crop growth and farm sustainability make utilization of AM fungus inoculum of particular interest to organic farmers. An important consideration in ensuring the colonization of vegetable seedlings by AM fungi during the greenhouse growth phase of production is supplying sufficient nitrogen and other nutrients for plant growth while limiting levels of phosphorus to avoid P-mediated inhibition of colonization. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to compare growth and AM fungus colonization of Allium porrum L. cv. Musselburgh seedlings in two organic potting media amended with high N and low P organic fertilizers vs. a chemical fertilizer solution known to produce well-colonized seedlings. Though amendment of the media with granular blood meal tended to produce the largest seedlings, formation of mycorrhizae was inhibited relative to 3 × per week additions of inorganic control or hydrolyzed fish fertilizers (4.5% vs. 28% and 16% of root length, respectively). A follow-up experiment in a controlled environment chamber demonstrated no detrimental effect of 3 × per week addition of blood meal in aqueous suspension relative to the chemical fertilizer. The incorporation of blood meal into the media had no impact on mycorrhizal development through the first 2 weeks, but inhibited development of new infection units and colonization of roots relative to the other treatments after 5 weeks (7% vs. 38% of root length). Proper choice of organic fertility amendment is essential to produce AM fungus colonized seedlings ready to take advantage of the symbiosis immediately upon outplanting.

Suplementação de touros com sabões cálcicos de ácidos graxos poli-insaturados e qualidade seminal pré e pós-congelação

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate semen quality of bulls supplemented with calcium soaps of fatty acids polyunsaturated. Twenty Angus, Brangus, Hereford and Braford bulls were randomly allocated into two groups, each with ten animals. Each group received a diet consisting of forage, commercial ration, mineral supplements and supplement. Two supplements types were evaluated: functional supplement, with fatty acids polyunsaturated (PUFA) incorporation or energy supplement, with cassava meal (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) incorporation. During trial period the semen quality was evaluated using routine test (volume, concentration, mass motility, individual motility, sperm morphology) and complementary test: (hypo-osmotic test, giemsa/tripan-azul coloration and thermotolerance test). The semen of group bulls supplemented with commercial calcium soaps of PUFA (Megalac-E®) showed greater sperm motility (83.3% vs. 75.3%), percentage of sperm with intact acrosome (94.8% vs. 91.8%) and percentage of sperm with intact plasma membrane (98.0% vs. 96.6%) when compared with semen of group bulls supplemented with cassava (P&lt;0.05). The supplement type did not affect semen volume, sperm concentration and testosterone concentration in blood (P&gt;0.05). There were interactions between treatment and collection period for percentage of normal sperm and percentage of spermatozoa with hypo-osmotic positive test (P&lt;0.05). The type of supplement did not affect sperm motility, the hypo-osmotic test and fast thermotolerance test after thawing (P&gt;0.05). PUFA calcium soaps supplementation increased percentage of spermatozoa with plasma membrane integrity (51.5 vs. 42.2%) and spermatozoa intact acrosome (48.0% vs. 39.2%) after thawing.

Use of Spray-Dried Blood Meal as an Alternative Protein Source in Pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) Diets

We evaluated the effects of various dietary blood meal levels on the growth performance and body composition of pirarucu (Araipama gigas) juveniles. Fish (8.5 ± 0.4 g) were stocked into 24 tanks and fed for 60 days with eight isoproteic diets, having 0% to 21% incorporation of blood meal. Fish increased weight by six to 15 times from their initial weight. The highest body weights (117–135 g), growth rates (4%–5% BW/day), and protein retentions (19%–20%) were observed in fish fed 0% to 6% blood meal. Feed intake increased from 2.9% to 4.4% BW/day with increasing blood meal level. Feed conversion ratio (FCR: 1.0–1.1) did not vary among groups fed 0% to 6% blood meal (P < 0.001). However, when fish were fed more than 6% blood meal, FCR (1.3–1.7) and protein retention (11.1–13.7) deteriorated sharply. Lipid (7.7–11.7%) and energy (18.7–21.2 kJ/g) content increased with increasing blood meal levels up to 9%.

Influence of Ulva meal on growth, feed utilization, and body composition of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) at two levels of dietary lipid

A nutrition trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary lipid levels and supplemental Ulva meal on growth performance, feed efficiency, nutrient utilization, and body composition of juvenile Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Four isonitrogenous (CP 40%) diets containing 0% and 5% Ulva meal were formulated to contain 10% (low-lipid; LL) and 20% (high-lipid; HL) crude lipid. Triplicate groups of fish (~10 g) were fed to apparent satiation three times daily for 16 weeks. Fish fed 5% Ulva meal showed an increased growth performance (P < 0.05) compared with fish fed non-Ulva supplemented diets, irrespective of dietary lipid level. In particular, the incorporation of Ulva meal improved specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and protein efficiency ratio (PER). Feeding fish 5% Ulva meal diets resulted in significantly lower carcass lipid content. The results indicate that 5% inclusion of Ulva meal at both dietary lipid levels improves growth performance, feed efficiency, nutrient utilization, and body composition of Nile tilapia.

Trichoderma spp. tolerance to Brassica carinata seed meal for a combined use in biofumigation

Biofumigation by Brassicaceae green manure or seed meal incorporation into soil is an ecological alternative to chemical fumigation against soil-borne pathogens, based on the release of glucosinolate-derived compounds. This study aimed at investigating the tolerance of the beneficial fungus Trichoderma to these compounds in view to combined utilization with Brassica carinata seed meal (BCSM). Forty isolates of Trichoderma spp. were tested in vitro for tolerance to toxic volatiles released by BCSM and in direct contact with the meal. They were found to be generally less sensitive than the assayed pathogens ( Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum), even if a fungistatic effect was observed at the highest dose (10 μmole of sinigrin). Most of them also were able to grow on BCSM and over the pathogens tested. A preliminary experiment of integrating BCSM with Trichoderma in soil was carried out under controlled conditions with the patho-system P. ultimum—sugar beet. BCSM incorporation increased pathogen population, but reduced disease incidence, probably due to indirect mechanisms. The greatest effect was achieved when BCSM was applied in combination with Trichoderma, regardless of meal ability to release isothiocyanate. These findings suggest that disease control can be improved by this integrated approach. This study also highlighted that a reduction of allyl-isothiocyanate concentration in soil could occur due to the activity of some Trichoderma isolates. This effect could protect resident or introduced Trichoderma isolates from depressing effects due to the biocidal compounds, but, on the other hand, could reduce the efficacy of biofumigation against target pathogens.

The Effect of Different Levels of Krill Meal Supplementation of Soybean-based Diets on Feed Intake, Digestibility, and Chemical Composition of Juvenile Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus, L

— The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of different levels of krill meal (KM) as a feed attractant in juvenile Nile tilapia fed soybean (SBM) diets on growth performance, feed utilization, and body composition. Fish of an initial average weight 0.8 × 0.01g were stocked in 18 glass aquaria (80 L each) at a rate of 25 fish per aquarium. Fish meal (FM 20% of the diet) was used as the sole source of animal protein in the control (Diet 1). Diets 2 to 6 had (SBM) protein with various levels of krill meal (0.0,1.5,3.0,4.5, and 6.0%, diets 2-6 respectively). Test diets were fed to satiation to triplicate groups of Nile tilapia four times daily for 20 wk. Fish fed krill meal supplemented diets had significantly (P < 0.05) better growth performance compared with fish fed the unsupplemented and FM control diets. The krill meal increased growth of Nile tilapia by 31.9% compared to control diets (average Anal wet weight, 14.15 × 0.95 g and 10.72 × 0.2 g, respectively). Moreover, weight gains were not significantly different for fish fed diets with different levels of krill meal. Feed utilization parameters such as feed intake, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio differed significantly for fish fed krill meal diets compared with control. Digestibility of nutrient and energy of diets increased with increasing levels of krii meal. The incorporation of krill meal in diets significantly affected the protein, fat, ash, and energy of whole body composition. These results suggest that supplementation of krill meal at 1.5% in the diets of Nile tilapia as attractant or stimulant may lead to increased feed intake, growth performance, and feed utilization. Soybean meal can completely replace fishmeal in diets for juvenile tilapia.

Effect of Squillameal on the Growth and Nutritive Value of Labeo rohita (Ham)

It has been well established that animal protein performs better than plant protein in the growth and nutritive value of cultivable fish. By far the most suitable animal protein for incorporation into fish diets is fish meal. Fish meal is almost always made from marine fish, and can be based on the by-catches or a product of a specific fishery (De Silva and Anderson, 1995). Squilla species, a marine stomatopod generally called as mantis shrimp, is found in abundance along the Indian coast. The fine powder obtained from grinding the whole body of sun dried squilla species is known as squillameal, which has an excellent nutritive value. Taking this into consideration, it has been proposed to evaluate the suitability of incorporation of squilla meal as animal protein, in the traditional feed (rice bran and groundnut oil cake mixture) of Labeo rohita. For this purpose experiments have been conducted on the fingerlings (of an average weight of 5.33±0.13g) of L. rohita, for 90 days in the laboratory with 35% protein level traditional feed as control diet and 35%and 40% protein level feeds, formulated with squilla meal, as test diets. All the ingredients of these diets have been sieved, steam cooked after through mixing with water, pelletized with the help of a pellet mill and then dried in a hot air oven with blower at about 50o C. The dry pellets of these diets have been used to feed the experimental fingerlings of L. rohita to study the Absolute growth, Specific growth rate (S.G.R), Food conversion ratio (F.C.R), Protein efficiency ratio (P.E.R), and Apparent protein digestibility (A.P.D). The observations revealed that the performance of both the test diets formulated with squilla meal, is far superior to that of the control diet. However, from among the two formulated diets, the one with 35% of animal protein performed better in every respect. Proximate analyses of all the three diets and fish flesh have been carried out to evaluate the relative performance of the two animal protein incorporated artificial diets. The details are dealt in the present paper.

Influence of dietary soybean meal levels on growth, feed utilization and gut histology of Egyptian sole ( Solea aegyptiaca) juveniles

The present study was undertaken in order to determine the effect of a dietary incorporation of soybean meal (SBM) on growth performance, nutrient utilization and gut histology of Egyptian sole Solea aegyptiaca. This species, which is genetically and morphologically close to Solea solea, is currently present in the Mediterranean Sea and reared in some Italian farms, using the same techniques for S. solea production and it could represent a promising new species for Mediterranean aquaculture. Three isoproteic and isolipidic extruded diets (crude protein, 47%, crude fat, 20%) were formulated containing 0 (diet 1), 18 (diet 2) and 30% SBM (diet 3). 540 juveniles (initial body weight of 6.9 ± 0.2 g) were equally distributed into nine 150 l squared tanks (bottom surface: 520 cm 2) connected with a recirculation system (temperature 20 ± 1 °C and dissolved oxygen above 6 ppm). Animals have been hand-fed twice a day (at 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m.) at a daily ratio of 1.5% body weight − 1 . Diets were tested in triplicate for 87 days. The fish were weighed at days 28, 57 and 87, and they were sampled at days 0, 57 and 87 for nutrient retention determination. One-way ANOVA with Newman–Keuls' post-test were used to analyze data ( P ≤ 0.05). No differences in terms of palatability were observed and any diet has been consumed completely all throughout the experiment. At day 87, fish fed diet 1, 2 and 3 reached weights of 25.8 ± 0.8 g, 27.5 ± 0.9 g and 26.1 ± 1.5 g, respectively and no differences in performances or nutrient retention were found. Histopathological gut examinations have revealed no noticeable differences in the appearances of the intestines between any of diet groups. Intestinal mucosal cells presented well vacuolated upper, with well defined microvillar brush borders. On the basis of the results of this trial, SBM seems to be a good protein source for Egyptian sole and can be added in the diet up to 30% without any reduction in growth rate and no adverse effect on gut histology.

Effect of the incorporation level of herring meal into test diet on apparent digestibility coefficients for protein and energy by juvenile haddock, Melanogrammus aeglefinus L.

A digestibility trial was conducted to investigate the effect of varying the incorporation levels of herring meal into the test diet on the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) for protein and energy and to compare the values calculated using two different published equations [Cho, C.Y., Slinger, S.J., Bailey, H.S., 1982. Bioenergetics of salmonid species: energy intake, expenditure and productivity. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 73B, 25–41; Forster, I., 1999. A note on the method of calculating digestibility coefficients of nutrients provided by single ingredients to feeds of aquatic animal. Aquacult. Nutr. 5, 143–145.]. Herring meal was incorporated at levels of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% to 90%, 80%, 70%, 60% and 50% (w/w basis) of the reference diet, respectively. Haddock with mean initial body weight of 49 g were randomly distributed to each of six tanks (40 fish/tank). The reference and test diets were fed to fish to apparent satiation three times daily during the week and twice daily during weekends. Fish were acclimated to the experimental diets for 1 week and fecal collections were made for 3 consecutive weeks. Feces collected in the same bottle from each tank for 5 consecutive days were used as one replication for the treatment. The ADCs for protein and energy of the reference diet were 94.8% and 90.6%, respectively. Neither increasing herring meal incorporation from 10% to 50% into the test diet nor the method of ADC calculation had any significant effect on protein digestibility of the feed ingredient, which remained constant at averages of 93.7% (Cho) and 94.0% (Forster). The same was true for energy digestibility with averages of 95.4% (Cho) and 95.5% (Forster).

Dietary incorporation of soybean meal and exogenous enzyme cocktail can affect physical characteristics of faecal material egested by rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Soybean meal (SBM) has a relatively low digestible nutrient/energy density compared to other common fish feed ingredients. Feeding high levels of SBM has been shown to affect growth and has also been predicted to result in increased solid waste outputs. The effect of SBM and an enzyme cocktail (Superzyme CS) on growth and waste outputs of rainbow trout was, therefore, examined in a 16-week trial. Three extruded feeds, containing 0%, 10% or 20% SBM, were top-coated with the enzyme cocktail at 0, 1 and 2.5 g/ kg to produce eight diets. The diets were fed to near-satiety to fish reared at 15 °C. Growth and feed utilization by the fish and apparent digestibility of the diets were examined. Waste outputs were estimated using a nutrient mass-balance approach and the physical characteristics of faeces freshly egested by fish examined. SBM and enzyme supplementation had no effect on growth and very small effects on digestibility. Mass-balance estimates of waste outputs were only slightly affected by SBM and enzyme incorporation. Total solid, solid P, and solid N wastes averaged 109, 3.7 and 3.9 kg per t of biomass gain (for fish growing from 5 to 110 g), respectively. Dissolved P waste and dissolved N waste averaged 1.1 and 26.4 kg per t of biomass gain, respectively. Cohesiveness of faeces was significantly reduced ( P < 0.001) by the enzyme, and SBM had significant a negative effect on both sinking speed and cohesiveness ( P < 0.01) of faeces. The reduction in faecal material cohesiveness and sinking speed as a result of dietary SBM and enzyme inclusion can potentially reduce solid waste recovery on land-based fish culture operations, but could potentially minimize localized impacts of some cage culture operations.

Replacement of fish meal by rendered animal protein ingredients in feeds for cuneate drum ( Nibea miichthioides)

An 8-week feeding trial was carried out in floating net pens to examine the replacement of fish meal with three rendered animal protein ingredients, poultry by-product meal (PBM), meat and bone meal (MBM) and feather meal (FM) at various levels in practical feeds for cuneate drum. Triplicate groups of fish (initial body weight 27 g fish − 1) were fed nine isonitrogenous and isocaloric feeds formulated to contain 36% digestible protein and 15 MJ kg − 1 digestible energy. The control feed contained 35% herring meal, whereas in the other eight feeds, PBM, MBM and FM, alone or in combination, directly replaced 10%, 30% or 50% of the fish meal. In addition, a raw fish feed was used as a comparison to assess growth performance of fish fed the formulated feeds. There were no significant differences in feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) among fish fed the formulated feeds. Specific growth rate (SGR) and final body weight (FBW) of fish fed the feeds in which either PBM replaced 30% to 50 % of the fish meal or MBM replaced 30% of the fish meal were not significantly different from fish fed the control feed. Feather meal incorporation in the feeds resulted in lower SGR and FBW compared to those of fish fed the control feed. Replacing 50% of the fish meal by MBM significantly lowered SGR, FBW and nitrogen retention efficiency, whereas replacing 50% of the fish meal by a combination of PBM, MBM, FM, blood meal and soybean meal resulted in lower SGR and FBW. There were no significant differences in chemical composition of whole body among fish fed the formulated feeds. Results of the present study indicate that PBM can be used alone at 17% (to replace 50% of the fish meal), and MBM at 10% (to replace 30% of the fish meal) in feeds for cuneate drum.

The Effects of Substituting Soyabean Meal for Breadfruit Meal on Diets Acceptability, Growth Response and Cost of Diets Fed to &lt;i&gt;Heterobranchus bidorsalis&lt;/i&gt; (♀) X &lt;i&gt;Clarias gariepinus&lt;/i&gt; (♂) Hybrid

The effects of substituting soyabean meal for breadfruit ( Tricuria africana ) meal in diets fed to Heterobranchus bidorsalis (♂) x Clarias gariepinus (♀) hybrid fingerlings on diet acceptability, growth responses and cost benefit of fed catfishes were studied. The acceptability of breadfruit based diets by Heterobranchus bidorsalis (♂) x Clarias gariepinus (♀) hybrid fingerlings was studied using the “time to strike and acceptability index” and their growth responses studied using “weight gain and specific growth rate”. The cost benefit arising from feeding Breadfruit meal based diets to 1000 Heterobranchus bidorsalis (♂) x Clarias gariepinus (♀) hybrid fingerlings for nine weeks was estimated. The results indicated that substituting soyabean meal for breadfruit meal in diets fed to Heterobranchus bidorsalis (♂) x Clarias gariepinus (♀) fingerlings slightly decreased the time to strike dietary pellets. Diets containing 0 % breadfruit meal (diet A – control) were not easily stroked by fed catfishes when compared to the diets containing 100 % breadfruit meal (diet G). Furthermore, increased substitutions of soyabean meal for breadfruit meal in diets fed to catfishes slightly improved the acceptability of diets; the best acceptable diet being diets C, E and G, there was statistically no significant difference in the acceptability of the control diets and diets having breadfruit meal. Increasing substitutions of soyabean meal for breadfruit meal in diets fed to Heterobranchus bidorsalis (♂) x Clarias gariepinus (♀) hybrid fingerlings led to weight increases in all dietary types with exception of diet G and higher growth induction in catfishes fed all diets with exception of diet B. Diets C had induced better mean growth than the control and other experimental diets, although statistically, there was no significant difference between the control diets and diets having breadfruit meal. Increased incorporation of breadfruit meal in diets fed to catfish hybrid fingerlings led to slight increased in the cost of diets. The cost benefit analysis revealed that catfishes fed diet C had comparatively better cost of diet per unit weight gain. The benefits derived by incorporation of Breadfruit meal in diets fed to Heterobranchus bidorsalis (♂) x Clarias gariepinus (♀) hybrid are discussed. Key Words: Heterobranchus bidorsalis, Clarias gariepinus , African catfish hybrid, breadfruit meal, acceptability, growth responses, cost Bio-Research Vol.2(2) 2004: 27-33

Incorporation of a mixture of plant feedstuffs as substitute for fish meal in diets of juvenile turbot ( Psetta maxima)

A study was designed to evaluate the maximum level of substitution of fish meal in diets for turbot when a mixture of feedstuffs of plant origin was used and when the amino acid profile was adjusted to reflect amino acid profile of a reference fish meal based diet. Five diets were formulated: a reference diet (FM40) containing 40% fish meal and four other diets (FM30, FM20, FM10 and FM0) in which protein from fish meal was substituted by protein from lupin, corn gluten and wheat gluten meal. Amino acids profile of each diet was balanced by addition of crystalline amino acids. Turbot, initially weighing 26 g were fed these diets for 12 weeks and growth parameters were recorded. Protein (96%), energy (83%) and dry matter (73%) digestibility were very high in all diets tested. Feed intake was significantly decreased by the incorporation of plant protein in diets (from 10.2 g/kg ABW/day to 8.2 g/kg ABW/day in fish fed diets FM40 and FM0, respectively), growth rate was only affected in fish fed diets FM10 and FM0 (respectively, 2.2 and 1.9%/day against an average of 2.4%/day for the other treatments) and no effect on feed utilisation was observed. The whole body composition of fish and the nitrogen retention were significantly negatively affected when dietary fish meal incorporation was equal or less than 20% diet. Activities of alanine amino transferase (ALAT) were significantly increased by the dietary incorporation of plant protein. These results suggest that a sizeable amount of fish meal can be replaced by plant feedstuffs in diets of turbot when an adequate mixture of plant feedstuffs along with amino acid supplementation are used.

The Effect of Pre-wilting and Incorporation of Maize Meal on the Fermentation of Bana Grass Silage

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of pre-wilting Bana grass (Pennisetum purpureum x P. americanum) herbage under sunny conditions for 0, 6, 18, 24, 32 and 48 h and ensiling it with maize meal. Four levels of maize meal (viz., 0, 5, 10 and 15% on fresh weight (Fw) basis) were tested. The experiment had a split-plot design. Wilting increased the concentration of water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) significantly (p 0.001) from 250 to 620 g⋅kg -1 , between 0 and 48 h respectively. The concentration of fermentation end-products decreased (except butyric acid) and pH increased when the period of wilting increased, indicating that fermentation was restricted. In particular, lactic acid content declined from 50.8 to 26.2 g⋅kg -1 ⋅DM (p<0.01) and the residual WSC contents of silage increased from 2.7 with fresh herbage to 18.1 g⋅kg -1 ⋅DM with 48 h of wilting (p<0.001). Rapid wilting for 24 h, to a DM of 450 g⋅kg -1 was optimum since important increases in pH, residual WSC and DMD occurred at this level of wilting. Acetic acid, butyric acid and ammoniacal-N contents were lowest with 24 h of wilting. There were no significant interactions between length of wilting and the incorporation of maize meal. Wilting had a greater influence on fermentation than the incorporation of maize meal. Addition of maize meal facilitated fermentation by increasing forage DM content and reducing effluent production. In addition, the maize meal increased DMD. It was concluded that maize meal should generally be incorporated at a level of 5% on fresh weight basis. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2003. Vol 16, No. 6 : 843-851)

Effect of Substitution of Groundnut with Soybean Meal at Varying Fish Meal and Protein Levels on Performance and Egg Quality of Layer Chickens

Two hundred and sixteen single comb white egg layers of the White Leghorn hens of 24 weeks of age were randomly allocated to 12 groups with three replications of six hens in each. Hens were fed in a factorial arrangement 2x3x2, on diets containing either 16 or 18% crude protein with 0, 3 or 6% fish meal, replacing groundnut meal with soybean meal. Soybean meal incorporation improved (p<0.05) egg production, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency and egg weights. Egg quality traits of specific gravity, shape index, albumen index, yolk index and shell thickness remained unchanged. Laying performance was significantly (p<0.05) better at 18% than on 16% dietary protein level. Use of fish meal linearly improved egg production and feed conversion efficiency on diets supplemented with groundnut meal and fish meal incorporation showed quadratic improvement on feed conversion efficiency with SBM diets at 16% dietary protein level. Therefore, use of soybean meal as substitute of groundnut meal is recommended in layer diets, at 16% dietary protein level and fish meal incorporation could be beneficial for layers.

Evaluation Of Plant Proteins As Partial Replacement For Animal Proteins In Diets For Penaeus Indicus And P. Merguiensis Juveniles

The growth rate and survival of two white shrimps, Penaeus indicus and P. merguiensis, fed diets in which fishmeal was partially replaced with plant protein sources were investigated in three trials. In trial 1 with P. indicus, soybean, yeast and leaf meals of kangkong, papaya and Cassia tora L. were screened as partial substitutes for fishmeal. The total biomass of shrimp fed 20% yeast (20yeast) was highest but not significantly different than that of shrimp fed 10yeast and 10papaya. Survival was highest with 20yeast, 10papaya and 10yeast . Shrimp fed Cassia tora L. had the highest weight gain and SGR but their survival was similar to those fed poor performing diets. In trial 2 with P. merguiensis, the ingredients were modified by decreas- ing fishmeal and increasing the yeast and soybean substitution. The biomass of the shrimp fed 10yeast was similar to that of the shrimp fed 20yeast and 26soybean, the weight gain and SGR were similar to shrimp fed 20yeast while survival was highest but not different from 20yeast and 26soybean. In trial 3 with P. indicus, weight gain and SGR were best with 20yeast and 34soy- bean. However, biomass and survival did not differ among replacement levels. The performance of the white shrimp varied with different levels of yeast and soybean meal incorporation. The response of P. indicus was best with 20yeast (15% by weight) or 34soybean meal (34% by weight) while that of P. merguiensis was with 10yeast (7% by weight), 20yeast (15% by weight) or 26soybean meal (26% by weight). Partial replacement of fishmeal with yeast or soybean meal would result in lower feed costs but the use of these feeds needs further refine- ment since survival was low in all treatments. Rearing techniques, such as increasing the feed- ing frequency, simulating deep pond conditions or using adequate substrates, should be refined.

Effect of Partial Replacement of Fish Meal by Soya Flour in the Diets of Freshwater Prawn and Two Indian Major Carps

A growth study was conducted to evaluate soya flour incorporated diet with replacement of fish meal in mono and polyculture of prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) with Indian major carps (Catla catla and Labeo rohita). Two diets with incorporation of fish meal and soya flour protein were fed to prawn and carps in 25 m2 cement cisterns for 180 days. Growth of both prawn and carps was higher when they were reared together in polyculture. Survival of both the animals was the highest in polyculture of prawn and carps.