Worm Meal Research Articles

Substitution of Fish Meal and Worm Meal African Night Crawler on the Physical Quality of Fish Feed

This research aims to determine the effect of substitution of fish meal and African night crawler worm meal on the quality of fish feed, especially physical aspects. The treatment tested was treatment A with a concentration of 55% fish meal, 10% worm meal, 30% corn meal, and 5% tapioca flour. Treatment B with a concentration of 53% fish meal, 12% worm meal, 30% corn meal, and 5% tapioca flour. Treatment C with a concentration of 49% fish meal, 14% worm meal, 30% corn meal, and 5% tapioca flour. Treatment K with a concentration of 65% fish meal, 0% worm meal, 30% corn meal, and 5% tapioca flour. The data collected consists of data on fish attractiveness to feed, feed solubility, feed hardness level and feed color aspects. The data that has been collected is then analyzed using descriptive analysis. The results of this research show that regarding the attractiveness of the feed to the test animals tested, the feed that received the quickest response from the fish to eat was the feed in treatment K. The solubility of feed in all treatments did not have a significant difference, However, the treatment that dissolved the fastest was treatment B, namely 207 minutes. Based on the level of feed hardness, the lowest level of feed hardness is feed in treatment K, which has a hardness level of 40%. In this research, where the color of the feed made is brown and slightly blackish and is similar in color to commercial feed.

Effect of fishmeal replacement with dried red wigglers (Eisenia fetida) worm meal on growth and feed utilization, production efficiency, and serum biochemistry in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings

This study investigated the effect of replacing fishmeal with red wigglers (Eisenia fetida) worm meal (RWWM) in the diet of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings. Red wigglers worms (RWW) were culture on a vegetable by-product medium, harvested and dried to obtain red wigglers worm meal. The fish (average weight ± SE: 7.70 ± 0.06 g) were fed with seven diets (30% crude protein and 7.5% crude lipid), in which fishmeal was replaced with 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% RWWM. The fish was reared in 1000 L fiberglass tanks in a recirculating aquaculture system and were hand-fed twice daily for 90 days. At the end of the experiment, the growth, feed conversion ratio, and energy utilization improved when feeding 15% and 20% RWWM compared with the control diet (P < 0.05). Using broken line regression between growth efficiency and feed utilization, showed the optimum level of RWWM replacing FM in Nile tilapia fingerlings diet was around 21 – 22% of the diet. The whole-body crude protein and ash content were elevated in the fish fed with 10–25% RWWM, while crude lipid and energy contents were elevated in the fish fed with 5–25% RWWM compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The essential and non-essential amino acids profiles of the fish were improved by 15% and 20% RWWM compared with the control (P < 0.05). The plasma glucose was decreased by 15–20% and significantly enhanced in fish fed with 25–30% RWWM diets compared with the control (P < 0.05). The total protein, albumin and globulin increased in the fish fed 15–20% diets and decreased in fish fed the 30% RWWM (P < 0.05). Therefore, this study demonstrates that RWWM could replace 20% fishmeal in the diets of Nile tilapia fingerlings without negatively affecting fish growth and physiological performance.

Feeds formulated with alternative ingredients for bullfrog tadpoles (Lithobates catesbeianus)

Several foods are available for the formulation of rations in Brazil; however, the effectiveness of a few of these foods has been evaluated in diets for bullfrog tadpoles (Lithobates catesbeianus). This study aimed to evaluate alternative foods (worm meal, peeled banana, peeled pumpkin, and peeled avocado) with different levels of crude protein and ether extract for the nutrition of bullfrog tadpoles to obtain the best animal performance and water quality. In a 60 days long experiment, a total of 480 bullfrog tadpoles (stage 25 of the Gosner table, 1960) with an average weight of 0.107 ± 0.004 g, were used. The experimental design was completely randomized (DIC) in a factorial scheme (2x2) with four treatments [rations with 320 g/kg crude protein (CP) and 90 g/kg ether extract (EE); 380 g/kg CP and 90 g/kg EE; T3:320 g/kg CP and 110 g/kg EE; 380 g/kg CP and 110 g/kg EE] each consisting of four replicates. To verify the normality of the data, the results of zootechnical performance, water quality, and proximate composition were subjected to the Shapiro-Wilk and Bartlett tests. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was then performed, and the means were compared using Duncan's test at 5% of probability. The verified results of animal performance, water quality, and proximate composition were not influenced by the suggested diets. The best diet formulated based on easily acquired alternative ingredients can offer 320 g/kg CP and 90 g/kg EE to the tadpoles of bullfrog.

Partial Substitution of Fishmeal with Mopane Worm Meal in Dusky Kob Fingerling (Argyrosomus japonicus) Diets: Feed Utilization, Digestive Enzyme Activity, Blood Parameters, and Growth Performance

The use of protein-rich mopane worm meal (MPWM) in marine fish diets has the potential to reduce the overall demand for fishmeal (FM) and thus promote economically and ecologically sustainable dusky kob aquaculture. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of graded levels of MPWM on feed and nutrient utilization, digestive enzymes, blood parameters, and growth performance in dusky kob fingerlings (Argyrosomus japonicus, Temminck and Schlegel, 1843) over a 7-week feeding trial. Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic commercial dusky kob diets were formulated by substituting 0 (MPWM0), 3 (MPWM3), 6 (MPWM6), 9 (MPWM9), and 18% (MPWM18) of FM with MPWM and offered at 2.8% of fish body weight. Two-thousand fingerlings (average weight 15.68 ± 0.25 g) were evenly distributed into 20 experimental tanks of a recirculating aquaculture system. Weight measurements were taken weekly, while blood and intestinal samples were taken at the end of the experiment. The inclusion of MPWM quadratically influenced (y = 39.25 (±1.27) + 0.89 (±0.36)x − 0.04 (0.02) x2; R2 = 0.23; p = 0.03) overall feed intake. Overall weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) linearly increased while overall feed conversion ratio (FCR) linearly declined with MPWM inclusion levels. Substituting FM with MPWM did not alter (p &gt; 0.05) digestive enzyme activities and haematological parameters. Among the serum biochemical components measured, only urea increased linearly in response to MPWM levels, while no trends were observed for the other components. It was concluded that replacing 11.13% of FM with MPWM in commercial dusky kob diet formulations does not compromise feed intake, feed utilization efficiency, growth rate, and physiological status of juvenile dusky kob.

Mopane Worm (Gonimbrasia belina Westwood) Meal as a Potential Protein Source for Sustainable Quail Production: A Review

Fast-growing and highly adaptable avian birds such as quail (Coturnix coturnix) possess great potential to meet the growing demand for animal protein by the rapidly increasing human population, and would contribute immensely to global food production and nutritional security. However, overreliance on conventional protein sources such as fish and soybean meals during the formulation of quail diets is economically and environmentally unsustainable. Alternatively, insect-based protein sources such as Gonimbrasia belina, commonly known as mopane worm (MW), can be used to increase quail production due to their high biological value and low feed-food competition. Indeed, MW is highly nutritious, with an average protein content of 55% and a well-balanced amino acid profile. Thus, its incorporation in quail diets could provide great potential to alleviate nutritional deficiencies in quail production and allow for their sustainable intensification. However, there are limited studies on the effect of partial or complete replacement of conventional protein sources with mopane worm meal (MWM) in quail diets. This paper reviews the nutritional profile and use of the MW as a protein source, as well as its potential future prospects in poultry diets. Finally, we postulate that mass production of this insect-based protein source and its sustainability would be an inventive strategy to develop a profitable quail business.

Effect of Fish Meal Substitution with Sea Worm Flour (Nereis sp.) in Diet on Growth and Survival Rate of Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) Post Larvae

Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) is one of the fishery commodity that has high economic value. One of the obstacles faced by cultivators is the high price of feed which reaches half of the production cost. This is due to the high cost of fish meal which is the main raw material for making fish feed or shrimp feed. Therefore, fish meal was substituted with raw materials that have almost the same or higher nutritional content, more affordable prices and abundant presence, namely sea worm flour (Nereis sp.). The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of substitution of fish meal with marine worm meal (Nereis sp.) in diet on the growth and survival rate of pacific white shrimp (L. vannamei) and to examine the best do se. This study used an experimental method with a completely randomized design (CRD) of 4 treatments and 3 replications. The treatment tested was the substitution of fish meal with sea worm flour (Nereis sp.) in the diet with different doses including treatment A (0% flour Nereis sp.), B (25% flour Nereis sp.), C (30% flour Nereis sp.) and D (35% flour Nereis sp.). The test animals used were pacific white shrimp (L. vannamei) post larvae 15. Shrimp were reared in a container with a size of (43x30x25) cm with 6 liters volume of water. Shrimp were reared for 42 days with a stocking density of 30 fish/container. The results showed that the substitution of fish meal with sea worm meal (Nereis sp.) in the diet had a significant effect (P&lt;0.05) on the growth and survival rate of PL15 pacific white shrimp (L. vannamei). The highest values for total feed consumption, relative growth rate, feed utilization efficiency, food conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and SR were found in treatment C (30% Nereis sp. flour) with successive values of 80,61 g, 3,84 %/day, 72,01%, 1,39%, 1,67% and 100,00%. The water quality in the rearing media during the rearing period was still in the right range for cultivating vaname shrimp (R. canadum) post larvae . Based on these results, it can be concluded that the best treatment is treatment C which produces the highest growth and survival rate of pacific white shrimp (L. vannamei) post larvae.

Eisenia fetida worm as an alternative source of protein for poultry: a review

Feed constitutes about 60–70 percent of the total production costs of poultry meat, of which about 175% are animal protein. The protein content of a feed ingredient is a factor of great importance. It has been reported that the protein content of Eisenia fetida differs with the treatment used and it ranges between 50.1% and 66.2%. E. fetida contains 4.95–5.70 g/100 g 20 out of 24 major amino acids, including the ten essential amino acids. The fat content of worm meal has been reported to range from 5–20% of dry matter. A number of mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids are in fairly high concentration in worm meal and the total fatty acids is about 6.6 to 10.5 mg/g. It contains an adequate mineral content and an excellent range of vitamins which are a valuable component of poultry feed. It has been found that it encompasses essential elements such as calcium (1020–7070 μg/g) and iron (1050–2990 μg/g), which are 10 times higher than soya bean and fish meal. Earthworm Eisenia fetida has been found to be a promising alternative source of protein due to its high protein content, amino acid and fatty acid profiles. In this review, we outline the E. fetida characteristics, nutrient composition, processing methods and its effects as a source of feed for chickens.

Effect of dietary graded levels of Imbrasia belina on the chemical composition and fatty acid profile of meat from broiler chickens

The effect of dietary graded inclusion levels of Imbrasia belina worm meal on meat chemical composition and fatty acid profile of broiler chicken meat was evaluated. A total of 360 chicks were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments, with each treatment group replicated 6 times (n = 15/replicate). The inclusion levels of the I. belina worm meal in the treatments were 0% control = T1, T2 = 4%, T3 = 8% and 12%. A three-phase feeding program of starter (0-14d), grower (15-28d), and finisher (29-35d) was employed for the study. The results showed that crude protein content of breast meat was higher (P < 0.05) in dietary treatments than control, whereas crude fat content of thigh meat was higher (P < 0.05) than in breast meat. The fatty acid composition of breast meat myristic and myristoleic acid levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in treatment groups than the control, whereas the levels of linoleic acid, ⅀PUFA, ⅀PUFA/SFA, ⅀PUFA: MUFA, ⅀(n-6) in thigh meat decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in treatment groups than control. The ⅀(n-3) and atherogenic index in the thigh meat increased significantly (P < 0.05) with incremental levels of I. belina meal. In conclusion, I. belina meal improved the protein content of breast meat and reduced levels of some fatty acids.

Effect of graded levels of Imbrasia belina meal on blood lipid profile, bone morphometric and mineral content of broiler chickens

The effect of increasing dietary levels of Imbrasia belina worm meal on blood lipid profile, bone morphometric and mineral content in Arbor acres broiler chicks were assessed. A total of 360-day old chicks were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments, with each treatment group replicated 6 times (n = 15/replicate). The inclusion levels of the I. belina worm meal in the diets were 0 % (Treatment 1= control), 4 % (Treatment 2), 8 % (Treatment 3) and 12 % (Treatment 4). A 3-phase feeding program of starter (0−14d), grower (15−28d), and finisher (29−35d) was employed for the study. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), bone morphometrics and mineral content were recorded at the end of study. There was no significant difference of total cholesterol (CHOL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration in all the treatments. However, significant concentrations were observed in triglycerides (TGL) and T3 showed highest levels compared to other treatments, at 35 days of age. The dietary inclusion levels of Imbrasia belina had no effect on femur weight, width, relative bone density, and bone breaking strength. However, the significant difference was observed on femur length, robusticity index and ash percentage. Also, broiler chickens fed T1 (6.62 g/100 g, 15.23 g/100 g dry matter) had the highest femur Ca and P content. Femur Z content of broilers fed T4 (24.08 mg/100 g dry matter) was highest. The correlation analyses showed significant moderate relationships between ash and femur weight, but however significant positive relationships with calcium, magnesium, manganese and zinc. More so, the correlation between femur strength and calcium and phosphorous was significant positive with a higher magnitude. The result of this study suggests that I. belina meal up to 12 % can be effectively utilized in broiler diets without any adverse effect on and bone mineral properties.

Growth performance, serum biochemistry and meat quality traits of Jumbo quails fed with mopane worm (Imbrasia belina) meal-containing diets

Alternative protein sources such as mopane worm (Imbrasia belina) meal (MWM) are essential for sustainable poultry production. To date, no studies have attempted to investigate the effect of replacing soybean products with MWM in Jumbo quail diets. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the optimum inclusion level of MWM in place of soybean products on feed intake, physiological and meat quality responses of Jumbo quails. A total of 384 two-week-old mixed-gender quails (71.2 ± 5.40 g live-weight) were allotted to four isoproteic and isocaloric dietary treatments formulated by replacing soybean products with MWM at 0 (MWM0), 50 (MWM5), 100 (MWM10), and 150 (MWM15) g/kg. Neither linear nor quadratic effects (P > 0.05) were observed for feed intake, physiological responses, carcass traits and internal organs except for large intestines, which linearly decreased (P < 0.05) with MWM levels. There were significant quadratic trends for meat redness (a*), yellowness (b*) and chroma values in response to MWM levels. No dietary influences (P > 0.05) were observed on feed intake, physiological responses, internal organ weights, and carcass and meat quality parameters, except on b*, chroma and shear force. Diets MWM5 and MWM10 promoted higher (P < 0.05) b* and chroma values than MWM0. Whereas diet MWM5 promoted the highest (P < 0.05) shear force (2.39 N) than diets MWM0 and MWM10. We concluded that MWM has the potential to replace soybean products in quail diets without compromising their performance, health and meat quality. An optimum MWM inclusion level could not be determined suggesting that higher levels of MWM should be further investigated.

Enzyme activity and histological analysis of Clarias gariepinus fed on Imbrasia belina meal used for partial replacement of fishmeal.

An experiment was carried out to assess the effect of replacing fishmeal with mopane worm meal in the diet of Clarias gariepinus. Juvenile C. gariepinus weighing 67.04 ± 3g were stocked in 15 rectangular concrete tanks connected to a recirculating system. Five diets denoted D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5 were formulated to replace fishmeal with mopane worm meal at 0, 10, 20, 40 and 60%. Triplicate groups of C. gariepinus were randomly assigned to each diet at a stocking density of 100 fish per tank. The fish were fed to apparent satiation twice daily for 51days. All growth performance indices declined with higher mopane worm inclusion levels. Specific growth rate (SGR) declined from 1.85%/day in the control diet to 1.43%/day in diet 5. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) also declined from 25.27% in the control diet to 19.30% in diet 5. Apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) followed a similar pattern declining from 92.2% in the control diet to 87.1% in diet 5. Both amylase and protease activity in the stomach increased with higher mopane worm inclusion levels. Despite the increased enzyme activity in the stomach, SGR declined. The decline in SGR was attributed to high acid detergent fibre (ADF 58.4g/kg) and chitin in the mopane worm diets. Lipase and chitinase did not show any discernible pattern with high mopane worm inclusion levels in the stomach. In the intestines, protease, lipase and chitinase did not show any discernible pattern with high mopane worm inclusion levels. Consequently, the relationship between SGR and all these enzymes was weak. However, amylase activity declined with higher mopane worm inclusion levels in the intestines, and this resulted in decreased SGR (r2 = 0.6722). The negative effects of mopane worm meal were further confirmed by the increase in liver degradation scores at high mopane worm inclusion levels. The liver degradation score increased from 1.12 in the control to 2.46 in diet 5.

Evaluation of Imbrasia belina meal as a fishmeal substitute in Oreochromis mossambicus diets: Growth performance, histological analysis and enzyme activity

The main objective of this study was to investigate mopane worm (Imbrasia belina) as a protein source in the diet of Oreochromis mossambicus. One thousand five hundred O. mossambicus fingerlings (40±2.5g) were fed five isonitrogenous, isolipidic and isoenergetic diets formulated to contain 30% crude protein and 20MJ/kggross energy (dry matter basis) for 51days. Fifteen indoor rectangular concrete tanks (1.5m3) connected to a recirculating system were used. Water temperature ranged between 27 and 29°C. The diets were prepared by replacing fishmeal with mopane worm meal at 10%, 20%, 40% and 60%. The diets were coded D2, D3, D4 and D5 respectively. A control diet with no mopane worm meal was coded D1. The diets were fed to triplicate groups of O. mossambicus twice a day. Specific growth rate (SGR), Thermal-unit growth coefficient (TGC), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) increased with higher inclusion levels of mopane worm meal. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) also improved with higher inclusion levels. However, the highest growth performance (SGR: 3.49%; FCR: 1.29) was recorded in fish fed the fishmeal based control diet. Protease, amylase and lipase activities were determined in the intestines. Both protease and amylase activity were significantly higher (P<0.05) at high mopane worm inclusion levels. It is suggested that the high protein levels of the mopane worm diet elicited high protease activity. The health status of the fish was evaluated by examining the liver and intestine histology. There were no evident histological alterations of either liver or intestine as mopane worm meal inclusion levels increased. This showed that mopane worm meal may be a good candidate for the replacement of fishmeal in O. mossambicus diets. The highest profit index (1.67) was recorded in the 60% mopane worm inclusion level. The lowest profit index was in the control. More studies on mopane worm meal as a substitute of fishmeal are recommended in other fish species.

Use of Worm meal as Animal Protein Source in Fish Feed

Aquaculture keeps topics of rapid increase in manufacturing amount,&amp;nbsp;economy of feed additives, alternative feed additives, and sustainable supply of feed additives on the agenda. Discontinuity in supply of fish meal&amp;nbsp;being fundamental animal protein source in fish-feed accelerated pursuit for alternative animal protein sources. Earthworms are preferred for&amp;nbsp;the use of domestic and industrial organic wastes as fertilizer in agricultural areas in recent years. Earthworm is a significant animal proteinsource which emerges as final product in this manufacturing. The use of worm meal, which has a significant value in terms of essential amino&amp;nbsp;acid in aquaculture. Total aquaculture production of Turkey in 2015 reached up to 240.334 ton which reveal the increasing need towards&amp;nbsp;animal protein source being a significant component of fish-feed. The aim is to attract attention to the need of researching the effect of worm&amp;nbsp;meal on aquaculture performance. In addition to the use of worms and worm meal in domestic animal feed, research on the use of them in fishfeed also increases rapidly. In this review, importance of the worm and worm meal, and researches conducted with usage potential in fish-feed&amp;nbsp;were discussed. Some resolution advisories for sustainable growth in the amount of aquaculture were presented via worm meal in fish-feed.

Breast meat quality of broilers fed with Californian earthworm meal and fresh earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus)

The goal of the work was to investigate the physical and chemical characteristics of the meat of broilers fed with mixtures in which fishmeal had been replaced with fresh earthworms and worm meal. The experiment was carried out on 100 day-old chickens of both sexes, Hybro provenance, divided into 4 groups, 25 broilers each. The experiment lasted for 42 days and had three phases: the first lasted for 3 weeks, the second 2 weeks and the third 1 week. The control group of broilers were fed with complete feed for chickens for fattening, of standard fiber and chemical composition, while I and II experimental groups were fed with mixture in which fishmeal had been replaced by worm meal in an amount of 50 and 100 %, and III experimental group obtained a mixture with no fishmeal, but fresh, chopped earthworms ad libitum instead, from the 1st day to the end of the experiment. At the end of the experiment, on the 42nd day, the broilers were transported to a slaughterhouse. After individual weighing they were slaughtered, and primary processing and cooling of the carcasses were performed. Then the carcasses were cut up to the main parts and the breast samples were taken for examining the physical and sensory properties of the meat. The results of the investigation have shown that there was no difference in physical properties (colour, pH) of the breast meat (p&gt;0.05) among the experimental groups. The breast meat sample ranking has shown that the E-II group samples were rated as the most acceptable while the least acceptable were the meat samples of the control group as well as of the group fed with food in which fishmeal was completely replaced with fresh earthworms.

Calculation of the physiochemical parameters of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fed locally formulated feeds (earth worm)

This study was conducted in the biological department of the University of Abuja; to access the physiochemical parameters of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fed locally earth worm fishmeal. The earth worm meal is composed of fishmeal (400g), corn (280g), rice bran (200g), and groundnut cake (120g). Proximate Analysis was analyzed as follows: Moisture (60g), Crude protein (12), Ash (10), and Crude lipid (12). The earthworm meal varies with replacement level at 0%, 30%, and 50% for Treatment A, B, and C respectively. Fishes were stocked at a density of 15 fingerlings per tank and fed twice daily at 4% body weight. From result obtained, temperature in all the treatments were within the same range (26 o C-27 o C), dissolved oxygen concentration for treatment A (4.98mg/l) was below the optimum level for good growth,(5.03mg/l), and pH level shows alkalinity in all the treatment ranging from 7.10 - 8.71, and nitrate level (0.01-0.04mg/l) was observed to be optimal in all treatments. Concentration of ammonia ranged from (0.01-8mg/l) in Treatment A, B, and C. Highest value of mean weight (0.33g) and mean length (0.34cm) gained was noticed in Treatment C. The result shows a significant differences (P<0.05) on the mean weight, mean length, specific growth rate, food conversion efficiency and survival rate. Earthworm meal is therefore considered effective, on the basis of good water quality to enhance production and survival performance.

Performance characteristics of African Cat fish (Clarias gariepinus) fed varying inclusion levels of silk worm pupae (Anaphe infracta)

The use of Silkworm (Anaphe infracta) pupae as a protein source was investigated for its ability to replace fishmeal in the diet of Clarias gariepinus, African cat fish. Five dried diets formulated at 40% crude protein were fed to fingerlings of an average initial weight of 14.33g at 0 (control diet), 25, 50, 75 and 100% inclusion levels of silk worm meal. The experiment was conducted for 84 days were measured. Mean weight gain (MWG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR). The five inclusion levels of silk worm pupae supported the growth of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings, the growth and feed utilization were favoured by high inclusion level of silk worm meal. Significant differences (p&lt;0.05) were observed among the treatments, although there were no significant differences (p&gt;0.05) in the growth parameters between 50% and 75% inclusion levels. The 100% silk worm pupae meal inclusion gave the best final mean weight gain of 10.29g specific growth rate of 0.93%, feed conversion ratio of 2.18 and protein efficiency ratio (PER) of 0.012. The carcass protein and lipid contents increased compared to the levels of both at the beginning of the experiment. Even though, there were no significant differences (p&gt;0.05) among proximate composition of the fish groups fed 25, 50 and 75%. The results showed that diet consists of 100% silk worm meal could be used as a complete replacement for fish meal in the diet formulation for Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v42i1.15787 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2013. 42 (1): 76-80

Effect of Feeding Mopane Worm Meal on Mineral Intake, Retention and Utilization in Guinea Fowl under Intensive System

This study investigated the mineral intake, utilization and retention of guinea fowl fed varying levels of mopane worm meal as a protein source under intensive system up to 13 weeks of age. Ninety-six day old keets were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments each having four replicates (n = 6/replicate). The four treatments were 3% fishmeal (control), 4.5% mopane worm meal, 9% mopane worm meal and 13.5% mopane worm meal. At 7 and 13 weeks of age, blood and faecal samples were collected from three randomly selected birds from each replicate and analyzed for minerals. At 13 weeks of age, all birds were sacrificed and left tibiae collected for determination of bone physical dimensions and mineral composition. Meat samples were collected from the thighs and decomposed by microwave digestion and analyzed for various minerals. Data were regarded as a split plot design with four dietary treatments and analyzed using the General Linear Model Procedures in Statistical Analysis System. Dietary treatment had no significant (P>0.05) effect on bone length. Bone weights for birds fed 9% mopane worm meal and bone widths for birds fed 4.5% mopane worm meal had lower weights (5.96 g) and widths (5.79 mm) than the other three treatments which did not differ significantly from each other. Bone mineral composition of guinea fowl fed diets with 4.5% mopane meal had significantly higher P (353.62 mg/l), Na (1332.96 mg/l) and K (1841 mg/l) contents than other treatment diets where the control and 13.5% mopane worm meal diets did not differ significantly. Generally, meat and blood mineral compositions of guinea fowl fed 4.5% mopane worm meal were higher than those fed on 13.5% mopane worm meal diet whilst control and 9% mopane worm meal were the same. Dietary treatments and age had a significant (P<0.05) effect on the daily mineral intake, faecal excretions and retention as percentage of mineral intake. Blood mineral composition and mineral retention increased with age as more minerals were required to support growth. Diets containing 3% fishmeal, 4.5% mopane meal and 9% mopane meal generally promote higher mineral intakes, bone physical development, bone and meat mineral compositions and retentions compared to 13.5% mopane worm meal. Results from the present study suggest that mopane worm meal can replace fishmeal up to 9% without negatively affecting mineral intake, retention and utilization.

Nutritive potential and utilization of super worm (Zophobas morio) meal in the diet of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) juvenile

Super worm meal (SWM) was evaluated to investigate the effect of partial or total replacement of fish meal (FM) in diets for tilapia juvenile, Oreochromis niloticus . Triplicate groups of fish with average initial body weight (5.57 ± 0.15 g) were fed each with 5 isonitrogeneous (32% crude protein) diets formulated to include 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% (diets 1 – 5, respectively) of FM substituted with SWM. After eight weeks of feeding trials, fish fed with diet 2 and 3 revealed the highest values for live weight gain, specific growth rates, better feed conversion ratio as well as protein efficiency ratio compared to the others. Survival range was 100% in all the treatments. However, fish fed to diet 5 exhibited lower growth than those fed others diets. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the moisture, protein, lipid and ash content in the whole body composition. These results clearly indicate that up to 25% of FM protein in fish diet can be replaced by SWM without any adverse effect on feed utilization and body composition. A decrease in weight gain and other growth associated parameters was observed with higher replacement.

Use of soy protein concentrate and novel ingredients in the total elimination of fish meal and fish oil in diets for juvenile cobia, Rachycentron canadum

Achieving true sustainability in fish farming requires the replacement of most of the fish meal and fish oil utilized as feedstuffs. The present experiment reports 2 feeding trials that resulted in the total replacement of fish meal and fish oil in juvenile cobia ( Rachycentron canadum). The first trial was conceived as a 2 × 3 factorial design with three levels of fish meal replacement (FMR; 50, 75 and 100% of dietary protein) by soy protein concentrate (SPC), and two levels of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) supplementation (0 or 0.3% of the diet). Since MOS has been reported to promote gut health and integrity, it was included in order to verify whether it would ease high levels of FMR. Lipids were supplied by menhaden oil. In the second feeding trial, fish meal was replaced by various combinations of SPC and soybean meal, again with or without MOS supplementation. In addition, some diets were supplemented with purified amino acids. Lipids were supplied by fish oil. A final diet (NOFM) was formulated using SPC, a marine worm meal, a nucleotide-rich yeast extract protein source, and MOS. In this last diet, lipids were supplied with a mix of soy oil and a DHA-rich algal meal, thereby completely eliminating both fish meal and fish oil. Over both feeding trials, juvenile cobia consistently exhibited excellent performance at 75% FMR and less. MOS did not have a significant effect, although a beneficial trend was observed in the first trial at 100% FMR. In the second trial, the fish fed the NOFM diet exhibited one of the best weight gains and feed efficiencies, with no mortality and no impact on muscle and liver composition. This result illustrates the crucial importance of the selection of feedstuffs for FMR and fish oil, since the NOFM diet did not receive amino acid supplementation. While this represents the first successful elimination of fish meal and fish oil in aquafeeds for cobia, the consistent, successful replacement of 94% of the fish meal in the other diets is actually more promising to the future as they solely utilized commodities traded (soy products) as replacement sources, which is the only road to true environmental and economical sustainability for the aquaculture industry.

Utilisation of Earthworm Meal in Partial Replacement of Soybean and Fish Meals in Diets of Broilers

Loh, T.C, Fong, L.Y., Foo, H.L., Thanh, N.T. and Sheikh-Omar, A.R. 2009. Utilisation of earthworm meal in partial replacement of soybean and fish meals in diets of broilers. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 29–32. To study the effect of worm meal (WM) as partial replacement of soybean and fish meals in the diets, a total of 245 day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five different treatment groups (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% WM) in partial replacement of soybean and fish meals for a period of 6 weeks. The final body weight, growth rate and feed efficiency of the 10% and 15% WM groups broiler were better (P<0.05) than that of the control group with no effect on feed intake. The digestibility of crude protein for WM was 63%. 10% WM group gave a higher (P<0.05) lactic acid bacteria counts and showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in Enterobacteriaceae count or fecal pH. These results suggest that WM could be used to replace soybean and fish meals between 10 to 15% in broiler diets.