African palm kernel meal on Nile tilapia: productive performance

Abstract

To evaluate the nutritional value of African palm kernel meal (Elaeis guineensis) on the performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), five isonitrogenous (30% crude protein), isoenergetic (2,800 Kcal/kg of digestible energy), and isofibrous (10% crude fiber) diets, with increasing levels of African palm kernel meal (0, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35%) were fed ad libitum for 18 weeks to Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings, averaging 1.52 ± 0.04 g of body weight, housed for 120 days in 60 liter aquaria with six fingerlings. To determine the production traits, weight gain, apparent food conversion, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, weight gain percentage, net protein utilization, and body composition, fish were weighted at six-week intervals. Statistical analysis of recorded data were performed through multivariate profile analysis and polynomial regression models. Results showed that feeding fingerling Nile tilapia with ratios containing up to 35% of African palm kernel meal does not affect production performance.