Evaluation of Telfairia occidentalis Leaf Meal Potentials as a Possible Substitute to Fishmeal

Authors: Ejere VC, Chigbogu NR and Nnamonu EI*

Volume 1, Issue 1

Abstract

The present study was designed to evaluate the acceptability and growth performance of African catfish (Heterobranchus bidorsalis) fingerlings treated with graded levels of Telfairia occidentalis leaf meal used as substitute to fishmeal. One hundred and thirty-five H. bidorsalis fingerlings were assigned into five treatment groups with three replicates per group. Five iso-nitrogenous diets (45% crude protein) were formulated by substituting fishmeal with T. occidentalis leaf meal. The control diet (T0) contained 0% T. occidentalis leaf meal while the other experimental diets (T10, T20, T30 and T40) contained T. occidentalis leaf meal at the percentage of 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%, respectively. Treatment lasted fortytwo days, the experimental diets were administered at 5% of body weight two times daily (9am and 4pm). Water was changed every three days and mortality monitored daily. The acceptability indices of the diets, body weight (g) and length (cm) were measured and recorded weekly. The control diet (T0) recorded the most effective results in all parameters evaluated compared with all treatments. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was recorded in the water qualities tested. Conclusively, It is evident from this study that fishmeal cannot be replaced totally by T. occidentalis leaf meal in the diet of H. bidorsalis fingerlings. However, based on the non-significant difference (p > 0.05) observed in the growth performance of H. bidorsalis fingerlings fed the control diet and 10% Telfairia-based diet, we recommend that H. bidorsalis fingerling producers can substitute fishmeal with T. occidentalis leaf meal just at an optimal level of 10%.

Keywords: Telfairia occidentalis leaf meal; Heterobranchus bidorsalis; Fishmeal; Acceptability; Growth performance

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