Jatropha curcas kernel meal as a replacement for fishmeal in practical Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus feeds

Citation

Krome CA, Jauncey K & Focken U (2016) Jatropha curcas kernel meal as a replacement for fishmeal in practical Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus feeds. Aquaculture, Aquarium, Conservation and Legislation, 9 (3), pp. 590-596. http://www.bioflux.com.ro/docs/2016.590-596.pdf

Abstract
Jatropha curcas is an upcoming oil-seed plant with increasing cultivation area each year throughout the tropics. After de-oiling the seeds, a protein-rich meal (JKM) is left behind, which has a similar amino acid composition and content compared to fishmeal. To test JKM as an alternative protein source, a mixed diet was formulated in which 25% of the total dietary protein was derived from fishmeal and the rest from soybean meal, rice bran and wheat meal (control). Three further isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets replacing 30%, 70% or 100%, respectively, of the fishmeal protein with JKM were produced and fed to juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) for 8 weeks. There were no significant differences in growth parameters between all treatments containing JKM, however, regression analysis revealed a significant negative correlation of JKM content to final weight and specific growth rate. The 70% and 100% replacement levels showed higher body lipid and significantly lower ash content. JKM is a promising alternative protein source in aquaculture diets for tilapia, though slower growth in this experiment suggests the need for further research to improve the nutritional value of JKM.

Keywords
fish meal substitution; plant protein; tropical biofuel crops; essential amino acids; cichlids

Journal
Aquaculture, Aquarium, Conservation and Legislation: Volume 9, Issue 3

• 2016.590-596.pdf