GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF THE AFRICAN CATFISH (CLARIAS GARIEPINUS) FINGERLINGS FED DIETS WITH VARYING LEVELS OF ORANGE FLESHED SWEET POTATO (IPOMEA BATATAS) PEEL

Abstract

The present study examined the growth and biochemical performance of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed experimental diets containing different percentages of orange fleshed Ipomea batatas peel meal. Experimental diets were prepared with differing levels of incorporation of Ipomea batatas peel meal (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%) as replacement for traditional feed ingredients. Fish were fed for 16 weeks and the growth performance, feed consumption, and biochemical variables were measured. The results indicated that the treatment and control groups exhibited significant variations (p<0.05) in growth performance, and maximum weight gain (117.91±0.80 g) and feed consumption (271.43±2.14 g) were achieved for the control diet (0% orange fleshed Ipomea batatas peel meal). Minimum weight gain (92.65±0.28 g) and feed intake (197.19±11.33 g) were recorded for the diet containing 100% orange fleshed Ipomea batatas peel meal. Biochemical parameters indicated significant alteration in serum parameters (p<0.05), i.e., reduction in creatinine, total protein, and albumin, and electrolytes (sodium and potassium) with increased intake of Ipomea batatas peel meal. Creatinine fell from 1.18±0.09 mg/dL in control to 0.85±0.02 mg/dL for the 100% peel meal diet. Protein content fell from 2.59±0.09 g/dL for the control to 1.72±0.03 g/dL for the 100% peel meal diet. Albumin reduced from 0.88±0.01 g/dL to 0.72±0.01 g/dL with the treatments. Sodium concentration reduced from 40.86±0.93 mg/dL in control to 36.21±0.11 mg/dL in the 100% peel diet, and potassium concentration reduced from 17.65±0.05 mg/dL to 17.12±0.64 mg/dL, respectively. These results indicate that although orange fleshed Ipomea batatas peel meal is a cheaper substitute feed ingredient, increased use of it may have a negative impact on growth and biochemical indices of protein metabolism and electrolyte balance.