Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of soaked Bauhinia monandra (Kutz) seed as alternative protein source for Clarias gariepinus and to determine cost of feed compounded. The proximate analysis of the diet (crude protein, crude fibre, ash, moisture content and lipid) were determined using AOAC (1980). Data for each parameter was subjected to one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) while means of various results were compared at 5% level of significance. A preliminary study was conducted to determine the best processing method that reduced anti-nutrients to the minimum level without impairing nutrients composition. Boiled, toasted and soaked seeds were used. Bauhinia seeds soaked for 96 hours had least concentration of anti-nutrients. The experimental diets was formulated to contain soaked Bauhinia seed meal (SBSM) at levels of 25%, 50% and 75% inclusion (Diets 2, 3 and 4 respectively)  with two diets acting as control (Diets 1 and 5). All diets were isonitrogenous (40% crude protein) and isocaloric (3212kcal/kg). A 12 weeks feeding trial was conducted using juveniles which were randomly distributed into 12 improvised non-recirculatory and semi-flow through indoor plastic tanks (52cm X 34cm X 33.5cm) at a stocking rate of 10 fish per tank and three (3) replicates per treatment. The experimental design was complete randomized. The fish were fed at 5% body weight, twice daily. Diets with higher inclusion levels of SBSM (diets 3 and 4) significantly depressed growth performance of fish. The variations observed in the Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), Feed Efficiency Ratio (FER) and Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) were associated with the anti-nutrients present in the diets, these parameters reduced with increasing levels of SBSM in the diets of fish. Based on the relative cost of diets per unit weight gain and protein gain, diet 2 (25% SBSM) was most economical. The results suggested that SBSM can be used to substitute up to 25% levels of dietary protein in C. gariepinus juveniles without significant reduction in growth.

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