ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIVE POTENTIAL OF TERMITES AS PROTEIN SUPPLIMENT IN TILAPIA Oreochromis niloticus

Termites have high nutritional value and may be used as an important source of protein, fats, fiber, ash, vitamins and minerals. Increasing cost of high quality fish meal demands to search for cheap alternative sources of animal protein. Present study was conducted to evaluate the nutritive potential of subterranean termites ''Heterotermes indicola'' as protein supplements on tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Proximate analysis of termite showed 37% crude protein, 39.4% moisture and lowest ash contents 3.44% while crude fiber was high 14.8 % which showed high chitin content, due to the termite exoskeleton. Fish were fed with experimental diets specially formulated to evaluate termites as a dietary protein source for tilapia. Termite meal was used to replace fish meal in the diets at 0% (Diet Tm1- control diet), 50% (Diet Tm₂), 75% (Diet Tm₃) and 100% termite meal inclusion levels (Diet Tm₄). Water stability of the experimental diets ranged between (33.6-33.8 ⁰C). Fish were subjected to proximate analysis for evaluation of total protein content, crude fiber, fat, ash and moisture content of control and treated groups. Termite meal had a crude protein of 37% while fish meal used has 30% crude protein that was significantly varied at P<0.05. Results showed an increasing order in growth performances with increasing termite meal. Significantly highest mean weight gain of 31.7 g/fish with a specific growth rate of 3.16%/day was observed in tilapia fingerlings fed TM whereas protein efficiency ratio (PER) of 86.1 and lowest feed conversion ratio of 1.17 were exhibited by D4 (100% termite meal). Growth in group D3 (75% TM/25% FM) resulted in second best values. Least values of growth parameters were recorded in D2 and D1 with inclusion levels of 0% and 100% TM. Thus 100% inclusion levels of termite meal yielded the best result in a practical diet for Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings for a profitable and sustainable aquaculture ventures.