AN EVALUATION OF SUNDRIED CASSAVA PEEL MEAL AS PARTIAL REPLACEMENT FOR MAIZE IN THE DIETS FOR Clarias gariepinus FINGERLINGS

Maize is the conventional source of energy in fish diets, especially in the developing world. However, maize has become costly as a result of its relevance in human nutrition and competition from other livestock feed industries; for which reason its use in fish feed is becoming increasingly unjustified (Tewe, 2004).  There is therefore the need to explore cheaper alternatives to reduce the cost of fish feed. Cassava peel, a major by-product of the cassava processing industry; representing about 10-13% of tuber weight (Oladunjoye et al., 2010), is readily available in countries like Nigeria where cassava is cultivated and processed into food for human consumption. A major drawback to the use of cassava peel in fish diets is its content of hydrocyanic acid (HCN) which can inhibit several enzyme systems, depress growth through interference with certain essential amino acids among other harmful effects (Oresegun et al., 2016). Acceptability and utilization of cassava peel in fish diets will therefore depend on the extent of its HCN detoxification.  This study investigated the performance implication of feeding graded levels of sundried cassava peel meal to Clarias gariepinus.

Four isonitrogenous (35% crude protein) diets were formulated in which sundried cassava peel meal (SCPM) replaced maize at graded levels of 0, 25, 50 and 75%. The diets were designated has control, 25S, 50S and 75S and fed to triplicate groups of Clarias gariepinus (average weight, 5.33±0.02g) fingerlings for 56 days.  The weight gain (14.82±1.35) of the group that received 25S was significantly (P<0.05) better than those that received 50S (11.87±0.37) but statistically similar to the control and 75S. There was a decreasing trend in the packed cell volume, haemoglobin and red blood cell with inclusion levels of SCPM. The serum total protein of the group that received 25S and 75S were similar and significantly higher than the control and 25S.

The results showed that sundried cassava peel meal can be incorporated in the diets for Clarias gariepinus fingerlings as a replacement for maize at 25% replacement level without compromising growth and nutrient utilization.