The effect of various dietary starch to proteins ratios (STA/P) on growth performance, oxidative status and liver enzyme activities involved in intermediary metabolism in juvenile Nile tilapia was evaluated. Four isocaloric‐practical diets (12.73 MJ kg−1 digestible energy) with increasing STA/CP ratios were formulated. These were designated D0 (344 g crude protein (CP) and 163.5 g starch (STA) kg−1), D1 (310 g CP and 243 g STA kg−1), D2 (258 g CP and 322 g STA kg−1) and D3 (214 g CP and 401 g STA kg−1). Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of 60 fish (2.7 g) for 45 days. Compared with the control diet (D0), significantly (P < 0.05) depressed growth and feed efficiency were observed only in the groups fed on diet D3. The activities of hepatic enzymes involved in glycolysis and lipogenesis pathways were significantly enhanced in groups fed on diet D3 compared with other diets. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in catalase activity was detected only in groups fed on diet D3. Similarly, a significant (P < 0.05) enhancement in superoxyde dismutase, glutathione S‐transferases and glutathione peroxidise was observed in groups fed on diets D2 and D3 compared with other diets. Results demonstrate the ability of juvenile Nile tilapia to spare protein by dietary carbohydrate.
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