Evaluation of the Carcass Proximate Composition of <i>Clarias gariepinus</i> (Burchell, 1822) Fingerlings Fed Different Levels of Maca (<i>Lepidium meyenii</i>, Walp.) Root Powder as Phyto-Additive

Abstract

A study was conducted at the Lay-Joy Fish Farm, Billiri, Gombe State Nigeria to evaluate the carcass proximate composition of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed different levels of Maca root powder as Phyto - additive. Five (5) isonitrogenous (40% crude protein) and isocaloric (1,732kcal kg-1 gross energy) diets were formulated, where Maca root powder in form of Phyto - additive was incorporated at 0.0g/100g (TM0), 0.25g/100g (TM1), 0.5g/100g (TM2), 0.75g/100g (TM3) and 1.0g/100g (TM4) inclusion levels, diet without Maca root powder (TM0), served as the control diet. The formulated diets were fed to Clarias gariepinus fingerlings (n = 300, 10.0±0.00g) in fifteen (15) rectangular white plastic tanks (n = 20) at a fixed feeding rate of 3% body weight twice daily between the hours of 8:00 - 9:00 am and 4:00 - 5:00 pm at regular interval and adjusted after every two (2) weeks of sampling for a period of twelve (12) weeks. Proximate analysis was carried out on a sample of the Clarias gariepinus fingerlings at the beginning of the experiment, at the end of the experiment three (3) Clarias gariepinus from each treatment were sacrificed and the carcass subjected to proximate analysis. Carcass crude protein value was highest in fish fed diet TM3 (72.00±1.32%) and least (67.80±1.96%) in the fish fed the control diet (TM0), carcass crude lipid value was highest in fish fed diet TM3 (14.70±1.19%) and least (14.07±2.45%) in the fish fed control diet (TM0), while the carcass crude fibre value was highest in fish fed control diet (TM0) (0.47±0.03%) and least (0.36±0.07%) in the fish fed diet TM3, carcass moisture value was highest in fish fed diet TM2 (1.64±0.07%) and least (1.41±0.04%) in the fish fed diet TM3, carcass ash value was highest in fish fed diet TM2 (11.15±2.03%) and least (10.00±1.67%) in the fish fed diet TM3 and the carcass nitrogen-free extract value was highest in fish fed control diet (TM0) (5.50±0.76%) and least (1.53±0.73%) in the fish fed diet TM3. The incorporation of Maca root powder as a Phyto-additive into the diet of Clarias gariepinus had no effect on the carcass proximate quality. Although there was a significant difference (p&lt;0.05) in the carcass proximate composition of the Clarias gariepinus, no clear trends were noticed. Feeding Clarias gariepinus fingerlings with Maca root powder at 0.75g/100g feed inclusion level as Phyto - additive is recommended. However, further research should be carried out on other Phyto - additives on their efficacy in determining the carcass proximate composition of Clarias gariepinus.