Suitability of discarded cashewnut (Anacardium occidentale) meal as replacement of soybean meal (Glycine max) in the diet of juvenile African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

Abstract

The search for alternative protein sources in aquaculture nutrition is still trending as the use of costly traditional feed stuffs in aquaculture diet formulation is no longer sustainable. The present study investigated the effects of partial and total dietary inclusion of cashewnut meal on growth, haematology, carcass composition, serum biochemistry and intestinal histology of juvenile African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822). Soybean meal (SBM) was substituted with cashewnut meal (CM) at 0, 50 and 100% in formulated fish diets. A total of 135 juveniles of C. gariepinus (30.25± 1.02 g; 16.08±0.34 cm) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments (0, 50 and 100% CM based diets) at a stocking density of 45 fish per treatment and further randomised into triplicates of 15 fish per replicate. The feeding trial lasted for 56 days and fish were fed twice daily at 5% body weight. Statistical analysis was carried out for all the parameters evaluated in this study. Fish group fed 50% CM based diet had the best growth performance and haematological profile when compared to 100% CM fish group and the control group. Insignificant changes in serum biochemical parameters were observed in CM fed fish groups when compared to the control. Histological examination of fish intestinal morphology revealed no adverse changes in the cellular structure of mucosal layer and villi in 50% CM fed fish, while mild histo-morphological changes were observed in 100% CM fed fish group. Significant increases in villi length and weight were observed in fish group fed CM based diets when compared to the control. The findings of the present study revealed that partial replacement (50%) of soybean with cashewnut meal improved growth performance and haematological profile of C. gariepinus.

Alternative protein source: Acceptability of cow blood meal in place of fish meal assessed via growth, antioxidant enzymes functions and haematological response inClarias gariepinus(Burchell, 1822)

“…However, the FM content in the control diet was 45% while CBM was 0%. Soybean used for diet formulation was toasted (Ogunji, 2004), before grinding to lessen antinutritional factors (Iheanacho et al, 2019; Nowshin et al, 2018).…”

“…In 10 years to come, the production of fishmeal is likely to increase by 25%–30% (FAO, 2016). To succeed in aquaculture, feed producers and farmers should be able to understand how to produce low‐cost fish feed that can meet nutritional requirements of the cultured fish species (Iheanacho et al, 2019). This forms the basis for alternative protein source research.…”

Housefly Maggot Meal as a Potent Bioresource for Fish Feed to Facilitate Early Gonadal Development in Clarias gariepinus (Burchell,1822)

“…Interestingly, there has been a paradigm shift in the aquaculture industry, as more attention is now paid by researchers and industry to alternative protein sources for aquafeed production [7]. This is in a bid to provide more viable and sustainable aquaculture operations with regards to feed production [12,13]. In light of this, the blue bioeconomy remains critical to ensuring smooth and sustainable aquaculture.…”

“…In practice, various researchers in the field of aquaculture have reported the efficacy of many unconventional protein sources of plant and animal origin that could replace fish meal and other conventional protein sources in aquaculture diet. Some of the alternatives that have been suggested include algae meal, blood meal, poultry offal, insect meal (black solider fly, grasshopper), housefly (Musca domestica) maggot meal, cashew nut waste, Bambara nut and African yam bean [12,13,[15][16][17].…”

Adulteration of aquafeed with melamine and melamine‐formaldehyde chemicals; Ex situ study of impact on haematology and antioxidant systems in Clarias gariepinus

“…African catfish Clarias gariepinus is an important/commercial species highly relished in the African continent and other tropical zones of the world (Iheanacho et al, 2019; Ogunji et al, 2020; Okoro et al, 2019). C .…”