Replacement of fish meal with fermented moringa leaves meal and its effect on the growth performance of red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.)

The purpose of the present research was to evaluate the nutritional content of fermented Moringa oleifera leaves meal and to find out the effect of fish meal replacement with fermented Moringa leaves meal (FMLM) in diets on the growth performance of red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.). The treatments include replacement of the fish meal with FMLM at 0, 10, 20, and 30. Red tilapia with total length of 9-10 cm was fed twice daily for two months at a feeding rate of 3 of total biomass. The results revealed that fermentation increased the moisture, protein, ash, total lipid, calcium, and phosphorous content in Moringa leaves meal (MLM). The fermentation process actually reduced the anti-nutrient substances (phenol, tannin, phytic acid, and hydrogen cyanide (HCN)) in MLM. Fish meal replacement with FMLM in diets significantly affected feed digestibility. FMLM can be used as a replacement for fish meal in diet at 30 with only limited effect on the growth performance of red tilapia. © 2020, BIOFLUX SRL. All rights reserved.