FEED VALUE OF FERMENTED COPRA MEAL AS A SUSTAINABLE FEED INGREDIENT IN THE DIET OF SALINE-TOLERANT NILE TILAPIA OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS (LINNAEUS 1758)

Abstract

Tilapia cultures in seawater environment are currently experiencing an expansion, but their sustainability is primarily dependent on feed costs. Fermented copra meal is a potential source of sustainable feed ingredient, but its use in aquaculture feeds has not been fully investigated. This study evaluated the feed value of fermented copra meal (FCM) as a replacement of soybean meal (SBM) in the diet of juvenile Nile tilapia reared in seawater conditions. Four experimental diets containing graded levels of FCM were formulated replacing SBM at 0%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. Juvenile tilapia (size: 0.77 ± 0.04g) were divided into four treatment groups, ran in triplicates, with 10 fish per tank, and fed the experimental diets for 50 days. The results indicate that 75% of SBM could be replaced with FCM or at a dietary inclusion level of 285g of FCM per 1kg of diet. This high dietary inclusion level has no negative effect on nutrient retention, liver metabolic enzymes, digestive enzyme activities, and intestinal morphology of the studied fish. The use of FCM as a feed ingredient is a sustainable approach to satisfy the feed requirements of the expansion of tilapia aquaculture in seawater environment.