Apparent Digestibility and Utilization of Protein and Phosphorus in diets of incorporated with Sprouted Sorghum, Phytase and Protease Enzymes for African Catfi sh (Clarias gariepinus)

Abstract

Apparent digestibility, deposition and retention of crude protein and phosphorus were determined for 30%, 35%, 50% and 55% CP diets incorporated with sprouted sorghum, phytase and protease enzymes ,fed to African catfish fingerlings. All digestibility coefficients significantly differed (p<0.05) among diets with 92.66% observed for phosphorus in 30% and 35%CP diets with1250 units of phytase, and 81.49% for protein in 50%CP and 55% CP diets with 1250 units of protease. Crude protein deposition and retention significantly differed (p<0.05) with the highest (705.10 and 10.03 respectively) recorded in diets with 1250 protease while that of phosphorus did not in both cases (p>0.05). This demonstrated that protease was more useful in starter (high protein) diets and phytase enzyme in grower (low protein) diets and forms a basis for efficient use of phytase and protease enzymes in catfish diet formulations for different growth stages.