Evaluation of tempeh as a potential alternative protein source in the diets for juvenile tiger grouper, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus

Abstract

A 56-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the potential of replacing fishmeal (FM) with tempeh (TMP) in the diets for juvenile tiger grouper (TG), Epinephelus fuscoguttatus. Five isoproteic (50%) and isolipidic (16%) diets containing FM replaced by TMP at 0, 30, 40, 50% (namely TMP0, TMP30, TMP40, TMP50, respectively), and by 30% soybean meal supplemented with phytase (SBM30) were fed to triplicate group of fish (10.09±0.15g). Weight gain (WG) and feed intake (FI) of TMP0 group were significantly higher (201.42% and 1 g fish-1 day-1, respectively) than those fed with TMP-based diets and SBM30 (P< 0.05). On the other hand, fish fed with TMP40 attained highest WG (165.55%) among all groups fed with TMP-based diets. Despite the poorer WG and FI, TMP40 and TMP50 groups resulted in better feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and net protein utilization (NPU) (P< 0.05) than other diets. Moderate soybean-induced distal intestine enteritis was observed in all fish fed with diets containing soy protein but signs of inflammation became increased as TMP inclusion level increased. The current findings indicated that TMP could be used as a potential alternative protein source in the diet of TG, preferably with addition of essential amino acids and feed stimulants.