Growth Response and Diet Utilization of Clarias gariepinus (Clariidae) Fed Diets Containing Cassava Leaf Protein Concentrate as Plant Protein Source

Abstract

Abstract

Cassava leaf protein concentrate (CLPC) was evaluated as a dietary protein source for Clarias gariepinus (6.4±0.4g). A control diet contained solvent-extracted soybean meal (SBM), which was stepwise substituted at 20-80% with CLPC in test diets. Catfish fingerlings were fed at 5% body weight/day for 70 days in triplicate diet treatments. No catfish mortality occurred in all treatments. Where CLPC substituted up to 40% of dietary SBM, no adverse effects occurred in growth response and diet utilization. Catfish growth declined and diet was poorly utilized beyond this substitution level, caused by a reduction in protein and energy digestibility. Haematological parameters of catfish in all treatments were similar (P >0.05). Histological sections of the liver in catfish fed diets containing CLPC substitution up to 40% of dietary SBM showed normal architecture, while those fed higher levels showed slight to severe alterations due to residual anti-nutrients