Evaluation of linseed meal as feed ingredient in diets of growing Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) [electronic resource].

Includes reference.

A laboratory growth experiment was conducted to evaluate the suitability of various levels of linseed meal as a dietary protein source for Nile tilapia. Five experimental diets were formulated containing different levels of linseed meal to substitute soybean meal protein at rates of 0%,25%, 50%, 75%,and 100 %. All diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous and contained about 30% crude protein. The diets were evaluated on the basis of fish survival, growth, feed conversion, protein efficiency ratio, protein productive value, body composition and internal organs indices. Significantly (P<0.05) variations were observed in growth responses and feed conversion ratios among the control diet and the diet containing (25 %) linseed meal. The diets containing 50, 75, and 100% linseed meal showed the poorest performance. Simihu trends were also observed in protein efficiency ratio and protein productive value, all diets except that containing (50,75,and 100% linseed meal) which showed the poorest value. The carcass composition of experimental fish was relatively effected by different dietary treatments. Cost benefit analysis showed that low profit index and high incidence cost were obtained by the control diet. Keywords: Nile tilapia, linseed meal, performance.

Summary in Arabic.

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