Replacement of groundnut cake with rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) seed cake in diets for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the level of rubber seed cake (RSC) that could be used to replace groundnut cake (GNC) in practical diets of Oreochromis niloticus. RSC, a by-product of the oil extraction of the rubber tree seed and GNC were interchangeably replaced in the formulation of five experimental diets fed to the fish. Fish fed with 30% RSC inclusion level gave the best result with the highest SGR (1.73), best food conversion ratio [FCR (1.69)] and protein efficiency ratio [PER (1.97)]. These values were statistically superior (P > 0.05) to those of the other diets. This was followed by the group fed the control diet (CD), while the poorest result was obtained in the group fed test diet with 60% RSC inclusion level. This study showed that an equal replacement of GNC with RSC was best suitable as dietary protein source for O. niloticus.


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Journal of Aquatic Sciences Vol.19(1) 2004: 27-31