Prototypic use of albino rats for biological evaluation of the potential of processed baobab seed as feedstuff in African catfish diet

Abstract

Processed baobab seed meals were investigated as possible protein source in fish feed with prototypic use of albino rats. Baobab seeds were subjected to six processing methods: autoclaving (0.15MPa for 30 mins), toasting (150⁰C for 30 mins) and soaking (72 hours) in water, liquor, alkali and pulp. The seeds were used to formulate eight isonitrogenous (10%CP) diets including six test diets, a basal and a standard diet for weaning albino rats. The biological values of rats fed test diets (99.43%-99.91%) were significantly the same (p>0.05) as those fed casein (99.89%). The true digestibility values of rats fed test diets were also significantly the same (p>0.05) as those fed casein (99.82%) except those fed soaked in liquor baobab seed (98.54%s). There was increase in mean weight gained of the rats fed soaked in alkali baobab seed meal, 2.03+3.62g while rats fed other test diets showed decrease in weight gained. Soaked in alkali baobab seed meal have a good potential of been used as a protein source in fish feed.

Keywords: Baobab, Rat, Fishfeed, Processing