UTILIZATION OF SHEA NUT (Vitellaria paradoxa) FRACTIONS (SHEA NUT MEAL AND SHEA NUT RESIDUE) IN PRACTICAL DIETS OF Clarias

Abstract

Feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the utilization of shea nut (Vitellaria paradoxa) fractions (shea nut meal and shea nut residue) in the practical diets of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings through their mineral composition, proximate composition and nutrient utilization for a period of 56 days. It is an attempt towards reducing the high cost of feed in aquaculture through the use of energy rich diets for feeding trial. 600 Fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus with an average weight of (3.02 ± 0.54 g) fed 9 formulated diets and commercial reference diet (CRD) Multifeed for both experiment, Diet 2 (10 % Lipid and 30 % Protein), Diet 3 (15 % Lipid and 30 % Protein), Diet 4 (20 % Lipid and 30 % Protein), Diet 5 (10 % Lipid and 35 % CP), Diet 6 (15 % Lipid and 35 % Protein), Diet 7 (20 % Lipid and 35% Protein), Diet 8 (10 % Lipid and 40 % Protein), Diet 9 (15 % Lipid and 40 % Protein) and Diet 10 (20 % Lipid and 40 % Protein), all in ratio. Results obtained showed significant difference (p<0.05) in the mean weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and specific growth rate. However, diet 9 with Shea nut meal inclusion exhibited highest mean weight gain 9 (13.70 ± 0.21 g) and survival rate (80 %) than other diets in experiment one (1), and experiment Two (2) commercial reference diet D1 (CRD) had the highest mean weight gain (12.29 ± 0.06 g), specific growth rate (2.59 % day-1 ) and survival rate (76.76 %) compared to other diets. Similarly, in experiment two (2) which has shea nut residue inclusion, diets10 has the highest lipid and correspondingly low body crude protein than other diets. Experiment two (2) with shea nut residue inclusion, commercial reference diet (D1) and diet 9 demonstrated good growth performance and body compositions than other diet in experiment two (2). It was observed that all water quality parameters were within the acceptable range for culturing Clarias gariepinus fingerling throughout the experimental period. Inferences from this study recommends inclusion of varying levels of Shea nut meal and Shea nut residue in the diets of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings for efficient growth at (15 Protein: 40 Lipid), which has a positive effect on the growth performance and survival rate of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings