Dietary Protein Replacement of Fish Meal with Sunflower Meal: Effects on Growth and Digestive Enzyme Responses of Etroplus Suratensis Fingerlings

By : Ahilan Kamalii , A. Jackqulinwino , B. Ahilan , Cheryl Antony

Page No: 21-30

Abstract :
A 60-day feeding trial was carried out to investigate the effect of dietary replacement of fish meal with a plant protein source (Sunflower meal) on growth performance and digestive enzyme activities of Etroplus suratensis fingerling. Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated with sunflower meal replacing fish meal at 0 (To), 7.5 (T7.5), 15 (T15), and 22.5% (T22.5) levels. The initial average weight of f ish was 5.48±0.01 g, which were distributed into (number of tanks) (60 l) at a stocking rate of 10 fish per tank. Each diet was fed to three replicate groups of fishes. Fish fed with 15% sunflower meal attained the highest weight gain, specific growth rate, average daily growth, the protein efficiency ratio (p<0.05) and protease activity. This study highlights the effective replacement of the fish meal with sunflower meal and investigates the influence of sunflower meal on the growth performance and digestive enzyme activity of Etroplus suratensis fingerlings.
 

Authors :
Ahilan Kamalii : University of Calgary, Canada
A. Jackqulinwino : Dr.M.G.R Fisheries College and Research institute, Ponneri, Tamil Nadu, India
B. Ahilan : Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India
Cheryl Antony : Dr.M.G.R Fisheries College and Research institute, Ponneri, Tamil Nadu, India
 

DOI: http://doi.org/10.32381/JAT.2023.38.1-4.2