Comparative Effects of Mucuna pruriens, Carica papaya Seeds and 17α-Methyltestosterone on Growth Performance and Feed Utilization of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract

The use of synthetic androgens for monosex Nile tilapia production has improved growth and production efficiency, but concerns regarding cost, accessibility and sustainability have stimulated interest in plant-derived alternatives. Mucuna pruriens and Carica papaya seeds contain bioactive compounds with potential growth-promoting and endocrine-modulating properties. This study evaluated the effects of Mucuna pruriens seed powder (MPSP), Carica papaya seed powder (CPSP), their combination and 17α-methyltestosterone (17α-MT) on growth performance and feed utilisation of Oreochromis niloticus. Nile tilapia fry were subjected to dietary treatments in a completely randomised experimental design with three replications. Experimental diets contained MPSP, CPSP, their combination, or 17α-MT at 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g kg⁻¹ feed, with untreated fish serving as controls. Fish were fed experimental diets for 28 days and subsequently cultured under controlled conditions. Growth and feed-utilisation indices were evaluated using weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE). Treatment means were compared statistically at P ≤ 0.05. Significant differences occurred among treatments for growth and feed utilisation. Fish receiving 17α-MT recorded the highest weight gain (60.10 ± 3.10 g), SGR (2.85 ± 0.09% day⁻¹), and FCE (71.4 ± 1.5%), together with the lowest FCR (1.40 ± 0.02). The combined MPSP+CPSP treatment produced statistically comparable performance, with weight gain of 52.30 ± 2.80 g, SGR of 2.60 ± 0.10% day⁻¹, FCR of 1.60 ± 0.03 and FCE of 62.5 ± 1.4%. Individual MPSP and CPSP treatments produced lower growth responses, while the control recorded the poorest performance. Weight gain in MPSP-, CPSP-, combined-treatment and control groups was 45.20 ± 2.10, 48.60 ± 2.40, 52.30 ± 2.80 and 35.00 ± 1.90 g, respectively. Although 17α-MT produced the highest overall growth and feed-utilisation performance, the combined application of MPSP and CPSP approached the performance of the synthetic androgen and substantially outperformed the individual botanical treatments. The combined botanical formulation therefore represents a promising nature-based feed additive for sustainable Nile tilapia production.