Product Quality Assessment of Clarias gariepinus Fed on Varying Dietary Levels of Azadirachta indica Leaf Meal

Abstract

This feeding trial was conducted to assess the body composition and product quality of Clarias gariepinus fed dietary levels of Azadirachta Indica leaf meal (AILM). Four isonitrogenous diets of 36% crude protein were formulated containing 0, 5, 10 and 15% AILM (Diets 1-4). The diet containing 0% leaf meal (Diet 1) served as the control. Each dietary treatment was tested in triplicate group of 15 fingerlings per aquarium. Samples from each treatment were analyzed bi-weekly to evaluate their carcass composition, and data subjected to a one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), while organoleptic assessment was carried out at the end of the experiment to determine the end product quality. The results for carcass composition show that fish fed on diets 3 and 4 (10% and 15% AILM respectively) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in crude protein but were significantly (P<0.05) poorer in moisture content. Crude fibre was significantly (P<0.05) highest for fish fed on diet 4. Fish on all dietary treatments were of good quality as shown in their mean scores both of fresh and cooked samples. Fish on diet 1 (0% AILM) dietary treatment were however significantly (P<0.05) superior to fish on other dietary treatments both for fresh and cooked samples. The present study shows that Azadirachta indica leal meal as feed ingredient in the diets of Clarias gariepinus, had no deteriorating effect on carcass composition and product quality of the fish.