Evaluation of pineapple crush waste meal as an energy feedstuff in the diets of tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus.

Abstract

Pineapple crush waste (PCW) was used to replace maize as an energy source in the diets of Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Five diets (31.52-32.51% crude protein) was formulated in which yellow maize was replaced at varying level with pineapple waste as follows: Diet 1 (100% yellow maize), diet 2 (75% yellow maize, 25% PCW), diet 3 (50% yello maize, 50% PCW), diet 4 (25% yellow maize, 75% PCW), diet 5 (100%PCW). Growth performance of fish was highest in diet 4 for all investigated growth parameters such as average daily growth (0.73g), final body weight (76.21g) and protein efficiency ratio (2.02). differences in FCR and PER were not significantly different between all diets. Diet with 100% PCW had the least growth performance. Results from the study showed that PCW was better utilized by Tilapia fish when the level of its replacement was either equal or slightly higher than that of yellow maize. Tilapia fish did not thrive well when the maize in practical diets was replaced completely with PCW.