EFFECT OF DIETARY PROTEIN INGREDIENTS FROM NONTOXIC AGRICULTURAL FIELD SOURCES ON MEAT QUALITY OF NILE TILAPIA (OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS)

Abstract

This research investigated the effects of dietary protein ingredients from non-toxic agricultural
field sources on the production quality of the Nile tilapia. The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is a
species of freshwater fish that is of significant economic value. The experiments deployed three different
dietary treatments as the tilapia feeds: pure rice bran (Treatment 1 or T1); a mixed feed of fish meal, rice bran
and dried corn grains (T2); and a commercial feed (T3). The measurements of growth were taken every 14
days for a total period of 120 days, while the survival rate and the meat quality parameters with respect to
color values (L*, a* and b*), texture and sensory preference were determined at the start and termination and
compared. The findings revealed a significant difference in the growth weights (p0.05), with T2 achieving
the greatest weights (75.426.0 g). The average daily growth (ADG) and the feed conversion ratio (FCR)
were also highest for the T2 group, with an average of 1.270.12 g/day (p0.05) and 1.740.42 (p>0.05),
respectively. Overall, the composition of the dietary protein ingredients from non-toxic agricultural field
sources significantly influences on the meat quality and sensory preference of O. niloticus.