International Journal of
Fisheries and Aquaculture

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Fish. Aquac.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2006-9839
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJFA
  • Start Year: 2010
  • Published Articles: 235

Full Length Research Paper

Formulating efficient and affordable feeds for Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) based on locally available ingredients in Benin, West Africa

Adékambi D. Adéyèmi
  • Adékambi D. Adéyèmi
  • Laboratory of Valorization and Quality Management of Food Bio-ingredients, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526 Cotonou, Benin.
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Adéchola P. P. Kayodé
  • Adéchola P. P. Kayodé
  • Laboratory of Valorization and Quality Management of Food Bio-ingredients, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526 Cotonou, Benin.
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Ifagbémi B. Chab
  • Ifagbémi B. Chab
  • Laboratory of Valorization and Quality Management of Food Bio-ingredients, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526 Cotonou, Benin.
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Abdel-Fadel Alamou
  • Abdel-Fadel Alamou
  • Laboratory of Valorization and Quality Management of Food Bio-ingredients, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526 Cotonou, Benin.
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Martinus J. R. Nout
  • Martinus J. R. Nout
  • Ronfostec, Papenpad 14, 6705 AX Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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Anita R. Linnemann
  • Anita R. Linnemann
  • Department of Food Quality and Design, Wageningen University, P. O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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  •  Received: 02 March 2023
  •  Accepted: 15 March 2024
  •  Published: 30 June 2024

Abstract

An affordable feed for the growth of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) juveniles was developed in Benin as an alternative to high-cost imported feed. Initially, locally available fish feed ingredients were inventoried. Subsequently, six feed formulas (Feeds 1 to 6) were developed using linear algebra software, and the feeds were pelleted using a locally built extruder. The protein content of the formulated feeds ranged from 366 to 405 g kg-1, fat content from 84 to 111 g kg-1, and carbohydrate content from 239 to 330 g kg-1. Among the formulations, Feed 1 (protein: 390 g kg-1, fat: 84 g kg-1, carbohydrates: 330 g kg-1) closely matched the nutritional composition of the imported feed (protein: 424 g kg-1, fat: 84 g kg-1, carbohydrates: 346 g kg-1) commonly used by most fish farmers in Benin for catfish. Additionally, it had the lowest ingredient cost (0.46 US$ kg-1). Following this, the growth of C. gariepinus fingerlings was evaluated when fed with Feed 1 in a 56-day exploratory trial. The weight gain, feed intake, and protein intake of fish fed with Feed 1 were significantly lower (p = 0.000 for each parameter) than those fed with the control feed. However, Feed 1 exhibited a good Feed Conversion Ratio (1.25) and an acceptable protein efficiency ratio (2.05).

Key words: Extrusion, feed formulation, feeding trial, feed ingredients, nutritional composition.

Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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