Authors : O.M.G. Abu, L.O. Sanni, E.S. Erondu and O.A. Akinrotimi
Abstract: The chemical composition and cyanide levels of hybrid catfish fed with whole cassava root meal as a replacement for maize were analyzed and evaluated. Four different diets with varying levels of replacement of maize meal with whole cassava root meal were formulated and designated Ao, B33, C66 and D100 with 0, 33, 66 and 100% of whole cassava root meal inclusion, respectively. The fish were fed for a period of 32 weeks. The result from the study indicated there was no significant different in chemical composition of the experimental diets except in their cyanide levels, Ao (control) had 0.00 mg kg¯1; diets B33 (0.02), C66 0.04 and D100 had 0.09 cyanide levels. The chemical composition of the experimental fish shown that the there were no significant different in the proximate level of the fish fed with different diets. The cyanide levels increased as the level of whole cassava root meal inclusion in the diets increased. Diet Ao (control), had 0.02 mg kg¯1; diet B33 0.03 mg kg¯1; while diet C66 0.05 mg kg¯1 and diet D100 0.08. These values are within tolerable range for the normal metabolism of the fish. Therefore, it can be concluded from the results obtained in this trial that whole cassava root meal can replace maize successfully without any adverse effect.
O.M.G. Abu, L.O. Sanni, E.S. Erondu and O.A. Akinrotimi, 2010. Chemical Composition and Cyanide Levels of Hybrid Catfish Fed Whole Cassava Root Meal in Replacement of Maize. Journal of Food Technology, 8: 52-57.