Authors : O.M.G. Abu, U.U. Gabriel, L.O. Sanni and O.A. Akinrotimi
Abstract: This study was done to evaluate the biochemical changes associated with the replacement of maize with varying levels of whole cassava root meal in the diet of hybrid catfish. Four diets with varying replacement levels of maize with whole cassava root meal at 0% (Ao), 33% (B33), 66% (C66) and 100% (D100) were formulated and fed to hybrid catfish fingerlings for a period of 32 weeks. And the following biochemical properties were evaluated: serum metabolites namely creatinine, urea, total protein, bilurubin a. and b., while for serum enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH). The results indicated that creative and total protein were significant (p>0.05) in all the treated diets and had a concentration depended increase above the control values. Whereas the reverse was the case with bilirubin b., which was higher in the control than in the treated group. For the serum enzymes evaluated in this trial, replacement of maize with whole cassava root meal caused a significant declined (p<0.05) in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phoslatase (ALP) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) at all levels. While the values of Alamine amino transferase (ALT) increased considerably (p<0.05). The mean values of these metabolites and enzymes were within the acceptable range for normal metabolism of hybrid catfish. It can therefore be concluded that whole cassava root meal can adequately replace maize without any adverse effects on the biochemical properties of the fish.
O.M.G. Abu, U.U. Gabriel, L.O. Sanni and O.A. Akinrotimi, 2009. Evaluatoin of Biochemical Changes Associated with Replacement of Maize with Whole Cassava Root Meal in the Diet of Hybrid Catfish. Journal of Aquaculture Feed Science and Nutrition, 1: 68-72.