Effect of dietary inclusion levels of Alternanthera brasiliana Leaf Meal on Mineral Composition of Clarias gariepinus Fingerlings
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51459/jostir.2026.2.Special-Issue-1.0286Keywords:
Alternanthera brasiliana leaf, mineral composition, Clarias gariepinusAbstract
This experiment was conducted to evaluate the mineral composition of C. gariepinus fingerlings fed varying inclusion levels of Alternanthera brasiliana for 56 days. Five isonitrogenous diets (40% CP) were formulated to contain different inclusion levels of A. brasiliana at 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g/kg labelled as (AB1-AB5) respectively. AB1 serves as the control without inclusion level of A.brasiliana. Two hundred and twenty-five (225) C. gariepinus fingerlings with mean weight (9.08±0.1g) were randomly selected and distributed into 15 glass tanks (70litre) each measuring ((70cmx45cmx45cm)) at the rate of 15 fish per tank, representing five treatments in triplicate. Results showed that temperature ranged between 27.08-27.15 °C. Dissolved oxygen ranged between 6.63-6.70 mg/L while pH between 7.55-7.60 respectively. Fish fed AB2 had the best growth performance compared to other treatments and control. A reduction in growth as the A. brasiliana increased beyond 0.5g/100g was observed in AB3-AB5 respectively. Fish fed diets containing A. brasiliana exhibited significant improvements in mineral composition, with calcium, iron, sodium, and potassium levels increasing in proportion to dietary inclusion. The findings suggest that A. brasiliana is a promising, cost-effective, and sustainable feed ingredient for aquaculture, offering both nutritional and bioactive benefits that support the mineral retention of C. gariepinus.
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