Effect of Avian Viscera Meal on the Carcas Quality and Histology of Clarias gariepinus Fingerlings
Abstract
Background and objectives: the use of alternative animal protein sources in aquaculture feeds has become a research priority. This research was therefore conducted to investigate the Carcass quality (body composition) of Clarias gariepinus post-fingerlings fed avian viscera and to examine the effect of viscera meal on the histological characteristics of the experimental fish.
Materials and Methods: A total of ninety (90) Post-fingerlings fish of Clarias gariepinus were procured and transported in a 50-litre plastic container from the farm to Fisheries and Aquaculture Departmental farm complex in Ebonyi state University Abakaliki, CAS-campus. The feed (Aller-aqua) was procured from the dealers shop and was used to feed the experimental fish as the control diet. The avian viscera were bought from the popular Chicken market (New layout) at Abakaliki. The experimental design used was Completely Randomize Design (CRD). The experimental fish were randomly assigned to three (3) treatments and three replicates each. The samples (carcass) were analyzed chemically according to the official methods of analysis described by the Association of Official Analytical Chemist. Results were subjected to one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 20) to determine the differences between the various treatments and control. Duncan Multiple Range Test was used to separate the difference among the means and the differences were considered significant at (p<0.05).Growth and food utilization data were collected for twenty four weeks. Values were expressed as means ±SE.
Results: In this study, although the different groups of experimental fish had similar initial mean weight and were fed with fresh, steamed avian viscera and formulated extruded diets, Clarias gariepinus showed significant different (P<0.05) in final weight gain, specific growth rate, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio. Higher substitution of chicken viscera meal resulted in reduced growth performance, feed utilization efficiency and production. The histological results of the photomicrography of liver and heart of Clarias gariepinus post-fingerlings fed fresh avian visceral showed, normal hepatic architecture with central vein (CV) in liver. However there were no inflammation and no fatty change. For the heart, it indicated normal cardiac architecture with the three layers the endocardium (ED), Ectocardium (EC) and Myocardium (MYO). Where the liver of the fish fed steamed avian visceral showed moderate damage on the hepatic tissue with focal aggregate of inflammatory cell (FAIC) and clumping of the hepatocytes (CH). The result of heart offish fed with steamed viscera shows mild effected cardiac tissue with mild distortion of the cardiac muscles (MDCM) at the endocardia region.
Conclusion: the study clearly demonstrated that chicken viscera has a good nutritive value for the growth of African catfish and could be incorporated or used whole to Clarias gariepinus as meal without adverse effects on growth, feed utilization and body protein content. The contribution of this work to the scientific knowledge is to reduce waste from the environment which has been a challenge to poultry farmers from the abattoirs. Therefore, it is recommended, that the use of chicken viscera could substantially reduce feed cost and increase profits.
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Introduction
Fisheries and Aquaculture remain important source of food, nutrition, income and livelihoods for hundreds of millions of people around the world. Fish continues to be one of the most traded food commodities world-wide with more than half offish exports by value originating in developing countries (FAO, 2016). The most important fish species used in fish farming are: Carp, Tilapia, and Catfish (FAO, 2014). China provides 62% of the world’sfarmed fish. As of 2016, more than 50% of seafood was produced by aquaculture (FAO, 2016). Clarias gariepinus (African Catfish) is one of the most important tropical freshwater fish species for aquaculture because of its high fecundity rate, acceptance of a wide range of natural and artificial foods, fast growth, and tolerance to high stocking density and environmental extremes (Dada and Wonah, 2003). Chicken viscera are considered among probable protein sources for enhancing fish if established by researchers. Viscera are the large organs inside the body: such as the heart, lungs, intestine and stomach. Research findings has revealed that certain chicken viscera organs such as heart contain over 80% protein of excellent quality while traditional fishmeal normally contain 60 to 80% high quality protein. Nevertheless, the decrease in supply of stocks and increasing demand for aquaculture as well as degradation of natural fish populations has greatly increased the market price of fishmeal (Kristsanapuntu and Chaitanawisuti, 2015; Naylor et al., 2000; Tacon and Metian, 2008). Moreover, high level of fishmeal in aquatic feeds may cause a series of environmental problems due to the high content of phosphorus.
Therefore, the use of alternative animal protein sources in aquaculture feeds has become a research priority. In that way, some studies have evaluated some plant proteins as alternative sources of fishmeal in carnivorous diets because of their low price, consistent nutrient composition and supply (Amaya et al., 2007). However, findings showed poorer digestibility and adverse effects on growth performance due to their high carbohydrate content and imbalanced amino acid composition (Lunger et al., 2007). Compared to plant-based proteins, chicken viscera is easily available at very low price throughout the year and have high protein value, low carbohydrate content, balanced amino acids profile, total digestible dry matter and lack of anti-nutritional factors (Goda et al., 2007; Bhaska et al., 2014). Hence, chicken viscera are considered a probable substitute for fishmeal in diets for a number offish species (Bhaska et al., 2015 and Gupta et al., 2013). Recycling of poultry wastes into an acceptable source of animal protein in the catfish diet is a big challenge in the pursuit of sustained production. Nowadays, studies concerning the evaluation of poultry viscera meal in the C. gariepinus fingerlings diets are few. Therefore, efforts have long been directed to find alternate protein sources of good quality which are less expensive and readily available as substitutes for fishmeal component in practical diets Shiba et al. (2010). Fishmeal has been replaced by single animal protein sources such as maggot meal (Adewolu, 2001), black soldier fly pupae meal (St-Hilaire et al., 2007), poultry by-product meal (Turker et al., 2005), poultry viscera meal (Usman et al., 2007), and feather meal (Hasan et al., 1997). Most of these single animal protein sources were unable to completely replace fishmeal (Adewolu et al., 2010). The aim of this research was to investigate the Carcass quality (body composition) of Clarias gariepinus post-fingerlings fed avian viscera and to examine the effect of viscera meal on the histological characteristics of the experimental fish
Conclusion
The present study clearly demonstrated that chicken viscera has a good nutritive value for the growth of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). It could be incorporated or used whole to Clarias gariepinus as meal without adverse effects on growth, feed utilization and body protein content. Chicken viscera are available in Abakaliki and can be obtained throughout the year. Therefore, the use of chicken viscera can substantially reduce feed cost and increased profits. This might permit the development of that fish culture in Abakaliki. However, water quality determination is also an important environmental factor that influence significantly on the fish welfare. The liver of the fish fed steamed avian viscera showed moderate damage on the hepatic tissue with focal aggregate of inflammatory cell (FAIC) and clumping of the hepatocytes. The heart offish fed with steamed viscera showed mild affectation on cardiac tissue with mild distortion of the cardiac muscles (MDCM) at the endocardia region. Therefore, based on the result obtained from the experiment, it is hereby recommended that chicken intestine meal can be included in the diet or fed whole to Clarias gariepinus without any adverse effect. The result of histology recommends that famers could use fresh avian viscera for their fish because their organs were not affected. Further studies on the utilization of avian viscera by Clarias gariepinus to achieve optimal growth and maximization of profit are recommended. Extending this research by the use of other fish species is also advised. The contribution of this work to the scientific knowledge is to reduce waste from the environment which has been a challenge to poultry farmers from the abattoirs. Farmers are advised to feed their fish with avian viscera because it is healthy.
