Effects of the Use of Plant-Based Food Additives on Growth, Body Composition, and Survival of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1758)

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of plant-based food additives on growth performance, body composition and survival of Nile tilapia. Four isonitrogenous (25% CP) and isolipidic (13% CL) experimental diets were prepared and designated as R1, R2, R3, and R4. R1 contains (3% Cymbopogon citratus), R2 contains (3% Ocimum basilicum), R3 contains (3% Mentha spicata) and R4 (control or 0% additive). 180 Nile tilapia fry with an initial average weight of 0.2g were distributed in 12 plastic tanks (50 L/tank) at the stocking density of 15 fish per tank in an isolated system. Fish were fed with experimental diets 3 times per day (8:00 am, 1:00 pm and 5 :00 pm) for 3 months. After 90 days of experiment, the results revealed that the final average weight ranged from 2.62g to 8.00g, the absolute average weight gain (AAWG) from 2.42 to 7.8g, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) from 1.31 to 2.67 and specific growth rate (SGR) from 3.06 to 4.36%/d. The survival rate (SR) varied between 64 and 100%. Of the parameters studied such as the absolute average weight gain (AAWG), the specific growth rate (SGR), the feed conversion ratio (FCR), and the survival rate, the best were obtained by the group of fish fed with the R2 diet containing 3% Ocimum basilicum. The results of the analysis of the flesh showed that the addition of 3% O. basilicum does not modify the contents of dry matter, crude protein, and ash but slightly increased the fat content. Based on the results, the inclusion of natural plant-based food additive (3% Ocimum basilicum) in the diet of Nile tilapia improved the parameters of growth, feed efficiency, and survival.