Growth Performance of Oreochromis niloticus fed Different Inclusion Levels of Fermented Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) Seed Meal Diets

Abstract

This study evaluated the suitability of fermented Roselle Hibiscus sabdariffa seed meal as a partial replacement for soybean meal in the diets of tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Roselle seeds were subjected to different processing methods: boiling, fermentation, sprouting and toasting. The results for the proximate composition of Raw and Processed Roselle seeds indicated that the crude protein level was higher in Fermented Roselle (24.97 %), followed by Toasted (24.85 %), Boiled (24.75 %), Raw (24.54 %) and lowest was found in Sprouted (23.25 %). All these values were significantly different (p<0.05). Fermented meal was incorporated into four iso-nitrogenous diets at 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% and 0% control to replace soybean meal. A total of 150 Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings were randomly distributed into experimental units (10 fingerlings per bowl and replicated) and fed for 84days. The result recorded for the growth performance were significantly different (p<0.05). O. niloticus fed 25% inclusion level of fermented roselle seed meal had the highest mean weight gain of 17.16g, followed by the fish fed 100% (15.79g); 75% (8.82g), 0% control treatment (7.46g) and lowest values recorded was from the fish fed 50% inclusion level (5.99g). In conclusion Fermentation method employed in this study had significant effects on the Growth performance of O. niloticus.