Vol. 12, Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
Sushil Matoria, Dr. Ojha ML, Dr. Sharma BK, Dr. Sharma SK and Umesh Kumar

Abstract:
This experimental study was performed to evaluate the beneficial effect of papaya leaf meal (PLM) on proximate composition and digestibility of Nile tilapia, (Oreochromis niloticus) Fingerlings. Dietary supplementation of PML at an inclusion rate of 0% (T₀), 2% (T₁), 4% (T₂), 6% (T₃) and 6% (T₄) were fed to the fish @ 3% body weight. The experimental study duration was conducted for 60 days. Significantly (p<0.05) highest digestibility level 74.356±0.1757 and crude protein (15.840±0.0321) T₄ were observed at the 8% (T₄) inclusion level of PML in the fish diet. While the lowest digestibility was 66.141±0.4105 was recorded in 0% (T₀) group, which indicated the better digestion of experimental diet as compared to the control diet. The proximate composition of the experimental diet was significantly different (p<0.05). The highest level of crude protein (20.710±0.0536) was reported in 6% (T₃) while lowest (20.440±0.0523) was found in 2% (T₁). The maximum percent of fat (lipid) (8.190±0.0351) was reported in 2% (T₁) and lowest (8.120±0.0251) was reported in 0% (T₀). The highest percentage of carbohydrate (53.570±0.0896) was observed in 6% (T₃) whereas lowest percentage of carbohydrate (53.320±0.1322) was observed in 0% (T₀). The highest level of ash in experimental diet (8.750±0.0611) was noticed in 0% (T₀) and lowest ash (8.410±0.0529) was noticed in 6% (T₃). The highest moisture (9.470±0.0378) in 8% (T₄) and was lowest moisture (9.140±0.0346) in 6% (T₃). The proximate composition of fish carcass has shown a significant difference (p<0.05) among all the treatments. These results demonstrated that, PLM at the rate of 8% in the diets of fish showed a beneficial effect on proximate composition and digestibility of Nile tilapia and this level of PLM can be used in the diet of fishes.