Influence of Fermented Maize-meal Infusion on Feed Efficiency, Growth Performance and Antioxidants Status of African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus Fingerlings

Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of fermented maize-meal infusion on feed quality, growth performance and immune status of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus fingerlings.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Nigeria, between March 2017 and July 2017.

Methodology: A total of 120 African catfish, Clarias gariepinus fingerlings (mean initial weight 7.43±0.24 grams) were randomly distributed into 2 groups of 3 replicates each. Each replicate contained 20 fish. Fermented feed (FF) produced using fermented maize-meal (ogi) infusion for 72 h was fed 5% body weight to a group of 60 fish (in 3 replicates) for 10 weeks, compared to fish fed control pellet containing similar ingredients but was non-fermented (NF). Proximate composition of feeds and whole fish, feed efficiency and growth performance, biochemical and antioxidant parameters in African catfish, Clarias gariepinus were evaluated.

Results: The results of proximate composition of FF and NF diets were not significantly (P>0.05) different in crude protein, crude fibre, carbohydrate and moisture contents. However, fat (lipid) was significantly lower in FF diet, while the level of ash was significantly (P<0.05) higher in FF than in the NF control. Proximate composition of whole fish fed NF and FF diets are significantly similar for crude protein, crude fibre, fat and carbohydrate contents. However, ash and moisture contents were significantly higher in fish fed NF than FF. The results for feed efficiency and growth performance of African catfish fed experimental diets indicated similar feed acceptance and intake and consequently similar growth performance. The hematological indices; packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC) and haemoglobin (Hb) were observed to be significantly higher in fish fed the FF diet. The activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was significantly elevated in serum of fish administered the non-fermented diet while alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) indicated elevated activities in fish fed fermented diet. The chloride and potassium ions and cholesterol indicated significantly higher concentration in the serum of fish fed fermented diet. Conversely, the inorganic phosphate, calcium, total protein and triglycerides were significantly higher in the serum of fish fed the non-fermented diet. Contrastingly, the concentration of sodium ion and creatinine did not differ significantly between the fish fed the experimental diets. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were significantly elevated in the serum of fish fed FF diet.

Conclusion: Fermented diet with probiotics from maize-meal infusion improved biochemical and antioxidant parameters of Clarias gariepinus without impairing fish performance.