ABSTRACT
The utilization of feed can be affected by the ingredients uesd,
processing methods, management and gut microbiota. The growth and nutrient
utilization could negatively be affected
by deleterious flora like mycotoxins which comes in different forms like
ochratoxin, fumosin, and aflotoxin. Some supplements like bentonite has
chelating effects on deleterious microbiomes communities. Consequently this
research was designed to investigate the effects of bentonite as feed additives
for African catfish C.gariepinus. The
research also investigated the effects on the growth performances, feed
utilization, gut morphology, gut microbial communities and culture water
quality of C. gariepinus. To this effect five types of feed were made to
vary in composition of bentonite supplements as follows; Feed 1, F1, (35g),
Feed F2 (25g), Feed 3 F3(15g),Feed 4,F4( 5g)
Feed 5 F5( 0g).The feeds also contains significantly (P<0.05) similar
quantities of soyabean meal and fish meal. The basal ingredients comprised of
similar quantities of cassava and corn starch blend as binder. Specific
quantities of the ingredients were weighed, mixed, pelleted and dried. The feed
were used in feeding C. gariepinus of
average weight 8-10g stocked at 15 fish per crate for 140days. The results showed that bentonite enhanced
feed conversion ratio (FCR), There is a significant different between the FCR
of F1 (F1 1.63±0.15)
and F5, (F5 2.70±0.11), (P<0.05), weight gain was
highest (F1, 52.22±3.65) and F5 (30.91±0.86). Protein
efficiency ratio was also significant difference between (F1 1.19±0.10) and F5 (0.57±0.02). The gonadal
weight were also significantly higher for catfish fed with F1 (1.49±0.13), followed by those fed
with F5 (0.54±0.14).
The rate of gut evacuation was reduced by high
inclusion of bentonite thus, enhancing proper breakdown and absorption of
nutrients. There was positive correlation between increasing inclusion levels
of bentonite and feed utilization, growth performances and gonadal
developments. Gut microbiota were also improved by bentonite and positively
correlated with increasing of bentonite. The results suggest that bentonite optimal
inclusion level is (34%). These seem to follow the concept that African catfish
is geophargic in nature, bentonite at 34% is recommended for farmers, because
results suggest that bentonite supplement is a beneficial additive in catfish
diet.
BLESSING, A (2022). The Effects Of Bentonite Supplement On The Growth, Nutrient Utilization And Gut Microbiota Of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Dec 09, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/the-effects-of-bentonite-supplement-on-the-growth-nutrient-utilization-and-gut-microbiota-of-african-catfish-clarias-gariepinus-7-2
AKUDO, BLESSING. "The Effects Of Bentonite Supplement On The Growth, Nutrient Utilization And Gut Microbiota Of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)" Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 18 Oct. 2022, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/the-effects-of-bentonite-supplement-on-the-growth-nutrient-utilization-and-gut-microbiota-of-african-catfish-clarias-gariepinus-7-2. Accessed 09 Dec. 2024.
AKUDO, BLESSING. "The Effects Of Bentonite Supplement On The Growth, Nutrient Utilization And Gut Microbiota Of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 18 Oct. 2022. Web. 09 Dec. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/the-effects-of-bentonite-supplement-on-the-growth-nutrient-utilization-and-gut-microbiota-of-african-catfish-clarias-gariepinus-7-2 >.
AKUDO, BLESSING. "The Effects Of Bentonite Supplement On The Growth, Nutrient Utilization And Gut Microbiota Of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)" Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2022). Accessed 09 Dec. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/the-effects-of-bentonite-supplement-on-the-growth-nutrient-utilization-and-gut-microbiota-of-african-catfish-clarias-gariepinus-7-2