Assessment of the Proximate and Mineral Compositions of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extracts, the Carcass and Eggs of African Clariid Catfish, Heterobranchus bidorsalis

Abstract

The need to optimize feed efficiency, feed digestibility and improve metabolism, growth, and reproductive performance of fish has necessitated the use of phytogenic feed additives in aquaculture. A Study was carried out to assess the Proximate and mineral compositions of aqueous and ethanolic Moringa oleifera leave extracts (AMOLE and EMOLE respectively) according to standard procedures. Consequently, these two extracts were used to formulate test diets containing 0.00/100g (control), 1.0g/100g, 2.0g/100g and 3.0g/100g inclusion levels. H. bidorsalis samples (n=216; 800.00+150.00g; 37.50±1.5cm) were randomly distributed in triplicate into 24 concrete tanks of size 6m x 4m x1.3m in a completely randomized 2x4 factorial design and fed at 5% body weight twice daily for 16 weeks. The proximate and mineral compositions of the diets was determined while the carcass and the eggs nutrients compositions were subsequently assessed. The proximate composition of the eggs were significantly higher in crude protein contents than the CP in the MOLE (34.14±0.05), AMOLE (38.84±0.17) and EMOLE (38.44±0.07) diets and the Carcass (37.46±0.28) with range (72.32±0.41 (control) - 78.78±0.58 % (3.0/100g)) while the ash (1.44±0.10 (3g/100g - 2.41±0.10% (control)) and ether (2.88±0.09 (3.0/100g) - 3.25±0.9% (control) ) contents where significantly lower than the highest contents of ash (20.01±0.27%) recorded in fish fed 2.0/100g AMOLE diet and (7.94±0.05%) ether recorded in the control diet. Aqueous extraction method had the highest significant (P<0.05) retention of mineral concentrations: Ca (21.04), P (14.89), Mg (16.40), Na (23.33), K (65.57), Fe (10.67), Cu (6.48) and Zn (5.55) compare to ethanolic extraction method: Ca (2.87), P (12.65), Mg (7.65), Na (19.24), K (13.76), Fe (9.07), Cu (2.40) and Zn (2.32). For the carcass, only Manganese, Iron and Copper compositions were significant (P<0.05) among all treatment groups and the control. These findings have far reaching nutritional importance in the healthcare system and will help to address undernutrition in fish broodstock management in a cost effective manner. Thus, the use of M. oleifera leaves extracts as phytogenic feed additives and nutrients booster should be encouraged and sustained towards sustainable aquaculture development.