Effect of the replacement levels of soya bean meal by water Hyacinth flour (Eichhornia Crassipes) as a source of protein on the survival and some zootechnical performances of Clarias Gariepinus fry in concrete tanks

In order to contribute to the increase of table fish production in the world in general and particularly in Cameroon through an optimal valorization of local by-products, the zootechnical performance of Clarias gariepinus fry was evaluated in concrete tanks according to the replacement levels of soya bean meal by water hyacinth flour (Eichhornia crassipes). For this purpose, a trial was conducted at the Logbaba Intensive Aquaculture Pilot Unit (LN: 4°02’ and 4°34’; LE: 9°41’ and 9°18’). A total of 240 Clarias gariepinus fry of initial mean weight 5 ± 0.22 g were divided into 12 batches of 20 fry each into 0.5 m³ baits in concrete tanks in a completely randomized device. These fries were fed for 56 days. The feed rations consisted of 4 iso-protein feeds with 47% protein. Either T₀₊ (positive proof) an imported food (Coppens), T_0- (Negative proof) local food without soya bean meal and two other experimental foods whose soya bean meal has been replaced at 5% (T₅) and 10% (T₁₀) by Eichhornia crassipes flour. The results obtained showed that the highest survival rate (98.33% ± 2.88%) was recorded with the imported feed T₀₊ and lower (93.33% ± 2.76%) with the food containing 5% water hyacinth powder. The final mean weight and daily weight gain were significantly (P < 0.05) higher (26.08 ± 1.25 g and 1.49 ± 0.08 g/d respectively) with the T₀₊ diet and lower with the T₁ local food (11, 92 ± 0, 90; 48 ± 0,06 g/d respectively). The average daily gain was comparable between the T₅ and T₁₀ diets (0.67 ± 0.14 g/d; 0.93 ± 0.12 g/d respectively). The specific growth rate (P < 0.05) and consumption index (P < 0.05) were significantly higher (2.87 % ± 0.08% g/d and 0.34 ± 0.04 respectively) compared to treatments containing 5% (T₅) and 10% (T₁₀) of water hyacinth powder (1.83 ± 0.24 g/d; 2.24 ± 0.17% g/d) and 1.08 ± 0.31; 0.66 ± 0.14) respectively. Thus, water hyacinth flour can be used to replace the soya bean meal as a protein source in the diet of Clarias gariepinus fry for optimal growth.

Introduction

World fisheries and aquaculture contribute decisively to the well-being and prosperity of inhabitants of the world [1]. However, high fishing activity and climate change, which are influencing the availability of biodiversity in the face of an ever-increasing demand for fishery products, suggest that aquaculture is the only alternative to meet the demand for animal proteins. Global aquaculture production reached a new record in 2018, with 114.5 million tons in live weight equivalent [2]. Despite efforts to improve aquaculture production, it remains very insufficient annually. To remedy this, it is imperative to promote the use of balanced diets based on non-conventional food resources that do not compete directly with human food [3,4]. Clarias gariepinus is a high-value-added fish in many African countries. In Africa, the high price of industrial feed formulated for fish is one of the main obstacles to the development of the aquaculture sector [5]. Therefore, reducing feed burdens and consequently reducing the total cost of production is one of aquaculture’s priorities. Concerted efforts have therefore been made to seek appropriate alternatives with regard to feed ingredients. This work has aimed to reduce production costs by minimizing the use of conventional feed ingredients such as fishmeal and soya bean meal, or even by replacing them altogether with other feeds. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is considered in several tropical and semi-tropical countries to be a harmful plant, as it disrupts river transport, irrigation, and aquatic ecosystems [6]. Looking at its biochemical composition, it is noticed that it contains nutrients of interest for the diet of fish. Indeed, it has all the vitamins and amino acids required for their growth [7]. In addition, water hyacinth contains on a dry basis between 12% and 35% protein [8] and contains a very low or almost non-existent level of anti-physiological factors (tannins) [8]. In 2020 water hyacinth has being used as a feed for Rohita labeo [9]. Similarly, many works have been done on the use of water hyacinth as food for Ciprinus Carpio [10,11]. Given the abundance of this plant and its nutritional interest, it seemed appropriate to look for a process to use this macrophyte for the production of animal proteins. It is in this light that we felt it was necessary to reduce the proportion of soya bean meal by substituting it in feed with water hyacinth flour in different proportions and to test the effectiveness of the formulas on the survival rate and some of the growth performance of Clarias gariepinus fry in pre-magnification.

Geographical location and duration of the trial

The Logbaba Intensive Aquaculture Pilot Unit (UPAIL), in Douala 3 Sub Division is located in the Wouri Division of the Littoral Region of Cameroon, between 4°02’ and 4°34’ North Latitude and 9°41’ and 9°18 East Longitude. The Douala 3 Sub Division is about an area of 115 km2 and at an altitude between 0 m and 60 m. The objective was to assess the effect of the level of replacement of soya bean meal by water hyacinth flour (Eichhornia crassipes) on the survival and growth of Clarias gariepinus fry in happa concrete tanks. This work lasted eight weeks between May and June 2021.

Experimental rations

For this purpose, four types of protein foods have been used, namely: T₀₊ (Coppens), T_0- (local feed without water hyacinth) and two compounded feeds with two levels of substitution of soya bean meal by water hyacinth flour T_0.05 (5% hyacinth flour) and T_0.1 (10% hyacinth flour). Three feeds have been formulated using the numerical method with a target of 47% crude protein. One kilogram of each type of feed was made. The actual manufacture consisted of mixing the raw materials previously crushed in a basin with the addition of 1/3 of boiled water for 5 minutes. The resulting paste was transformed into granules using a granular with a diameter of 2 mm and dried in the sunshine for four days to prevent any further development of fungi Table 1.

Feeding

The feed was distributed to the fry twice a day: in the morning at 6:30 a.m., and in the evening at 6 p.m. and the rationing rate was 6.5% of their body weight for the first three weeks and 5% until the end of the experiment.

Physico-chemical parameters of water

The temperature and pH were recorded daily, before and after feeding the fish using a multi-parameter brand HANNA Hi 98135.

Experimental device and biological materials

In a concrete tank of 30 m³, a total of 240 fries from MOHAMED CENTER of medium 5.22 g ± 0.1 g was acclimatized before loading, at the rate of 20 fries per batch of four treatments in 0.5 m³ mesh baits arranged in triplicates.

Fifty kilograms of fresh weight of water hyacinth were taken from the fishing port of Douala. Its leaves were spread on a tarpaulin and were subjected to the thermal pressure of the sun in a greenhouse for two weeks until they became dry, they were crushed. Drying eliminated the water and possible thermolabile toxic factors present in the leaves.

Control fisheries

Control fishing was conducted every 14 days. Before each control fishery, the fry was left on an empty stomach the day before, in each batch of the different treatments, the sampling of fish was done at random in order to determine the measurements using a ruler graduated to the millimeter and the weight of each individual using a precision balance of one gram of sensitivity brand SF-400. The total number of fish was determined to estimate their survival rate. After the check, the fish were returned to the previously cleaned baits and the total biomass was calculated in order to adjust the daily rations.

Parameters studied

The data collected made it possible to calculate the following parameters:

- Survival rate (SR): It results in the following formula:

SR (%) = (Nf / Ni) x 100 where Ni: Initial number and Nf: Final number

- Average weight (AW)

AW= TW/n; TW = Total weight, n = number of individuals harvested

- Daily Weight Gain (DWG): It is evaluated as follows:

DWG (g) = (FMW–IMW) /t; where FMW=Final Mean Weight, IMW= Initial Mean Weight and t= Duration of study (days)

-Specific growth rate (SGR): It has been calculated as follows:

SGR (% g/d) = [ln (FMW) – ln (IMW)] x 100/t

-Consumption index (CI): It was calculated as follows:

CI = Amount of feed distributed/Body mass gain

Statistical analysis

The parameters studied were subjected to a one-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA 1). In case of significant differences, the means were separated by the Duncan test at a 5% significance level using the Statistical Package of Social Science version 20.0 (SPSS) software. The figures were plotted using a Microsoft Excel 2019 spreadsheet.

Results and discussion

Variation of some physico-chemical parameters of water.

A number of water quality parameters such as water temperature and pH were measured every 15 days during the study period.

Temperature variation

Temperature is one of the most important factors in water quality that influences the growth, food intake, reproduction, and other biological activities of aquatic organisms. During the study period and regardless of the study period, temperatures vary between 28 °C and 30 °C. The highest temperatures (29.53 °C ± 0.01 °C) were recorded at 42 days of age and the lowest (28 °C ± 0.09 °C) was recorded at the start of the test. No significant difference (p < 0.05) was found between treatments for mean water temperature values. These results are inferior to 27.95 °C - 31.05 °C in a carp polyculture pond [12]. In the contrast, it is comprised of between 26 °C and 32.44 °C on Labeo rohita in the pond [9-13] Figure 1.

Figure 1: Temperature variation at different study periods.

pH variation

Figure 2 shows that the pH of the water ranged from 4.9 - 7.1. The highest pH was recorded at 56 days of age and the lowest significance (p < 0.05) was observed at 42 days. These observed values are less than 7.43 - 8.05 in a tilapia pond [10]. Nonetheless, it was comparable to 5.66 - 7.44 in the basin water [13]. In the same way not too lower than 7.10-7.43 was recorded in ponds [9]. This variation in pH could be explained by the differences in rearing environments.

Figure 2: Change in pH as a function of the study period.

Growth performance

Table 2 shows that whatever the period of study with the exception of the survival rate, the average weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, and consumption index were significantly affected by the incorporation of water hyacinth flour into the feed.

Survival rate

Table 2 shows that, regardless of the study period, the analysis of variance found no significant difference (p = 0.532) between treatments. However, the highest survival rate (98,38% ± 2.88%) was recorded with fry fed with Coppens feed (T₀₊) and the lowest rate (93.33 ± 5.76) with fry fed with T_0.05 where soya bean meal was substituted at 5% by water hyacinth flour.

Average weight

The average weight varied significantly over the entire study period. However, the average weight of fry fed with copper (T₀₊) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher (26.08 g ± 1.25 g) compared to that of fry in T_0-, T_0.05 and T_0.1 treatments where soya bean meal was substituted at 0%, 5% and 10% by water hyacinth flour.

In addition, fry fed with T_0.1 (10% water hyacinth flour) feed recorded a significantly higher average weight (p < 0.05) (18.36 ± 1.76g) compared to rations T_0- and T_0.05 containing 0 and 5% water hyacinth. The lowest value (11.92 ± 0.90) was recorded significantly with the T_0- hyacinth flour-free treatment. From Figure 3 we can observe that the incorporation of water hyacinth flour at increasing rates in the diets of Clarias gariepinus fry leads to a decrease in the weight of fish.

Figure 3: Regression of live weight as a function of incorporation rates of water hyacinth in the feed of Clarias gariepinus fry.

These results are contrary to studies conducted on Rohita labeo fry with an average weight of 4.0 g ± 0.14 g [9], common carp fry with an average weight of 1.64 g [14] and carp fry with 1.618 g ± 0.138 g [15]. These results were lower than 31.22 - 40.18 with the incorporation of up to 40% of water hyacinth flour [16].

The average daily gain

The average daily gain of fry fed with coppen feed (T₀₊) was significantly higher (p = 0.000) (1.49 ± 0.08 g/d) over the entire study period compared to that of fry in the T_0-, T0,05, and T₁₀ treatments where soya bean meal was substituted at 0%, 5% and 10% by water hyacinth flour. In addition, fry fed with T₁₀ feed (10% water hyacinth flour) recorded a significantly higher average daily gain (p = 0.000) (0.93 ± 0.12 g/d) compared to T_0- and T_0.05 rations containing 0% and 5% water hyacinth. The lowest value (0.48 ± 0.06 g/d) was recorded significantly with T_0- treatment.

These results are similar to the incorporation levels of 0% to 15% of water hyacinth flour in common carp fry [11]. No difference was found in the groups of fish fed with 0% and 20% incorporation into the diets of Roho labeo fry with an increasing level of raw water hyacinth leaf flour [9-14].

Specific growth rate

Over the entire period of the study, the specific growth rate was significantly higher (p < 0.05) (2.87% ± 0.08% g/d) with T₀₊ treatments (coppen feed) followed by T_0.1 (10% water hyacinth) compared to the other two T_0- (0% water hyacinth) and T_0.05 (5% water hyacinth) which were also comparable. These results are different from those recorded with 0 to 30% water hyacinth flour incorporated in red tilapia and catfish (Clarias gariepinus) [17]. These results could be explained by the difference in species and the breeding environment.

Consumption index

The consumption index was significantly higher (p < 0.05) (1.23 ± 0.31) with T_0- treatments (0% water hyacinth) followed by T_0.05 (5% water hyacinth) compared to the other two T₀₊ (Coppens food) and T_0.1 (10% water hyacinth) which were also comparable. Figure 4 shows that the incorporation of water hyacinth flour into the local feed of Clarias gariepinus fry leads to a sharp decrease in the consumption index with a regression coefficient close to 1 (R = 0.823). A growth rate from 0.84% - 0.54% g/d using 0% up to 40% water hyacinth in catfish feed (Clarias gariepinus) respectively was found [18]. In grass carp, the specific growth rate was 0.735 ± 0.022 when fed with a 15% water hyacinth diet [15]. Moreover, this specific growth rate was comparable with 0.95 - 1.1 with incorporation rates ranging from 0% to 15% of water hyacinth [9].

Figure 4: Regression of the consumption index as a function of treatments on Clarias gariepinus fry.

Conclusion

The incorporation of water hyacinth flour into fish feed as a feed ingredient can be used not only to reduce the cost of the fish feed but also to maintain its nutritious value. This study demonstrated that the feed with 10% water hyacinth flour generated the highest values of zootechnical characteristics. In addition, these test feeds have varying consumption indexes, although statistically not different; when these are lower than that of the commercial industrial feed on the market. The feeds developed in this study have the advantage of being locally available, relatively less expensive, and accessible to fish farmers, unlike commercial industrial feed. Utilization of locally available feed ingredients such as water hyacinth would reduce the cost of compounded feeds and feed preparation can be done on a small scale leading to job creation in the field.

Contributions of authors

The incorporation of water hyacinth flour into fish feed as a feed ingredient can be used not only to reduce the cost of the fish feed but also to maintain its nutritious value. This study demonstrated that the feed with 10% water hyacinth flour generated the highest values of zootechnical characteristics. In addition, these test feeds have varying consumption indexes, although statistically not different; when these are lower than that of the commercial industrial feed on the market. The feeds developed in this study have the advantage of being locally available, relatively less expensive, and accessible to fish farmers, unlike commercial industrial feed. Utilization of locally available feed ingredients such as water hyacinth would reduce the cost of compounded feeds and feed preparation can be done on a small scale leading to job creation in the field.

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