Use of Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) Peels in Low Cost Diets for Enhancement of Growth and Carcass Quality of African Catfish

Abstract

Green and yellow plantain (Musa paradisiaca) peels were used to replace yellow maize (Zea mays) in the diets of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (5.52 ± 0.54 g) initial weight. Five treatments used were: T₁ (control diet containing 100% maize), T₂ (80% maize + 20% green peels), T₃ (70% maize + 30% green peels), T₄ (80% maize + 20% yellow peels), and T₅ (70% maize + 30% yellow peels). After 70 days of feeding, growth performance was statistically the same in all treatments. There was significantly higher carcass protein in fish fed T₂, T₃, and T₄ than fish fed T₁ and T₅ (P > 0.05). Supplementation of the plantain peels in the diets significantly increased mineral (Ca, Mg, Fe) and reduced fat and cholesterol contents of the fish. There were no differences in the white blood cells of fish in all the treatments. Economic estimation revealed that it would be most cost effective to produce the fish by using T₂ (80% maize + 20% green peels). In summary, plantain peels can replace up to 30% of maize in African catfish diets.

KEYWORDS:

• Clarias gariepinus
• alternative feed
• fish welfare
• carcass quality