Growth and Stress Resistance of Advanced Sized Nile Tilapia Fed Diets Containing Fuel-Based DDGS and Yeast

Abstract

A feeding trial investigated the use of a diet comprised of yeast and distillers' dried grain with solubles (DDGS) to improve growth, feed utilization, and stress resistance of tilapia. Six diets were formulated (as-fed basis) with 8% menhaden fishmeal and 20%, 25%, or 30% DDGS with or without 0.125% yeast probiotic. Aquaria (110 L) were stocked with eight Nile tilapia (mean weight = 43.6 ± 1.3 g) with four replicate aquaria per diet. Weight gains, food conversion ratios (FCR), protein efficiency ratios (PER), blood cortisol levels, and survival rates did not significantly differ (P ≥ 0.1) among or between fish fed differing diets. Overall, results indicated that the inclusion of low-level yeast probiotics did not increase the utilization of DDGS nor did it improve the growth or acute stress resistance (i.e., short-term stressor) of juvenile Nile tilapia.

Keywords:

• Nile tilapia
• Oreochromis niloticus
• DDGS
• yeast
• probiotic
• stress resistance

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Agricultural Experiment Station, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota; the North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service, Brookings, South Dakota; the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, and the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, for financial support and use of equipment and facilities. The authors also thankfully acknowledge Sharon Nichols, Jenna Carsrud, and Christine Keierleber for their help during the extrusion and property analysis of the experimental feeds, and Michael Barnes for his assistance and guidance with this manuscript. This study was performed in compliance with the South Dakota State University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (#07-E016).

Notes

Mention of trade name, propriety product, or specific equipment does not constitute a guarantee or warranty by the United States Department of Agriculture and does not imply approval of a product to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.