Effect of Dietary Inclusion Levels of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) Leaf Meal on Carcass and Mineral Composition of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Fingerlings

• W. Bosede

  Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, The Federal University of Technology, P. M. B 704, Akure, Nigeria

  Author

• T.M. Oladipupo

  Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, The Federal University of Technology, P. M. B 704, Akure, Nigeria

  Author

The increasing cost of conventional aquafeed ingredients has necessitated the search for sustainable and locally available feed additives capable of improving fish growth and flesh quality. Cucurbita pepo leaves contain beneficial nutrients and bioactive compounds, but information on their effects on African catfish is limited. This study therefore evaluated the effects of graded dietary inclusion levels of C. pepo leaf meal on the carcass quality and mineral profile of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. Five isonitrogenous diets (40 % crude protein) were formulated with varying inclusion levels of pumpkin leaf meal (0.00, 0.50, 1.00, 1.50, and 2.00 g/ 100 g diet). A total of 225 fingerlings (initial weight: 5.02 ± 0.01 g) were randomly distributed into five treatments with three replicates each and fed for 56 days. Results indicated that inclusion of C. pepo leaf meal improved body protein content and influenced carcass composition significantly (P < 0.05). Fish fed supplemented diets showed enhanced protein deposition and reduced moisture content compared to the control. Mineral analysis revealed significant increases in calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus at moderate inclusion levels, while sodium and potassium remained unaffected. Water quality parameters remained within acceptable ranges throughout the experiment. The study concludes that dietary inclusion of C. pepo leaf meal up to 1.50g/ 100g can improve carcass quality and mineral composition of C. gariepinus fingerlings without adverse effects, making it a promising functional feed additive in aquaculture.

1. W. Bosede, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, The Federal University of Technology, P. M. B 704, Akure, Nigeria

   Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, The Federal University of Technology, P. M. B 704, Akure, Nigeria

2. T.M. Oladipupo, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, The Federal University of Technology, P. M. B 704, Akure, Nigeria

   Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology, The Federal University of Technology, P. M. B 704, Akure, Nigeria

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