Evaluation of date fiber as s feed ingredient for Nile tilapia Oreocromis niloticus fingerlings.

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the use of date fiber (DF) as a feed ingredient for tilapia fingerlings in terms of growth parameters, body composition, anatomical alterations of the intestinal villi. In addition to, pellet strength and bacterial type and population in the test diets. Four isonitrogenous isocaloric diets containing 0, 100, 200 and 300 g kg-1 DF as replacement of wheat bran were fed to triplicate groups of ten O. niloticus fingerlings (0.65 g) in a recirculating water system for 70 days. Fish fed diets contain up to 200 g kg-1 DF had similar growth parameters. Further increase in dietary DF to 300 g kg-1 resulted in significant retardation in all parameters. Body fat was reduced while protein, ash and moisture were increased by DF level. Increasing dietary DF level caused changes in tilapia’s intestinal villi, reduced dietary microbial activity and bacterial population of selected species, and produced stronger pellets.