Utility of vegetable processing wastes in feed for: Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

Abstract- All food processing industries generate wastes of varying nature in significant quantities. Managing these wastes so as to minimise the impact on the environment is a prime concern. The concept of waste has undergone much change in recent times, with the focus being on utilising the waste materials as inputs for generation of new or reusable products. Vegetable wastes are generated in significant quantities and are easily available at minimal charge. The possibility of utilising vegetable waste as a dietary ingredient was assessed employing the striped catfish as the test species. The study was conducted over a period of 90 days. Vegetable waste was incorporated at inclusion levels of 5, 10 and 15 % in formulated diets. The three test diets were designated T1, T2 and T3 respectively. A clam meal based diet devoid of vegetable waste served as the control (C). Feeding was done once daily @ 5% of the body weight. The water quality parameters like dissolved oxygen, water temperature pH, total alkalinity, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate as well as growth response were monitored at fortnightly intervals. The quality of water was maintained by periodic partial replenishment over the period of study. On termination of the trial, better growth response was recorded in the T1 treatment containing 5% level of vegetable waste. Utilisation efficiency was also found to be superior in the T1 diet as evidenced by the best food conversion ratio of 1.81. Fish fed with T3 diet recorded the lowest feed conversion ratio of 2.35. Specific growth rate showed (SGR) better performance of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus fingerling fed on control diet. Survival rate of the striped catfish was unaffected by vegetable waste meal supplementation. Organoleptic quality of fish was not affected adversely by vegetable waste incorporation in the diet. The results suggest the possibility of utilising vegetable waste meal in diets for the striped catfish at low levels of incorporation. Further studies on the use of ensiled vegetable waste in diets for the striped catfish are warranted.