Fermented mulberry leaf meal as fishmeal replacer in the formulation of feed for carp Labeo rohita and catfish Heteropneustes fossilis-optimization by mathematical programming.
Search for cost-effective, eco-friendly and sustainable plant resources as potential feedstuff to replace fishmeal in the formulation of feed for fish has been in the forefront of aquaculture researches since the last few years. In this study, experiments were conducted to evaluate if replacement of fishmeal by the fermented leaf meal of mulberry (Morus indica) was viable in the formulation of feed for carp fish Labeo rohita and catfish Heteropneustes fossilis. Four iso-proteinous, iso-lipidic and iso-energetic experimental feed were formulated by replacing 0, 25, 50 and 75% of fishmeal by the fermented mulberry leaf meal (FMLM), and both species were grown on these feeds for 8 weeks. Since the results revealed differences in response to fishmeal replacement level between parameters, we determined optimum fishmeal replacement level (OFRL) for each parameter from the polynomial curve equation. While maximum weight gain and specific growth rate and minimum feed conversion ratio was found at 30-32% OFRL for L. rohita and at 52-53% OFRL for H. fossilis, other parameters responded differently in both fish. Therefore, we applied a two-phase fuzzy goal programming technique using all parameters, which showed overall OFRL for L. rohita and H. fossilis as 30.95% and 52%, respectively. We also applied the concept of 'decision tree' to identify the key factor behind utilization of FMLM. It was concluded that activity of amylase and subsequent utilization of carbohydrate was the key factor in utilizing FMLM. Interestingly, H. fossilis was found more efficient in utilizing carbohydrate of FMLM than L. rohita.
['Ali|Saheli|S|', 'Saha|Subrata|S|', 'Kaviraj|Anilava|A|http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4843-8450']
D000821:Animal Feed D000818:Animals D002347:Carps D002397:Catfishes D004032:Diet D005285:Fermentation D031625:Morus D018515:Plant Leaves D015430:Weight Gain
Mulberry Fishmeal Feedstuff Fish Fuzzy goal programming Decision tree