Apparent digestibility coefficients of energy and nutrients of some ingredients for Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.) (Thai strain)

Abstract

Digestible energy and apparent digestibility coefficients of nutrients were determined for some ingredients fed to the Nile tilapia (25.4 ± 3.88 g). Fish were fed on pelletized diet to apparent satiation and the digestibility value of each ingredient was determined by comparison of digestibility of a reference diet (33% crude protein and 0.1% chromic oxide). Digestible energy values were 3607.47; 2701.24; 3114.54 and 4008.95 kcal/kg for corn, wheat meal, soybean meal and fish meal, respectively. The apparent digestibility coefficients were 87.12; 78.21; 92.72 and 84.95% for protein, 94.4; 87.12; 78.21; 92.72; and 84.95% for ether extract, 87.27; 79.5; 76.15; 85.04 and 90.62% for calcium and 61.15; 45.08; 29.51; 47.14 and 49.78% for phosphorus, corn, wheat meal, soybean meal and fish meal, respectively. Results indicated that foodstuffs rich in carbohydrates are effectively utilized by the Nile tilapia