Impact of Partial Substitution of Soybean Meal by Cottonseed Meal with Iron Sulfate Supplementation in Nile Tilapia Diet

Abstract

Aquatic meals participate in food security and nutrition. The economic dimension greatly influences the sustainability of the aquaculture industry. This study aimed to assess the effects of partial substitution of soybean meal (SBM) with cottonseed meal (CSM) supplemented with ferrous sulfate (FS) on the growth performance and health status of Nile tilapia. One hundred and fifty Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were split equally into five group (triplicated). Each group was fed one of the following isonitrogenous isolipid diet; diet1 (0% CSM), diet2 (20% CSM), Diets3 (20% CSM with 580 mg/kg (FS), diet4 (50% CSM), and diet5 (50% CSM with 580 mg/kg FS) of total protein for two months. In comparison to the control group, Statistically significant (p<0.05) improvements in growth performance, hemogram, and leukogram, as well as, the levels of ALT, AST, urea, creatinine, total protein, MDA, and GSH-px were observed in the third treatment . Histopathologically, it showed the highest values of villus height, width, and surface absorption area with normal architecture and cellular details. On the other hand, fish fed diet4 had the lowest growth rat with microcytic normochromic anemia and decreased villus height and width. The groups that fed CSM showed lower cholesterol levels. In conclusion, CSM inclusion with FS supplementation enhanced growth and health parameters.