T.M, OLADIPUPO EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT DIETARY INCLUSION LEVELS OF Adansonia digitata LEAF MEAL ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE, HEMATOLOGICAL PROFILE, AND CARCASS COMPOSITION OF Oreochromis niloticus FINGERLINGS

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of Adansonia digitata leaf meal on the
growth, hematological parameters, and carcass composition of Oreochromis niloticus for 56 days. Five
isonitrogenous diets, each containing (35  % crude protein), were prepared using standard feed formulation
techniques with varying levels of A. digitata leaf meal labelled as AD1 (0.0 g/kg. Control), AD2 (0.5 g/kg), AD3
(1.0 g/kg), AD4 (1.5 g/kg), and AD5 (2.0 g/kg). A total of 225 O. niloticus fingerlings (6.56 ± 0.16g) were
randomly stocked into 15 glass tanks (70litre) each measuring (70cmx45cmx45cm) at the rate of 15 fish per tank
representing five treatments and three replicates. Results indicated significant differences (P < 0.05) in all growth
performance parameters. The highest mean weight gain was 5.54 g in fish fed AD3 (1.0 g/kg), while the lowest
was 3.61 g in AD5 (2.0 g/kg). Haematological analysis showed significant (p<0.05) health improvements with
increasing A. digitata inclusion: packed cell volume (PCV) increased from 26.50% (AD1) to 32.00% (AD5), red
blood cell (RBC) count rose from 2.90  ±  0.17×10³/mm³ to 3.66×10³/mm³, and white blood cell (WBC) count
peaked at 7.50 ×10³/mm³ in AD5. Haemoglobin (Hb) levels showed no significant difference but trended upward.
Proximate analysis revealed protein content increased from 50.12 ± 0.58% (AD1) to 58.50% (AD5), lipid content
decreased from 16.33% (AD1) to 11.70% (AD5), and ash content declined from 18.77% to 15.63%. Moisture and
nitrogen-free extract (NFE) values remained unchanged. Based on the results, it was concluded that A. digitata
leaf meal can be safely included in the diet of O. niloticus at levels up to 1.0 g/kg without negatively affecting
growth, health, and nutritional quality in O. niloticus culture.