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Utilisation of cocoa pod husk as a feed ingredient for Labeo rohita (Hamilton) fingerlings
(College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2007) Navya, R; KAU; Shyama, S
A 70 day study was undertaken to evaluate the use of cocoa-pod husk meal as a dietary ingredient for rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton) fingerlings. Six iso-nitrogenous diets (30% crude protein) were formulated. The five test diets had cocoa pod husk meal incorporated at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% inclusion levels. A fish meal-based diet devoid of cocoa pod husk meal served as the control. Feeding was done at 5% once daily. The test diets were acceptable to the fish and gave positive feed consumption and growth. Optimum performance in terms of weight gain was achieved by fish fed a diet with 20% inclusion level of cocoa pod husk meal. However, FCE, fish weight gain and SGR showed a decline in fish fed the test diet, particularly so in the 25% cocoa pod husk meal diet. The reduced fish growth was caused by the high fibre content of cocoa husk which resulted in low protein digestibilities during the study. No direct toxic effect of theobromine and other purine alkaloids in cocoa products were reflected in the study, cocoa pod husk can thus be safely recommended as a feed ingredient in supplementary diets for Labeo rohita, up to an inclusion level of 20%.