Water stability of Aqua pellets using binders from selected root and tuber crops.

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the water stability of aquafeed pellet using starch from yam (Dioscorea rutundata), sweet potatoes (Ipomea batatas), cassava (Manihot esculenta) and cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) as binders. The starches obtained from these roots and tubers in addition with other feed ingredients were used to formulate four (4) isonitrogenous diet at 25% crude protein. The root and tuber starches were incorporated into the diet at 10% and 20% inclusion level. Results obtained showed that at 10 % inclusion level of binders, the leached weight of feed was significantly higher (p<0.05) in DT3 (8.41 ± 0.59 g) containing sweet potato starch with percentage stability of 42.83 ± 0.12 % and least (2.34 ± 1.34 g) in DT2 (cocoyam starch) with percentage stability of 68.25 ± 0.51 %. At 20 % inclusion level, leached weight of feed was significantly higher (p<0.05) higher in DT4 (3.71 ± 0.46 g) containing yam starch with percentage stability of 63.16 ± 0.01 % and least (1.22 ± 0.15 g) in DT2 (sweet potato starch) with percentage stability of 88.88 ± 0.10 %. Findings of this study revealed that starch obtained from natural root and tuber crops have good binding ability in aquafeed which enhances water stability. Also, water stability of aquafeed pellets can be significantly improved by proper selection of feed ingredients, techniques and equipment used in processing and binder incorporation at the correct inclusion level. Therefore, optimal water stability could be achieved by incorporating sweet potato and cassava starch as binders in aquafeed at 10 % inclusion level.