Floating and Stability Effect on Fish Feed Pellets Using Different Concentration of Baobab Leaf Meal (Adansonia digitata)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the floating and stability of fish feed pellets formulated with different concentration of Baobab (Adansonia digitata) leaf meal (BLM). Five isonitrogenous fish feed (35% CP) with varying inclusion levels of Baobab leaf meal (0% BLM, 4% BLM, 8% BLM, 12% BLM and 16% BLM designated as D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5 respectively was used. Ten (10) pellets of each experimental feed were placed in plastic beaker (55 x 25 x 30 cm) for 50 minutes. Feed pellet floatability and stability were recorded every five minutes. Results showed that feed pellet floatability increased significantly (P<0.05) with increase in BLM concentration. Highest feed pellet floatability (41.66 ± 2.88 minutes) was recorded in D5 (16% BLM) and least (0.00 ± 0.00 minutes) in D1 (0% BLM) which sank down immediately. Similarly, feed pellet stability increased significantly (P<0.05) with increase in BLM concentration. Highest pellet stability (42.66 ± 1.17 minutes) was recorded for D5 (16% BLM) and least (18.54 ± 2.10 minutes) in D1 (0% BLM). Based on these findings, it is concluded that 16% BLM inclusion level in fish feed has led to a high pellet floatability and stability. Therefore, Baobab leaf meal (BLM) which is relatively cheap, toxic free, easy to process and available specifically in Northern part of Nigeria is recommended for floating feed formulation.