Partial replacement of corn by pasta waste in diets for Nile tilapia

Abstract

A 50 days experiment was performed to evaluate the partial replacement of corn by pasta waste in Nile tilapia diets. Four isonitrogenous (30% crude protein) and isoenergetic (3,100 kcal kg^-1 digestible energy) diets were formulated with increasing levels of corn replacement (0, 10, 20 and 30%) by pasta waste. Nile tilapia juveniles (11.2 ± 0.06 g) were distributed in 12 experimental cages (55 L) in six circular tanks of 310 L (2 cages per tank) in an indoor, recirculation system under continuous aeration and emergency oxygenation system. Fish were fed to apparent satiation at 8:30 am and 4:30 pm for 50 days, in a totally randomized experimental design (n = 3). Growth performance, protein, energy productive value and body composition of fish were evaluated. There were no significant differences in growth and body composition parameters between fish fed control and pasta residue diets. Replacement of 30% of dietary corn by pasta residue does not damage growth performance, protein and energy productive value and body composition of Nile tilapia juveniles.