Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology

A 8-week feeding trial was carried out to test moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf meal (MOLM) as a replacer for mustard oil cake in feeds for juvenile-Labeo rohita (initial mass 5.27±0.01 g). Solidstate fermentation of MOLM (FMOLM) was performed using Aspergillus niger. Five iso-nitrogenous (31% crude protein) and iso-caloric (350 kcal/100 g) diets were prepared with different levels of MOLM by replacing mustard oil cake (MOC) viz., Control (0% MOLM), MOLM15 (15% MOLM), MOLM30 (30% MOLM), FMOL15 (15% FMOLM) and FMOL30 (30% FMOLM). One hundred and ninety-five acclimated juveniles were distributed into five experimental groups (Tank size 1000 L) in triplicate, and they were fed daily twice up to satiation. The FMOLM15 group showed significantly (P<0.05) higher weight gain, specific growth rate, proteinefficiency ratio and lower feed conversion ratio among different treatments. Protease, amylase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were significantly (P<0.05) higher in FMOLM15 compared to FMOLM15 and FMOLM30 groups. The addition of MOLM enhanced the superoxide dismutase and catalase, however, their activities were found reduced in the fermented MOLM groups. In conclusion, 15% MOLM can be incorporated into the diet of L. rohita without compromising the growth of fish. However, fermented MOLM can be utilised up to 30% level in the diet of L. rohita, ensuring its better growth.