Potential of ashitaba (Angelica keiskei Koidzumi) leaves as a feed additive on the diet of Nile tilapia fry (Oreochromis niloticus L.)

Abstract

The interest of using natural materials such as medicinal plants has increased its acceptability as feed additives to fish for the attainment of efficient feed utilization. Ashitaba (Angelica keiskei) is considered as medicinal plants that contains high nutritive value and diverse bioactive components. Due to the increasing costs and short supply of fish-based feed ingredients efforts have been directed to search for an alternative. The study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of Ashitaba leaves as feed additive on the diet of Nile tilapia. Four experimental diets were prepared, composed of different levels of Ashitaba such as 0% (commercial feeds), 5%, 10% and 15%. Results of the study showed that the control group attained comparable growth and survival with that of fish whose feeds were incorporated with Ashitaba leaves. The study concluded that addition of up to 10% Ashitaba leaves could be used for the culture of Nile tilapia without negative effect on its growth and survival. Further, utilization of Ashitaba leaves as feed additive can potentially improve the growth performance and survival rate of Nile tilapia fry.