Feasibility of molasses-fermented banana peel as a protein source in practical diet for hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis spp.): effect on growth and feed efficiency

This study aims to increase the utilization of banana peels, a local agricultural by-product, by improving nutrient value and partially reducing the presence of anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) as an alternative ingredient in fish feed. The feasibility of molasses-fermented banana peels (MFBP) as a protein source in a practical diet for hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) fries was investigated. Five isonitrogenous experimental diets containing 0 (control), 25, 50, 75, and 100% substitution levels of fish meal by MFBP were formulated. Twenty tilapia fries per group with three replicates were fed for eight weeks. The growth performance and feed efficiency values of fish were recorded and evaluated. Fish fed with 0, 25, and 50% MFBP levels showed significantly higher growth parameters, survival rate, and feed utilization efficiency than those fed with 75 and 100% MFBP levels. Although the control diet produced better growth performance and feed utilization efficiency than MFBP-based diets there was no significant difference between fish fed with the control diet and the low MFBP levels (0-50%) diet. Based on the present findings, it could be concluded that the molasses-fermented banana peels (MFBP) could efficiently replace the fishmeal by up to 50% without affecting the growth performance of red tilapia.