Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) protein concentrate as replacement for fish meal in diets for tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry

This study provides information on the dietary efficiency of protein concentrate from cowpea seed, as an ingredient for practical diets of tilapia fry. Five experimental diets were prepared in which animal protein (fish meal) was replaced by increasing amounts of plant protein, and fed to tilapia during a nine-week period to assess the effect on growth, survival and feed efficiency. The highest growth rate and feed utilization was observed with 20-30% replacement of fish meal with cowpea protein concentrate, while the protein efficiency was best at 40% inclusion level. No mortalities related to the dietary plant protein were recorded. It is concluded that cowpea seed protein concentrate is a potential ingredient for use in feeding tilapia fry, and its use is recommended at the inclusion levels described in this paper. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.