Mesquite bean (Prosopis juliflora) meal in diets of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Nutritional value, growth, physiological responses and health

Two experiments were conducted to assess the nutritional value and potential use of mesquite bean (Prosopis juliflora) meal (MBM) to substitute corn in extruded diets for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Digestible energy and the content of protein, soluble carbohydrates and amino acids were measured for 160 Nile tilapia juveniles (average weight 25.58 ± 5.52 g), allocated to eight treatment groups (four fed the experimental diet, and four fed a reference diet). To determine the inclusion potential of MBM, 384 fish (average weight 21.85 ± 1.01 g) were used and allocated to 24 tanks (1,000 L capacity). The experimental design was completely randomized with six levels of substitution (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%), and four repetitions. After the feeding experiment, tissue samples (blood, liver, muscle and intestine) were used to analyse metabolic and haematological variables. MBM produced apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) similar to those of traditional diet ingredients: 81.85% dry matter (DM), 83.02% crude energy, 88.57% crude protein, 82.88% lysine and 82.57% methionine. Differences were observed in the digestibility of soluble carbohydrates (p