Aurantiochytrium sp. meal as DHA source in Nile tilapia diet, part I: Growth performance and body composition

This study evaluated the inclusion of Aurantiochytrium sp. (ALL‐G‐RICH™), a source of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n‐3, DHA), in the diet of Nile tilapia and its effect on growth performance indexes and body composition. Fish (initial mean weight 8.35 ± 0.80 g) were fed different dietary inclusion levels of ALL‐G‐RICH™: 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, and 0.40 g/kg and a control diet using cod liver oil (CLO), to provide DHA content comparable to the inclusion of 0.10 g/kg ALL‐G‐RICH™. Although there was no significant effect (p > 0.05) on weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion, protein retention rate, and proximal body composition, the inclusion of ALL‐G‐RICH™ in the Nile tilapia diet influenced positively the fatty acid profile in the body, resulting in a high DHA concentration. CLO‐fed fish accumulated significantly more DHA compared to those fed 0.10 g/kg ALL‐G‐RICH™ (p