Effects of Dietary Moringa oleifera Leaf Meal as a Replacement for Soybean Meal on Growth, Body Composition and Health Status in Cyprinus carpio Juveniles

The growth performance, nutrient utilization and health status of Cyprinus carpio fed various levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal as a replacement for soybean meal was investigated. Six isonitrogenous diets were formulated with Moringa oleifera leaf meal at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% or 50% crude protein replacement. The diets were fed to the fish at 5% body weight to 360 Cyprinus carpio juveniles (8.12±0.21 g) allotted to 18 happas (1 m³) in a completely randomized design for 12 weeks. The results revealed that crude protein replacement levels of 30% had significantly better final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio and feed conversion ratio, while survival rates were not significantly different. Also, haematological, biochemical and immune responses of the fish fed Moringa oleifera leaf meal fortified diets were significantly improved. The results further suggest that higher inclusion replacement is possible but opined that, for growth and economic consideration, Moringa oleifera leaf meal could be used to replace 30% crude protein of soybean in the diet of Cyprinus carpio juveniles.