Effect of Goat Weed Leaf Meal (Ageratum conyzoides) as a Partial Dietary Replacement for Maize in the diet of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Juveniles

Effect of Goat Weed Leaf Meal (Ageratum conyzoides) as a Partial Dietary Replacement for Maize in the diet of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Juveniles | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Effect of Goat Weed Leaf Meal (Ageratum conyzoides) as a Partial Dietary Replacement for Maize in the diet of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Juveniles Arnold Ebuka Irabor, Jovita Oghenenyerhovwo Sanubi, Augustine Onyemaechi Ozor, and 4 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3975853/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract It is crucial to find ways to employ less expensive conventional materials in fish farming to lower production costs without adversely affecting the general performance of the fish. Consequently, certain neglected plants, such as goat weed leaves that have been reported to have the potential to serve as a partial substitute for maize (energy source) must be considered. Therefore, this research evaluated the effects of partially replacing maize with goat weed leaf meal ( Ageratum conyzoides) (GWLM) on the growth, haematology, and serum enzyme indices of Clarias gariepinus juveniles. A 56-day feeding trial was conducted with a total of 500 juveniles with an average weight of 13.7 g. After sterilizing in a mixture of potassium permanganate and water to reduce stress, a one-week acclimatization period was ensured using commercial feed (2 mm). Subsequently, they were randomly stocked in quadruplets of 25 fish per culture tank measuring 1.2 m x 1.2 m x 0.9 m each (labeled Ai-iv, Bi-iv, Ci-iv, Di-iv, and Ei-iv) based on the diet to be fed. A total of five (5) different diets with varying levels of dietary inclusion (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%) of goat weed leaf meal (GWLM) as a partial replacement for maize were formulated to contain a minimum crude protein level of 40%. The test diets were administered twice daily (7:00 hrs. and 18:00 hrs.) and the sampled fish were adequately fed (5% body weight) with proper follow-up to monitor feeding behavior. The data collected from the research were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the SPSS version 23 analysis package. Furthermore, a Duncan multiple-range test was employed to separate the means. There were notable (p < 0.05) variations in various parameters (proximate composition, digestibility of nutrients, growth performance, haematological and serological profiles, and water quality) observed in all treatments as the inclusion of the test ingredient in the diet increased. However, as the inclusion levels of the test ingredient increased above 4%, a steady decline was observed between treatments. At a 4% dietary inclusion level, the best performance indices (weight gained (36.52g), feed conversion ratio (2.15), specific growth rate (2.31) and survival rate (95%)), and blood profile (haematology and serum enzyme indices) were observed. Therefore, a 4% replacement of maize using goat weed leaf meal (GWLM) in the diet is suitable for the optimum performance of African catfish. Ageratum conyzoides Conventional feed Fish nutrition Serum enzyme Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Introduction Fish farming is considered one of the most prominent sources of protein for all since fish remains one of the cheapest available animal proteins (Hua et al. 2019 ). Although increased production capacity has been suggested as the most effective way to bridge the ever-growing margin between the demand and supply of fish. However, the drawback has been the cost of production resulting from the high cost and scarcity of feed ingredients such as maize, soyabean, and fish meal. Furthermore, the impact of climate change and the competing interests of livestock and humans for these ingredients also contribute to scarcity and high cost. As the impact of climate change continues to be unfavourable to the production of these essential ingredients, there is a need to consider alternative, sustainable, available and cheaper sources that are not readily competing for by livestock and humans. The use of plant protein sources as an alternative to expensive ingredients in the diets of most cultured fish species, especially African catfish, has been adopted as an effective and efficient alternative feed ingredient (Nwachi and Irabor 2015 ; Kari et al. 2020 ; Irabor et al. 2021a ; 2022a ). Recently, several plant sources such as moringa leaves, duckweed, sweet potato, and goat weed have been explored by fish farmers and feed producers based on their benefits to fish both in performance and cost implications (Abdel-Latif et al. 2022 ; Ekelemu et al. 2023 ; Irabor et al. 2023 ). Consequently, these plants have been used as partial or total replacements without compromising the general performance of the fish. Some such as Moringa oleifera are also known to contribute significantly to the immunity of the fish because of their antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials (Ekelemu et al. 2023 ). Goatweed ( Ageratum conyzoides ) is an invasive plant that grows predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa. This plant is known to grow all year round, although much more in the wet season. The leaves, in addition to being fed to goats, cattle, rabbits, and guinea pigs, are used to tackle various health challenges such as inflammations, headaches, diabetes, and spasm in humans (Ebochonu et al. 2017). This is due to the nutritional and phytochemical properties present in significant proportions. Its nutrient profile includes carbohydrate (36.84%), crude fiber (23.50%) and crude protein (14.73%), which contains ash (12.64%), moisture (10.02%), crude fat (2.27%), vitamins (E, B6, C, and B2) and minerals (Zn, Mg, K, Fe, P, Na, Mn and Ca). The active phytochemicals identified in the leaves are thiamin, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, anthraquinones, niacin, and flavonoids (Gbadamosi and Olanikpekun 2020; Akpodiete et al. 2023 ). Considering the nutritional and phytochemical attributes of goat weed leaves, it has been explored in aquaculture as both a probiotic and a feed additive at varying inclusion levels (Gbadamosi and Olanikpekun 2020). Therefore, this study sought to evaluate the growth performance and hematological characteristics of African catfish ( C. gariepinus ) fed diets with varying levels of dietary inclusion of goat weed leaf meal as a partial replacement for maize. Materials and Methods Research site and duration of the study The culture trial was carried out at the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department Research Farm, while measurements and hematologic analysis were conducted at the department laboratory located in the premises of Dennis Osadebay University Anwai, Asaba, Delta State Nigeria. The research lasted for a period of 56 days from April to June 2023. Collection of the test ingredient Fresh goat weed leaves were identified using a chart provided by a plant expert from the Crop science Department and harvested from the reserve vegetation of the Crop Science Department. The harvested leaves were carefully removed and cleaned, then properly dried at room temperature and blended to powder form with the aid of an electric vegetable blender (model BLG 403) (Fig. 1 ). A proximate and phhytochemical analysis was performed on the leaf (Table 1 ), before inclusion at varying levels to formulate the test diets. Analysis was carried out using the methods described by Tewelde and Mulubrhan (2019). The relative composition analysis was determined using a mixture of methods namely extraction, Kjeldahl, and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIR), while the digestibility test was carried out using both the siphoning and stripping methods. Then the formula used to calculate the level of digestibility was; Digestibility (%) = 100 - (100 x (marker concentration in food/marker concentration in faeces) x (nutrient concentration in faeces/nutrient concentration in the test ingredient or diet)). Table 1 Proximate compositions and phytochemical constituents of goat weed leaf Parameters (%) GWLM Moisture 7.82 ± 0.97 Crude protein 14.64 ± 0.64 Crude fibre 11.87 ± 0.45 Ether extract 5.80 ± 0.08 Ash content 8.98 ± 1.13 Nitrogen free extract 49.72 ± 0.51 Anti-nutritional factors (g) Alkaloids 26.98 ± 0.27 Tannins 7.36 ± 0.19 Saponins 62.03 ± 0.28 Flavonoids 20.74 ± 0.51 Phenol 6.26 ± 0.72 Ascorbic acids 12.35 ± 0.21 Anthraquinones 10.42 ± 0.13 Anthocyanin 15.58 ± 0.49 Cardiac glycosides - Trypsin inhibitor 4.23 ± 0.04 Oxalate 5.12 ± 0.09 Phytate 2.61 ± 0.05 Diet formulation and feeding trial A total of five (5) different diets with varying levels of dietary inclusion (0%, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8%) of goat weed leaf meal (GWLM) as a partial replacement for maize were formulated to contain a minimum of 40% crude protein level (Table 2 ). The conventional ingredients (maize, soya bean, fishmeal, starch as binder and salt) were sourced from a notable market (Abraka market) in Asaba, Delta State, while vitamin premix, lysine and methionine were purchased from an approved seller. The feed ingredients were mixed with the text ingredient (at varying levels of dietary inclusion) and used to produce 2-mm pellet diets using a locally fabricated pelletizer with a 2-mm die. The various 2 mm feeds produced were further separated in different well-labelled containers (Fig. 2 ). Table 2 Percentage composition of diets Ingredients GWLM 0% GWLM 2% GWLM 4% GWLM 6% GWLM 8% Maize 25.80 25.28 24.77 24.25 23.74 Fish meal 26.50 26.50 26.50 26.50 26.50 Soya beans 34.20 34.20 34.20 34.20 34.20 GWLM 0.00 0.52 1.03 1.55 2.06 Vitamin premix 2.50 2.50 2.00 2.00 2.00 Lysine 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 Methionine 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 Salt 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 Binder 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50 A total of 500 African catfish ( C. gariepinus ) juveniles collected from Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Farm were used for the feeding trial. Prior to the beginning of the feeding trial, the healthy juveniles were individually weighed to ensure the weight difference was minimal (average 13.7 g). After sterilizing in a mixture of potassium permanganate and water to reduce stress, a one-week acclimatization period was ensured using commercial feed (2 mm). Subsequently, they were randomly stocked in quadruplets of 25 fish per culture tank measuring 1.2 m x 1.2 m x 0.9 m each (labelled Ai-iv, Bi-iv, Ci-iv, Di-iv, and Ei-iv) based on the diet fed (Fig. 3 ). The test diets were administered twice daily (7:00 hrs. and 18:00 hrs.) and the sampled fish were adequately fed (5% body weight) with proper follow-up to monitor feeding behavior. Growth Performance and Feed Utilization The growth parameters and feed utilization indices (body weight gain, final weight, initial weight, specific growth rate, survival rate, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio) of the sampled fish were measured biweekly using an Anid @ weighing balance (product of A&D Technology Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (Shanghai, China)) to measure body weight (BWT), meter rule, and calliper for standard length (SL) and total length (TL) of the fish. Survival rates (SR) and feed conversion rate (FCR) were evaluated using the methods described by Irabor et al. ( 2022a ). The changes in weight and length observed as recorded were calculated using the modified methods of Garca-Ortega et al. (2016) and Irabor et al. ( 2016 ). Body weight gained (g) = final weight - initial weight The specific growth rate was calculated with \(\frac{ \text{L}\text{i}\text{n} \left(\text{f}\text{i}\text{n}\text{a}\text{l} \text{w}\text{e}\text{i}\text{g}\text{h}\text{t}\right) - \text{L}\text{i}\text{n}\left(\text{i}\text{n}\text{i}\text{t}\text{i}\text{a}\text{l} \text{w}\text{e}\text{i}\text{g}\text{h}\text{t}\right)}{\text{N}\text{u}\text{m}\text{b}\text{e}\text{r} \text{o}\text{f} \text{c}\text{u}\text{l}\text{t}\text{u}\text{r}\text{e} \text{d}\text{a}\text{y}\text{s}}\) x 100 Daily feed intake was determined by = weight of leftover feed - weight of the total feed given. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) is expressed as the quotient of food intake and weight gained: $$\frac{ \text{T}\text{o}\text{t}\text{a}\text{l} \text{f}\text{e}\text{e}\text{d} \text{c}\text{o}\text{n}\text{s}\text{u}\text{m}\text{e}\text{d} }{\text{T}\text{o}\text{t}\text{a}\text{l} \text{w}\text{e}\text{i}\text{g}\text{h}\text{t} \text{g}\text{a}\text{i}\text{n}\text{e}\text{d}}$$ Survival rate was expressed as the difference between total fish stock and quantity harvested: \(\frac{\text{N}\text{u}\text{m}\text{b}\text{e}\text{r} \text{o}\text{f} \text{f}\text{i}\text{s}\text{h} \text{h}\text{a}\text{r}\text{v}\text{e}\text{s}\text{t}\text{e}\text{d} }{\text{N}\text{u}\text{m}\text{b}\text{e}\text{r} \text{o}\text{f} \text{f}\text{i}\text{s}\text{h} \text{s}\text{t}\text{o}\text{c}\text{k}\text{e}\text{d}}\) × 100 Water Quality Analysis Basic water quality parameters as inferred by Boyd ( 2001 ); dissolved oxygen, hydrogen, and hydroxyl ion concentration (pH) and temperature were monitored with the aid of the YSI (556 mps) meter model, while the APHA ( 1998 ) method was used to measure ammonia concentration in the holding receptacle. Haematological and serological analysis The blood profile of the sampled fish was evaluated at the end of the feeding trial (56 days) to determine the effect of the test ingredient. This was done by collecting blood samples from ten (10) randomly selected fish each from the various culture tanks using the procedure described by Gbadamosi and Olanikpekun (2020). Using sterile needles and syringes (1ml), blood was drawn from each of the fish through the lateral line close to the tail region and placed in sterile vials containing ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The technique outlined by Amenyogbe et al. ( 2022 ) and Witeska et al. ( 2022 ) was used to calculate white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), total leukocyte counts, and erythrocyte counts. The following methods were also used to calculate the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of the blood constants, the mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC): White blood cell (WBC) counting area: The 4 huge squares at the edges of Neubauer's compartment are utilized to count white blood cells. Red blood cells (RBCs) are counted in the 5 squares of the central square (which is separated into 25 squares, each one is then split further into 16 squares). Haemoglobin (Hb) = MCV x RBC divided by 29.8. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV %) = \(\frac{\text{P}\text{C}\text{V}}{\text{R}\text{B}\text{C}}\) X 10 Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH %) = \(\frac{\text{H}\text{b}}{\text{R}\text{B}\text{C}}\) X 10 Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC %) = Hb (g/dL) × 100/Hct. Serum was extracted from the blood samples collected by centrifuging some volume of the blood samples separated into well-labelled red top tubes for 5 minutes at 5000 g and 4 ° C in fresh sterile microtubes. After being thoroughly separated, the supernatant was stored at -20 ° C for additional examination using methods described by Rashidian et al. ( 2021 ). Data Analysis The data collected from the research were subjected to a One-way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the SPSS version 23 analysis package. Furthermore, a Duncan multiple range test was employed to separate the means. Results Proximate composition of diets The results on the approximate composition of diets are presented in Table 3 . All diets contained the required crude protein level (40%). However, there were variations in the values obtained for the other nutrients as the inclusion levels increased between treatments. Additionally, the level of antinutritional factors contained in the diets showed variations as the dietary inclusion of GWLM increased between treatments. However, all were within the acceptable standard for the fish species sampled. Table 3 Proximate composition of diets Parameters (%) GWLM 0% GWLM 2% GWLM 4% GWLM 6% GWLM 8% Crude protein 40.7 b 40.6 bc 40.7 a 40.4 c 40.4 d Lipids 9.42 e 7.31 d 8.98 b 7.69 a 8.87 c Crude fibre 2.68 e 3.19 d 3.98 c 4.82 b 6.72 a Moisture 8.41 d 7.52 c 6.98 a 5.99 b 5.36 e Total ash 9.74 e 9.77 d 10.51 c 8.90 b 9.50 a NFE ** 27.8 a 30.5 b 34.9 c 32.8 d 34.3 e Anti-nutritional Factors (g) Alkaloids 2.20 e 2.24 d 2.58 c 2.71 b 2.93 a Tannins 0.30 d 0.31 c 0.30 d 0.34 b 0.39 a Saponins 1.13 d 1.15 c 1.94 a 1.62 b 1.11 e Flavonoids 3.54 d 3.55 d 3.62 c 3.87 b 4.22 a Phenol 0.06 e 0.08 d 0.10 c 0.13 b 0.17 a Ascorbic Acids 4.35 c 4.41 b 5.17 a 4.22 d 3.59 e Anthraquinones 0.32 e 0.34 d 0.37 c 0.39 b 0.42 a Anthocyanin 0.02 e 0.04 d 0.07 c 0.09 b 0.12 a Cardiac glycosides - - - - - Trypsin inhibitor 0.002 e 0.005 d 0.008 c 0.014 b 0.019 a Oxalate 0.03 e 0.06 d 0.11 c 0.031 b 0.057 a Phytate 1.35 d 1.37 c 1.55 a 1.48 b 1.22 e Digestibility test on test ingredients (GWLM) and formulated diets The results of the digestibility test of the test ingredient and diets are presented in Table 4 . The nutrients contained in the test ingredient were easily digestible as all the recorded values for dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and gross energy (GE) were within acceptable limits, therefore adequate nutrients contained in the formulated diets were easily digested by the sampled fish. However, there were variations in the values obtained as dietary inclusion levels increased in diets. Table 4 The digestibility (D,%) of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), and gross energy (GE) in the reference ingredient (GWLM) and test diets in C. gariepinus juveniles were measured using faeces collected by siphoning or stripping. Digestibility test (%) DM OM CP GE SEM P Siphoning GWLW 29.57 c 38.73 c 14.58 f 37.31 f 1.03 0.15 GWLM 0% 26.18 f 37.28 f 40.53 b 43.69 d 1.72 0.08 GWLM 2% 28.18 e 37.94 e 40.40 c 45.20 c 0.39 0.24 GWLM 4% 29.53 d 39.21 b 40.59 a 47.11 a 1.11 0.09 GWLM 6% 31.19 a 41.08 a 40.06 d 46.32 b 2.20 0.21 GWLM 8% 29.66 b 38.09 d 40.02 e 42.44 e 3.52 0.11 Stripping GWLW 30.17 b 39.03 d 15.82 f - 2.15 1.51 GWLM 0% 27.62 f 38.31 e 40.37 b - 0.86 1.18 GWLM 2% 28.87 e 38.11 f 40.33 c - 0.27 0.53 GWLM 4% 29.92 c 39.84 b 40.57 a - 0.25 1.59 GWLM 6% 30.75 a 40.38 a 40.14 d - 1.02 0.92 GWLM 8% 29.73 d 39.14 c 40.03 e - 0.67 1.21 Growth performance and diet utilization indices The growth indices of the fish sampled across treatments revealed that at a 4% level of dietary inclusion of GWLM, optimal weight gain values, Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), and Survival Rate (SR) were achieved (36.52 g, 2.31 g, 2.15 and 95%, respectively) (Table 5 ). However, beyond the 4% inclusion level, a steady decline in these growth indices was observed as the inclusion level of the test ingredient increased between treatments (Fig. 4 ). Table 5 Growth performance of C. gariepinus juveniles fed dietary GWLM for 56 days Parameters (%) GWLM 0% GWLM 2% GWLM 4% GWLM 6% GWLM 8% SEM P Initial weight (g) 13.7 13.6 13.7 13.7 13.6 0.00 0.05 Final weight (g) 48.28 b 47.03 c 50.22 a 43.19 c 36.71 d 2.37 0.48 Weight gain (g) 34.58 b 33.43 c 36.52 a 29.49 c 23.11 d 0.19 0.35 SGR 2.25 b 2.22 c 2.31 a 2.05 d 1.77 e 1.04 0.19 Feed given (g) 82.88 a 81. 78.4 c 73.36 d 68.32 e 2.32 0.22 FCR 2.40 d 2.45 c 2.15 e 2.49 b 2.96 a 0.02 0.51 SR (%) 90 b 92 b 95 a 84 c 75 d 0.36 0.43 Haematological parameters The results of the haematological analysis presented in Table 6 showed a variation in blood indices as the inclusion levels of the test ingredient increased between treatments. The blood profile of the sampled fish was influenced by the test ingredient, especially the packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC), and lymphocyte (LYMPH). As the level of inclusion of the test ingredient increased, all blood indices increased however, as the level of inclusion level of the test ingredient increased above 4% a steady decline was observed for mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and WBC. Table 6 Haematological indices of juveniles of C. gariepinus fed dietary GWLM for 56 days Parameters (%) GWLM 0% GWLM 2% GWLM 4% GWLM 6% GWLM 8% SEM P RBC (10mm − 3 ) 2.64 2.81 2.97 3.35 3.82 0.04 0.03 MCV (fl) 91.2 91.43 91.84 89.77 88.26 0.17 0.04 MCH (pg) 30.3 30.6 30.9 30.1 29.7 0.39 0.46 WBC (10mm − 3 ) 4478 7267 8167 6942 5193 33.24 0.002 PCV (%) 22.1 26.4 29.8 33.6 37.9 0.34 0.028 MCHC (%) 33.7 33.9 33.3 33.8 34.1 0.25 0.037 Hb (g/mol) 10.2 8.37 9.56 9.22 11.7 0.39 0.03 LYMPH (%) 53.08 55.21 60.72 62.95 68.33 1.06 0.61 RBC, red blood cell; MCV, mean corpuscular volume; MCH, mean corpuscular haemoglobin; WBC, white blood cell; PCV, packed cell volume; MCHC, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration; Hb, haemoglobin; LYMPH, lymphocyte. Serum analysis The serum enzyme indicators of the sampled fish were examined (Table 7 ). Significant ( p < 0.05 ) variations (p < 0.05) were recorded between diets, with an increase in serum parameters that matched an increase in GWLM dietary inclusion levels. At GWLM 8%, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) had the highest levels (23.11, 55.41 and 12.95), while GWLM 0% had the lowest mean values (19.52, 45.81 and 10.68), in that order. Table 7 Serum enzyme indicators of C. gariepinus juveniles fed different levels of GWLM diets at 56 days Parameters GWLM 0% GWLM 2% GWLM 4% GWLM 6% GWLM 8% SEM P AST (UL − 1 ) 19.52 cd 20.33 c 21.91 22.66 a 23.11 a 0.43 0.16 ALP (UL − 1 ) 45.81 d 46.29 d 47.97 c 51.82 b 55.41 a 0.52 0.22 ALT (UL − 1 ) 10.68 c 11.13 bc 11.43 b 12.24 a 12.95 a 0.93 0.19 AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; ALP: Alkaline phosphatase. Water Quality Indices The water quality indices recorded from the culture media were all within the acceptable range, which indicated that the test ingredients did not have a negative impact on water quality. However, a variation was observed between water parameters between treatments (Table 8 ). Table 8 Summary of Physicochemical Parameters Parameters GWLM 0% GWLM 2% GWLM 4% GWLM 6% GWLM 8% pH 6.85 6.84 6.81 6.88 6.82 DO (mg/L) 6.20 6.22 6.27 6.24 6.23 Temperature ( o C) 28.4 27.9 28.2 28.5 28.3 Ammonia (mg/L − 1 ) 0.06 0.07 0.07 0.06 0.08 TOM (%) 1.68 1.69 1.64 1.66 1.67 BOD (mg/L − 1 ) 3.56 3.58 3.61 3.64 3.62 DO: dissolved oxygen; TOM: total organic matter; BOD: biological oxygen demand DISCUSSION Appropriate nutritional levels were contained and easily digestible in the test ingredient and formulated diets (goat weed leaf meal) determined by proximate analysis and nutrient digestibility test, supporting the findings of Irabor et al. ( 2022a ). This demonstrated the nutrient and health potential of the test ingredient, thereby confirming it is a good energy source (partial replacement for maize) (Jones et al. 2020 ). According to Elesho et al. ( 2021 ) and Ojewole et al. ( 2022 ), the crude protein required for African catfish at the juvenile stage fell between 40% and above, which is the necessary range for optimum growth performance. However, when the levels of dietary inclusion of the test ingredient increased, p < 0.05 was observed in all diets. This result is consistent with that of Gbadamosi and Olanikpekun (2020), who noted changes in the amounts of crude protein in the diets of African catfish, as the inclusion levels of goat weed leaf meal increased between treatments. A gradual reduction was observed when the inclusion levels of the test components increased above 4% and beyond. Growth indices and feed consumption demonstrated p < 0.05 in all treatments. However, a significant increase in weight gain was observed at the 4% dietary inclusion level. It was revealed that the test ingredient's (Goat weed leaf) high nutritional content and low fiber content led to a higher weight gain. This is consistent with the findings of Hutabarat et al. ( 2019 ), who observed that O. niloticus gained in weight as the amount of duckweed included rose. Furthermore, Gbadamosi and Olanikpekun (2020) reported the same result in African catfish as the dietary inclusion of the goat weed leaf increased in all treatments. Additionally, the under-use of nutrients in diets may be related to the loss of growth performance shown when the level of inclusion of the test ingredient increased to 6% and beyond. This supported the findings of Tavares et al. ( 2008 ), who observed that O. niloticus growth was reduced as the dietary inclusion of duckweed increased across treatments. Flores-Miranda et al. ( 2015 ) also found the same result: when the test component (fermented duckweed) was added to the diets in amounts of more than 50% across treatments. In the same vein, the growth performance of L. vannamei abruptly decreased as the levels of duckweed dietary inclusion increased between treatments. The feed intake as indicated by the result demonstrated a consistent decrease in feed consumption as the levels of dietary inclusion of goat weed leaf meal increased above 4%. This may be explained by some characteristics of the test diet, such as decreased nutritional content, poor digestibility, and increased palatability when the test ingredient rose above the level of dietary inclusion of 4%. The results of Olaniyi and Oladunjoye ( 2012 ) and Wanderi and Olendi ( 2020 ), who observed that O. niloticus fed diets with elevated levels (over 50%) of duckweed meal had low feed intake, agree with the findings of this study. Furthermore, Gbadamosi and Olanikpekun (2020) reported the same finding in a study in which more goat weed leaf meal was fed to African catfish juveniles. The antimicrobial characteristics of GWLM were indicated by the considerable changes ( p < 0.05 ) changes in blood parameters observed as the inclusion levels of GWLM increased between treatments. Significant ( p < 0.05 ) impacts of the antioxidant content of the test ingredient were observed in some blood indices, especially PCV and LYMPH, with increasing values correlating with increased levels of inclusion of the test ingredient. This study contradicts the findings of Kakwi and Olusegun ( 2020 ), who found that the feeding of Cyprinus carpio with different ingredients from Mucuna pruriens decreased PCV levels. However, this result is in line with the report of Gbadamosi and Olanikpekun (2020), where increased PCV was observed in African catfish as GWLM inclusion levels of GWLM increased between treatments. Additionally, in this study, GWLM also improved WBC levels (immune stimulating capacity), although there was a significant decrease as inclusion levels increased above 4%. The same was observed in a study carried out on C. Carpio fed sesbania leaf meal (Anand et al. 2020 ). Similar trends were also observed in MCH and MCV, all of which may be related to physiological stress. Generally, goat weed leaf meal (GWLM) had a positive influence on fish health status, since there was an observed difference between treatments as the dietary inclusion levels of the test ingredient increased. This result confirms that of Gbadamosi and Olanikpekun (2020), who reported an improvement in health status in African catfish fed goat weed leaf meal at varying inclusion levels. This also confirms the probiotic potentials of most of these plant leaves used such as Moringa oleifera (Irabor et al. 2021a ), duckweed (Irabor et al. 2022a ; b ), and sweet potato (Irabor et al. 2023 ). Conclusion and Recommendation The study found that juvenile C. gariepinus performed optimally in terms of growth and immunity at a 4% level of dietary inclusion of GWLM. Additionally, the added GWLM had an antioxidant quality that, in turn, positively affected the white blood cells (WBC), thereby enhancing the overall health of the sampled fish. Therefore, it is suggested that 4% of maize can be replaced with GWLM to improve the performance and general well-being of African catfish. Declarations Acknowledgement We express our gratitude to the whole Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture team for their invaluable assistance during this project. The authors also sincerely appreciate the laboratory technician for her help with the lab work. Ethical approval All aspects of the research that needed ethical approval were duly approved by the Senate Council for Research and Development, through the subcommittee on Aquatic Animal Research, Dennis Osadebay University, Anwai, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria. The approval number is RDAAD-12. Consent to participate All authors worked together to establish the idea and design of the study. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were handled by Irabor Arnold Ebuka, Onwuka Maureen, and Olele Nkeonyeasua Florence. Irabor Arnold Ebuka and Pierre Hardin Aaron wrote the first draft of the manuscript, which was subsequently evaluated and improved with contributions from Jovita Oghenenyerhovwo Sanubi, Augustine Onyemaechi Ozor, and Muhammad Faisal Khalil. The final manuscript was collectively reviewed, approved, and approved by all authors. Consent to publish All authors have consented to publish this article as they have no relevant financial or nonfinancial conflict of interest to disclose. Funding The authors declare that this research was completely self-funded and that no external funds, grants, or other support were received. Data Availability Statements The data for this investigation will be made available by the corresponding author upon reasonable request. References Abdel-Latif HM, Abdel-Daim MM, Shukry M, Nowosad J, Kucharczyk D (2022) Benefits and applications of Moringaoleifera as a plant protein source in Aquafeed: A review. Aquaculture, 547, 737369.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2021 Akpodiete OJ, Oghenebrorhie O, Iwegbu A, Irikefe-Ekeke PE, Ade S (2023) Additive potentials of goat weed leaf meal and scent leaf meal: growth performance, blood indices and microbial loads of broiler chickens 8 th All-Africa conference on Animal Agriculture 26 – 29. Amenyogbe E, Yang EJ, Xie RT, Huang JS, & Chen G (2022). Influences of indigenous isolates Pantoea agglomerans RCS2 on growth, proximate analysis, haematological parameters, digestive enzyme activities, serum biochemical parameters, antioxidants activities, intestinal morphology, disease resistance, and molecular immune response in juvenile's cobia fish ( Rachycentron canadum ). Aquaculture, 551, 737942. Anand G, Srivastava PP, Varghese T, Sahu NP, Xavier M, Harikriskna V, Prabhakaran A, Kumari P (2020) Haematological and histo-architectural alterations in Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus 1758) fed with Sesbania leaf meal. Journal of Environmental Biology, 41, 1082-1088. doi.org/10.22438/jeb/41/5/MRN-1349. APHA (1998) Standards Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. 20th edition, American Public Health Association, Washington, D.C. Boyd JP (2001) Chebyshev and Fourier spectral methods . Courier Corporation. Ebochou VC, Ebigki KG, Ahaotu EO, Singh V (2017) Growth performance of juvenile African Catfish Fed Ageratum conyzoides Leaf Meal Based Diets. Journals of AgroBio. and Env.Sci. 4:47-50. Ekelemu JK, Irabor AE, Anderson RE (2023) Performance and gutmicrobiota of catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ) fed powdered Moringa oleifera leaves as an additive (Probiotics), Aquaculture and Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aaf.2023.04.006. Elesho FE, Sutter DAH, Swinkels MAC, Verreth JAJ, Kröckel S, Schrama JW (2021) Quantifying methionine requirement of juvenile African catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ). Aquaculture, 532, 736020.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.736020 Flores-Miranda MC, Luna-González A, Cortés-Espinosa DV Alvarez-Ruiz P, Cortes-Jacinto E, Valdez-Gonzalez FJ, Escamilla-Montes R, Gonzalez-Ocampo HA (2015) Effects of diets with fermented duckweed ( Lemna sp.) on growth performance and gene expression in the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei . Aquaculture International. 23, 547–561. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58538-3_67-1 Garlock T, Asche F, Anderson J, Bjørndal T, Kumar G, Lorenzen K, Tveterås R. (2020). A global blue revolution: aquaculture growth across regions, species, and countries. Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture, 2 8 (1), 107-116. Gbadamosi OK, Olanipekun OS (2020)Dietary supplementation with goat weed leaf ( Ageratum conyzoides ) improves growth performance, haematological parameters and attenuates pathological-induced stress in African catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ) fingerlings . Livestock Research for Rural Development.32, 111. http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd32/7/ejaye32111.html García-Ortega A, Kissinger KR, Trushenski JT (2016) Evaluation of fish meal and fish oil replacement by soybean protein and algal meal from Schizochytrium limacinum in diets for giant grouper Epinephelus lanceolatus . Aquaculture , 452 , 1-8. Hua K, Cobcroft JM, Cole A, Condon K., Jerry DR., Mangott A, Strugnell JM (2019). The future of aquatic protein: implications for protein sources in aquaculture diets. One Earth , 1 (3), 316-329. Hutabarat P, Darmanto J, Ocky K, Radjasa V, Herawati E (2019) Growth and nutrient value of tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) fed with Lemna minor meal based on different fermentation time. Aquaculture, Aquarium, Conservation and Legislation ; 12(1):191-200. Irabor AE, Ekokotu PA, Nwachi OF (2016) Effects of Pawpaw Seed Powder as an Additive on Growth of Catfish Fingerlings Reared in Indoor Tanks. Journal of Northeast Agricultural University (English Edition) , 23 (4), 55-60. Irabor AE, Ekelemu JK, Ekokotu PA, Nwachi OF (2021a) The effect of garlic concentrates on the performance of hybrid catfish fingerlings ( Heterobranchus longifilis x Clarias gariepinus ). International Journal of Agricultural Technology 17(2):503-516. Irabor AE, Ekokotu PA, Obakanurhe O, Adeleke ML, Obugara JE, Ayamre EU (2021b) Moringa oleifera leaf meal as partial replacement of soybean meal in diets of Clarias gariepinus juveniles Livestock Research for Rural 33(8). http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd33/8/33100obaka.html Irabor AE, Obakanurhie O, Nwachi FO, Ekokotu PA, Ekelemu JK, Awhefeada OK, Adeleke LM, Jrn Pierre H, Adagha O (2022a) Duckweed ( Lemna minor ) meal as a partial replacement for fish meal in catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ) juvenile diets. Livestock Research for Rural Development. 34,6. http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd34/1/3406irabo.html Irabor AE, Adeleke ML, Pierre HJ, Nwachi OF (2022b) Performance of nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) with giant freshwater prawns ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) fed diets with duckweed ( Lemna minor ) and fish waste meal as replacement for conventional protein sources. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 34(8). Irabor AE, Ekelemu JK, Ekokotu PA, Obakanurhe O, Adeleke ML (2022c) Groundnut shell meal as a partial replacement for maize in diets of Clarias gariepinus juveniles. International Journal of Agricultural Technology, 18(5):1995-2008. http://www.ijat-aatsea.com Irabor AE, Ekelemu JK, Nwachi FO, Olawale JO, Pierre JH (2022d) Effect of Maize Cop as Replacement for Maize on the Growth Performance and Haematological Profile of Clarias gariepinus International Journal of Agricultural Technology, 18(4):1539-1550. http://www.ijat-aatsea.com Irabor AE, Obakanurhe O, Pierre HA, Adeleke ML, Chukwurah IA (2023) Sweet Potato ( Ipomoea batatas ) Leaf Meal as Partial Replacement for Soyabean Meal in Catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ) Juvenile Diets Livestock Research for Rural Development, 35(4). Jones SW, Karpol A, Friedman S, Maru BT, Tracy BP (2020) Recent advances in single cell protein use as a feed ingredient in aquaculture. Current opinion in biotechnology, 61, 189-197.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copbio.2019.12.026 Kakwi D, Olusegun DO (2020) Evaluation of the Effects of Raw and Differently Processed Mucuna pruriens Seed Diets on the Growth and Haematological Indices of Cyprinus carpio Fingerlings. Journal of Agricultural Studies, 4; 2617-3530. DOI: 10.31058/j.as.2020.42001 Kari ZA, Kabir MA, Razab AA, Munir MB, Lim PT, Wei LS (2020) A replacement of plant protein sources as an alternative of fish meal ingredient for African catfish, Clarias gariepinus : A review. Journal of Tropical Resources and Sustainable Science (JTRSS), 8(1), 47-59.https://doi.org/10.47253/jtrss.v8i1.164 Muna AD, Mohammad E, Habib A, Bashar A, Azza J, Wassim G (2021) First assessment of water quality of an artificial lake for fish culture and irrigation: A case study of water reuse in water shortage area across the Middle East Aquaculture Research,52(3); 1267-1281 https://doi.org/10.1111/are.14985 Nwachi OF, Irabor AE (2015) Response of catfish Heterobranchus bidorsalis to cultured zooplankton and decapsulated artemia in the Niger Delta Nigeria International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 3:104-107. Olaniyi CO, Oladunjoye IO (2012) Replacement value of duckweed ( Lemna minor ) in Nile tilapia ( Oreoochromis niloticus ) diet. Transnational Journal of Science and Technology 2(9):54-62. Ojewole AE, Faturoti EO, Ihundu C (2022) Nutrient utilization and growth performance of African catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ) fed varying levels of the composite meal (CM) in replacement of fishmeal. International Journal of Aquaculture and Fishery Sciences, 8(2), 54-58.https://doi.org/10.17352/2455-8400.000078 Rashidian G, Boldaji JT, Rainis S, Prokić MD, Faggio C. (2021) Oregano ( Origanum vulgare ) Extract Enhances Zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) Growth Performance, Serum and Mucus Innate Immune Responses and Resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila Challenge. Animals. 11(2):299. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020299 Tavares FA, Bosco J, Rodrigues R, Fracalossi DM, Esquivel J, Rouback R (2008) Dried duckweed and commercial feed promote adequate growth performance of tilapia fingerlings. Biotemas, 21 (3):91-97.https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-7925.2008v21n3p91 Tewelde HR, Mulubrhan KA (2019) Nutritional Composition, Antinutritional Factors, Antioxidant Activities, Functional Properties, and Sensory Evaluation of Cactus Pear ( Opuntia ficus-indica ) Seeds Grown in Tigray Region, Ethiopia", International Journal of Food Science , 7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/5697052 Wanderi E, Olendi R (2020) Assessment of Duckweed Supplement Diet to Fishmeal on the Growth Performance of Oreochromis niloticus Fingerlings. African Environmental Review Journal 3 (2), 20 - 25. http://www.aerjournal.info/index.php/journals/article/view/70 Witeska M, Kondera E, Ługowska K, Bojarski B. (2022) Hematological methods in fish–Not only for beginners. Aquaculture, 547, 737498. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-3975853","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":274519432,"identity":"46c86f6c-fb6c-4566-b6d1-fe1741823335","order_by":0,"name":"Arnold Ebuka Irabor","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA+klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYLCCB2wMPAwgxFDBDBaQIKglAa7lDAlaGMBaGNuI0MI/++zBBwllDDLm7WcPPq6cZy1ncID54G0ehjt2DTi0SJzLSzZIOMfAI3MmL9nw7LZ0Y4MDbMnWPAzPknFpYTjDYyaR2MbAI8GQYybZuO1w4oYDPGbSPAyHk3HpkIdr4X8D1DIHpIX/G14tBnAtEiBbGsC2sIG02OHSYniGxxjoFwmglnfJhg3H0o0lD7MZW84xOJyAS4vcGR7DBx/KbOwl+HMPPmyosZbjO9788MabisP2uLRAAXJEgKPGgCGxgYAeTEDIllEwCkbBKBg5AADb4E1C9ivwMQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"Dennis Osadebay University, Anwai, Asaba","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Arnold","middleName":"Ebuka","lastName":"Irabor","suffix":""},{"id":274519433,"identity":"d1f2bbe2-ba45-4400-806c-c32c12b5878c","order_by":1,"name":"Jovita Oghenenyerhovwo Sanubi","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Dennis Osadebay University, Anwai, Asaba","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Jovita","middleName":"Oghenenyerhovwo","lastName":"Sanubi","suffix":""},{"id":274519434,"identity":"b79bcf38-2717-4b2c-b78b-d154e6bdfb3d","order_by":2,"name":"Augustine Onyemaechi Ozor","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Dennis Osadebay University, Anwai, Asaba","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Augustine","middleName":"Onyemaechi","lastName":"Ozor","suffix":""},{"id":274519435,"identity":"35bf1b91-7183-480f-b714-a062afb8bab2","order_by":3,"name":"Maureen Onwuka","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Dennis Osadebay University, Anwai, Asaba","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Maureen","middleName":"","lastName":"Onwuka","suffix":""},{"id":274519436,"identity":"fdab8fac-34ea-46c6-b99e-27f230f0eaa6","order_by":4,"name":"Flourence Nkeonyeasua Olele","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Dennis Osadebay University, Anwai, Asaba","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Flourence","middleName":"Nkeonyeasua","lastName":"Olele","suffix":""},{"id":274519437,"identity":"8f574bb5-47ee-470e-b0fe-2abe109ae5a2","order_by":5,"name":"Hardin Aaron Jn Pierre","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Kagoshima University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Hardin","middleName":"Aaron Jn","lastName":"Pierre","suffix":""},{"id":274519438,"identity":"d3872e07-bdd6-405b-8214-02cf061360d6","order_by":6,"name":"Muhammad Faisal Khalil","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Peshawar","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Muhammad","middleName":"Faisal","lastName":"Khalil","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2024-02-21 14:11:54","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3975853/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3975853/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":51675707,"identity":"35ac7d61-336a-4964-a0c3-932401710506","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-02-27 04:44:26","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":1227753,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ea:\u003c/strong\u003e Goat weed plant; \u003cstrong\u003eb: \u003c/strong\u003eGoat weed leaves; \u003cstrong\u003ec: \u003c/strong\u003eGoat Weed Leaf Meal (GWLM)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3975853/v1/d5b66aaa04996d253d4e98d5.png"},{"id":51675708,"identity":"bec3f2eb-5d21-4767-821f-7a9696742bbd","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-02-27 04:44:26","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":2673546,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eFormulated diet; \u003cstrong\u003ea:\u003c/strong\u003e Test diet one (0% replacement level); \u003cstrong\u003eb:\u003c/strong\u003e Test diet two (2% replacement level);\u003cstrong\u003e c:\u003c/strong\u003e Test diet three (4% replacement level); \u003cstrong\u003ed:\u003c/strong\u003e Test diet four (6% replacement level); \u003cstrong\u003ee:\u003c/strong\u003e Test diet five (8% replacement level)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3975853/v1/4a607d1e269290bd5eefd3c6.png"},{"id":51675709,"identity":"e18496d7-2341-4e28-81d6-6a8243ad4622","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-02-27 04:44:26","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":1793812,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eFish samples; \u003cstrong\u003ea:\u003c/strong\u003e Tank one (to be fed the diet with 0% replacement level); \u003cstrong\u003eb:\u003c/strong\u003e Tank two (to be fed the diet with 2% replacement level);\u003cstrong\u003e c:\u003c/strong\u003e Tank three (to be fed the diet with 4% replacement level); \u003cstrong\u003ed:\u003c/strong\u003e Tank four (to be fed the diet with 6% replacement level); \u003cstrong\u003ee:\u003c/strong\u003e Tank five (to be fed the diet with a 8% replacement level).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3975853/v1/f84abbab5ff5cedaf5f213b5.png"},{"id":51675710,"identity":"a8a30f01-9203-4b72-9a8c-bedad0660437","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-02-27 04:44:26","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":3319307,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ea: \u003c/strong\u003eSampled fish from tank one (0% replacement level of test ingredient); \u003cstrong\u003eb: \u003c/strong\u003eSampled fish from tank two (2% replacement level of the test ingredient); \u003cstrong\u003ec:\u003c/strong\u003e Sampled fish from tank three (4% replacement level of test ingredient);\u003cstrong\u003e d: \u003c/strong\u003eSampled fish from tank four (6% replacement level of test ingredient); \u003cstrong\u003ee: \u003c/strong\u003eSampled fish from tank five (8% replacement level of test ingredient)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3975853/v1/c71ae3aabefebce85ff2dff5.png"},{"id":53508504,"identity":"1bc49250-26c5-4dac-a9f0-bfa8844fc1db","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-03-26 20:55:43","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":6125921,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3975853/v1/dd3ffc0e-e373-4b82-96ef-10b37fa2b572.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Effect of Goat Weed Leaf Meal (Ageratum conyzoides) as a Partial Dietary Replacement for Maize in the diet of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Juveniles","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eFish farming is considered one of the most prominent sources of protein for all since fish remains one of the cheapest available animal proteins (Hua et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Although increased production capacity has been suggested as the most effective way to bridge the ever-growing margin between the demand and supply of fish. However, the drawback has been the cost of production resulting from the high cost and scarcity of feed ingredients such as maize, soyabean, and fish meal. Furthermore, the impact of climate change and the competing interests of livestock and humans for these ingredients also contribute to scarcity and high cost. As the impact of climate change continues to be unfavourable to the production of these essential ingredients, there is a need to consider alternative, sustainable, available and cheaper sources that are not readily competing for by livestock and humans. The use of plant protein sources as an alternative to expensive ingredients in the diets of most cultured fish species, especially African catfish, has been adopted as an effective and efficient alternative feed ingredient (Nwachi and Irabor \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; Kari et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Irabor et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021a\u003c/span\u003e; \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022a\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRecently, several plant sources such as moringa leaves, duckweed, sweet potato, and goat weed have been explored by fish farmers and feed producers based on their benefits to fish both in performance and cost implications (Abdel-Latif et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Ekelemu et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Irabor et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Consequently, these plants have been used as partial or total replacements without compromising the general performance of the fish. Some such as \u003cem\u003eMoringa oleifera\u003c/em\u003e are also known to contribute significantly to the immunity of the fish because of their antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials (Ekelemu et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGoatweed (\u003cem\u003eAgeratum conyzoides\u003c/em\u003e) is an invasive plant that grows predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa. This plant is known to grow all year round, although much more in the wet season. The leaves, in addition to being fed to goats, cattle, rabbits, and guinea pigs, are used to tackle various health challenges such as inflammations, headaches, diabetes, and spasm in humans (Ebochonu et al. 2017). This is due to the nutritional and phytochemical properties present in significant proportions. Its nutrient profile includes carbohydrate (36.84%), crude fiber (23.50%) and crude protein (14.73%), which contains ash (12.64%), moisture (10.02%), crude fat (2.27%), vitamins (E, B6, C, and B2) and minerals (Zn, Mg, K, Fe, P, Na, Mn and Ca). The active phytochemicals identified in the leaves are thiamin, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, anthraquinones, niacin, and flavonoids (Gbadamosi and Olanikpekun 2020; Akpodiete et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConsidering the nutritional and phytochemical attributes of goat weed leaves, it has been explored in aquaculture as both a probiotic and a feed additive at varying inclusion levels (Gbadamosi and Olanikpekun 2020). Therefore, this study sought to evaluate the growth performance and hematological characteristics of African catfish (\u003cem\u003eC. gariepinus\u003c/em\u003e) fed diets with varying levels of dietary inclusion of goat weed leaf meal as a partial replacement for maize.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Materials and Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eResearch site and duration of the study\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe culture trial was carried out at the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department Research Farm, while measurements and hematologic analysis were conducted at the department laboratory located in the premises of Dennis Osadebay University Anwai, Asaba, Delta State Nigeria.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe research lasted for a period of 56 days from April to June 2023.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCollection of the test ingredient\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFresh goat weed leaves were identified using a chart provided by a plant expert from the Crop science Department and harvested from the reserve vegetation of the Crop Science Department. The harvested leaves were carefully removed and cleaned, then properly dried at room temperature and blended to powder form with the aid of an electric vegetable blender (model BLG 403) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). A proximate and phhytochemical analysis was performed on the leaf (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e), before inclusion at varying levels to formulate the test diets. Analysis was carried out using the methods described by Tewelde and Mulubrhan (2019). The relative composition analysis was determined using a mixture of methods namely extraction, Kjeldahl, and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIR), while the digestibility test was carried out using both the siphoning and stripping methods. Then the formula used to calculate the level of digestibility was;\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDigestibility (%)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;100 - (100 x (marker concentration in food/marker concentration in faeces) x (nutrient concentration in faeces/nutrient concentration in the test ingredient or diet)).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProximate compositions and phytochemical constituents of goat weed leaf\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"2\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParameters (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMoisture\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.82\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.97\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrude protein\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrude fibre\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.87\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEther extract\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAsh content\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.98\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNitrogen free extract\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.72\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAnti-nutritional factors (g)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlkaloids\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.98\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTannins\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.36\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSaponins\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62.03\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFlavonoids\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.74\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhenol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.26\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAscorbic acids\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.35\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnthraquinones\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.42\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnthocyanin\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.58\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.49\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCardiac glycosides\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrypsin inhibitor\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.23\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOxalate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.12\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhytate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.61\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eDiet formulation and feeding trial\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA total of five (5) different diets with varying levels of dietary inclusion (0%, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8%) of goat weed leaf meal (GWLM) as a partial replacement for maize were formulated to contain a minimum of 40% crude protein level (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). The conventional ingredients (maize, soya bean, fishmeal, starch as binder and salt) were sourced from a notable market (Abraka market) in Asaba, Delta State, while vitamin premix, lysine and methionine were purchased from an approved seller. The feed ingredients were mixed with the text ingredient (at varying levels of dietary inclusion) and used to produce 2-mm pellet diets using a locally fabricated pelletizer with a 2-mm die. The various 2 mm feeds produced were further separated in different well-labelled containers (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePercentage composition of diets\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIngredients\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 2%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 4%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 8%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaize\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.80\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.77\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFish meal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSoya beans\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVitamin premix\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLysine\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMethionine\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSalt\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBinder\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA total of 500 African catfish (\u003cem\u003eC. gariepinus\u003c/em\u003e) juveniles collected from Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Farm were used for the feeding trial. Prior to the beginning of the feeding trial, the healthy juveniles were individually weighed to ensure the weight difference was minimal (average 13.7 g). After sterilizing in a mixture of potassium permanganate and water to reduce stress, a one-week acclimatization period was ensured using commercial feed (2 mm). Subsequently, they were randomly stocked in quadruplets of 25 fish per culture tank measuring 1.2 m x 1.2 m x 0.9 m each (labelled Ai-iv, Bi-iv, Ci-iv, Di-iv, and Ei-iv) based on the diet fed (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). The test diets were administered twice daily (7:00 hrs. and 18:00 hrs.) and the sampled fish were adequately fed (5% body weight) with proper follow-up to monitor feeding behavior.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eGrowth Performance and Feed Utilization\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe growth parameters and feed utilization indices (body weight gain, final weight, initial weight, specific growth rate, survival rate, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio) of the sampled fish were measured biweekly using an Anid\u003csup\u003e@\u003c/sup\u003e weighing balance (product of A\u0026amp;D Technology Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (Shanghai, China)) to measure body weight (BWT), meter rule, and calliper for standard length (SL) and total length (TL) of the fish. Survival rates (SR) and feed conversion rate (FCR) were evaluated using the methods described by Irabor et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022a\u003c/span\u003e). The changes in weight and length observed as recorded were calculated using the modified methods of Garca-Ortega et al. (2016) and Irabor et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBody weight gained (g)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;final weight - initial weight\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe specific growth rate was calculated with\u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\frac{ \\text{L}\\text{i}\\text{n} \\left(\\text{f}\\text{i}\\text{n}\\text{a}\\text{l} \\text{w}\\text{e}\\text{i}\\text{g}\\text{h}\\text{t}\\right) - \\text{L}\\text{i}\\text{n}\\left(\\text{i}\\text{n}\\text{i}\\text{t}\\text{i}\\text{a}\\text{l} \\text{w}\\text{e}\\text{i}\\text{g}\\text{h}\\text{t}\\right)}{\\text{N}\\text{u}\\text{m}\\text{b}\\text{e}\\text{r} \\text{o}\\text{f} \\text{c}\\text{u}\\text{l}\\text{t}\\text{u}\\text{r}\\text{e} \\text{d}\\text{a}\\text{y}\\text{s}}\\)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e x 100\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDaily feed intake was determined by =\u0026thinsp;weight of leftover feed - weight of the total feed given.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe feed conversion ratio (FCR) is expressed as the quotient of food intake and weight gained:\u003cdiv id=\"Equa\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equa\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$\\frac{ \\text{T}\\text{o}\\text{t}\\text{a}\\text{l} \\text{f}\\text{e}\\text{e}\\text{d} \\text{c}\\text{o}\\text{n}\\text{s}\\text{u}\\text{m}\\text{e}\\text{d} }{\\text{T}\\text{o}\\text{t}\\text{a}\\text{l} \\text{w}\\text{e}\\text{i}\\text{g}\\text{h}\\text{t} \\text{g}\\text{a}\\text{i}\\text{n}\\text{e}\\text{d}}$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurvival rate was expressed as the difference between total fish stock and quantity harvested:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e \u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\frac{\\text{N}\\text{u}\\text{m}\\text{b}\\text{e}\\text{r} \\text{o}\\text{f} \\text{f}\\text{i}\\text{s}\\text{h} \\text{h}\\text{a}\\text{r}\\text{v}\\text{e}\\text{s}\\text{t}\\text{e}\\text{d} }{\\text{N}\\text{u}\\text{m}\\text{b}\\text{e}\\text{r} \\text{o}\\text{f} \\text{f}\\text{i}\\text{s}\\text{h} \\text{s}\\text{t}\\text{o}\\text{c}\\text{k}\\text{e}\\text{d}}\\)\u003c/span\u003e \u003c/span\u003e \u0026times; 100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eWater Quality Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBasic water quality parameters as inferred by Boyd (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2001\u003c/span\u003e); dissolved oxygen, hydrogen, and hydroxyl ion concentration (pH) and temperature were monitored with the aid of the YSI (556 mps) meter model, while the APHA (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1998\u003c/span\u003e) method was used to measure ammonia concentration in the holding receptacle.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eHaematological and serological analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe blood profile of the sampled fish was evaluated at the end of the feeding trial (56 days) to determine the effect of the test ingredient. This was done by collecting blood samples from ten (10) randomly selected fish each from the various culture tanks using the procedure described by Gbadamosi and Olanikpekun (2020). Using sterile needles and syringes (1ml), blood was drawn from each of the fish through the lateral line close to the tail region and placed in sterile vials containing ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The technique outlined by Amenyogbe et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e) and Witeska et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e) was used to calculate white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), total leukocyte counts, and erythrocyte counts. The following methods were also used to calculate the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of the blood constants, the mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC):\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhite blood cell (WBC) counting area: The 4 huge squares at the edges of Neubauer's compartment are utilized to count white blood cells.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRed blood cells (RBCs) are counted in the 5 squares of the central square (which is separated into 25 squares, each one is then split further into 16 squares).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHaemoglobin (Hb)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;MCV x RBC divided by 29.8.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean corpuscular volume (MCV %) = \u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\frac{\\text{P}\\text{C}\\text{V}}{\\text{R}\\text{B}\\text{C}}\\)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e X 10\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH %) = \u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\frac{\\text{H}\\text{b}}{\\text{R}\\text{B}\\text{C}}\\)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e X 10\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC %)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Hb (g/dL) \u0026times; 100/Hct.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSerum was extracted from the blood samples collected by centrifuging some volume of the blood samples separated into well-labelled red top tubes for 5 minutes at 5000 g and 4 \u0026deg; C in fresh sterile microtubes. After being thoroughly separated, the supernatant was stored at -20 \u0026deg; C for additional examination using methods described by Rashidian et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eData Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe data collected from the research were subjected to a One-way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the SPSS version 23 analysis package. Furthermore, a Duncan multiple range test was employed to separate the means.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eProximate composition of diets\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe results on the approximate composition of diets are presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e. All diets contained the required crude protein level (40%). However, there were variations in the values obtained for the other nutrients as the inclusion levels increased between treatments. Additionally, the level of antinutritional factors contained in the diets showed variations as the dietary inclusion of GWLM increased between treatments. However, all were within the acceptable standard for the fish species sampled.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProximate composition of diets\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParameters (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 2%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 4%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 8%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrude protein\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.7\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.6\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.7\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.4\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.4\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLipids\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.42\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.31\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.98\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.69\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.87\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrude fibre\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.68\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.19\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.98\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.82\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.72\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMoisture\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.41\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.52\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.98\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.99\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.36\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal ash\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.74\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.77\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.51\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.90\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.50\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNFE\u003csup\u003e**\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.8\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.5\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.9\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.8\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.3\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnti-nutritional Factors (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlkaloids\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.20\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.24\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.58\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.71\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.93\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTannins\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.30\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.31\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.30\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.34\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.39\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSaponins\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.13\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.15\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.94\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.62\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.11\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFlavonoids\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.54\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.55\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.62\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.87\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.22\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhenol\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.06\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.08\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.10\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.13\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.17\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAscorbic Acids\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.35\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.41\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.17\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.22\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.59\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnthraquinones\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.32\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.34\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.37\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.39\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.42\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnthocyanin\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.02\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.04\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.07\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.09\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.12\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCardiac glycosides\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrypsin inhibitor\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.002\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.005\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.008\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.014\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.019\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOxalate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.03\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.06\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.11\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.031\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.057\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhytate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.35\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.37\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.55\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.48\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.22\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eDigestibility test on test ingredients (GWLM) and formulated diets\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe results of the digestibility test of the test ingredient and diets are presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e. The nutrients contained in the test ingredient were easily digestible as all the recorded values for dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and gross energy (GE) were within acceptable limits, therefore adequate nutrients contained in the formulated diets were easily digested by the sampled fish. However, there were variations in the values obtained as dietary inclusion levels increased in diets.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe digestibility (D,%) of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), and gross energy (GE) in the reference ingredient (GWLM) and test diets in \u003cem\u003eC. gariepinus\u003c/em\u003e juveniles were measured using faeces collected by siphoning or stripping.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDigestibility test (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCP\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGE\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSEM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSiphoning\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLW\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.57\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.73\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.58\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.31\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.18\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.28\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.53\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.69\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 2%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.18\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.94\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.40\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.20\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 4%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.53\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.21\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.59\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.11\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.19\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.08\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.06\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.32\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 8%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.66\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.09\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.02\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.44\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStripping\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLW\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.17\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.03\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.82\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.62\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.31\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.37\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.86\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 2%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.87\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.11\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.33\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 4%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.92\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.84\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.57\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.75\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.38\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.14\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.92\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 8%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.73\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.14\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.03\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eGrowth performance and diet utilization indices\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe growth indices of the fish sampled across treatments revealed that at a 4% level of dietary inclusion of GWLM, optimal weight gain values, Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), and Survival Rate (SR) were achieved (36.52 g, 2.31 g, 2.15 and 95%, respectively) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). However, beyond the 4% inclusion level, a steady decline in these growth indices was observed as the inclusion level of the test ingredient increased between treatments (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGrowth performance of \u003cem\u003eC. gariepinus juveniles\u003c/em\u003e fed dietary GWLM for 56 days\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParameters (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 2%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 4%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 8%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSEM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInitial weight (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinal weight (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.28\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.03\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.22\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.19\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.71\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWeight gain (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.58\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.43\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.52\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.49\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.11\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSGR\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.25\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.22\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.31\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.05\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.77\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFeed given (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82.88\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e78.4\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e73.36\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e68.32\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFCR\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.40\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.45\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.15\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.49\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.96\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSR (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e90\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e92\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e84\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eHaematological parameters\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe results of the haematological analysis presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e showed a variation in blood indices as the inclusion levels of the test ingredient increased between treatments. The blood profile of the sampled fish was influenced by the test ingredient, especially the packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC), and lymphocyte (LYMPH). As the level of inclusion of the test ingredient increased, all blood indices increased however, as the level of inclusion level of the test ingredient increased above 4% a steady decline was observed for mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and WBC.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab6\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 6\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHaematological indices of juveniles of \u003cem\u003eC. gariepinus\u003c/em\u003e fed dietary GWLM for 56 days\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParameters (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 2%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 4%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 8%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSEM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRBC (10mm\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;3\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.97\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.82\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMCV (fl)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e91.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e91.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e91.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e89.77\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMCH (pg)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.46\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWBC (10mm\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;3\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4478\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7267\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8167\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6942\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5193\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.002\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePCV (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.028\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMCHC (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.037\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHb (g/mol)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLYMPH (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60.72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62.95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e68.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRBC, red blood cell; MCV, mean corpuscular volume; MCH, mean corpuscular haemoglobin; WBC, white blood cell; PCV, packed cell volume; MCHC, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration; Hb, haemoglobin; LYMPH, lymphocyte.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSerum analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe serum enzyme indicators of the sampled fish were examined (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab7\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e). Significant (\u003cem\u003ep\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/em\u003e) variations (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) were recorded between diets, with an increase in serum parameters that matched an increase in GWLM dietary inclusion levels. At GWLM 8%, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) had the highest levels (23.11, 55.41 and 12.95), while GWLM 0% had the lowest mean values (19.52, 45.81 and 10.68), in that order.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab7\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 7\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSerum enzyme indicators of \u003cem\u003eC. gariepinus\u003c/em\u003e juveniles fed different levels of GWLM diets at 56 days\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParameters\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 2%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 4%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 8%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSEM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAST (UL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.52\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.33\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.91\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.66\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.11\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eALP (UL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.81\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.29\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.97\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51.82\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.41\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eALT (UL\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.68\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.13\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.43\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.24\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.95\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.93\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAST: Aspartate aminotransferase; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; ALP: Alkaline phosphatase.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eWater Quality Indices\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe water quality indices recorded from the culture media were all within the acceptable range, which indicated that the test ingredients did not have a negative impact on water quality. However, a variation was observed between water parameters between treatments (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab8\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab8\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 8\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSummary of Physicochemical Parameters\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParameters\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 0%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 2%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 4%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGWLM 8%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003epH\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.88\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.82\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDO (mg/L)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTemperature (\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAmmonia (mg/L\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTOM (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.69\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.66\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBOD (mg/L\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.62\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"6\"\u003eDO: dissolved oxygen; TOM: total organic matter; BOD: biological oxygen demand\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"DISCUSSION","content":"\u003cp\u003eAppropriate nutritional levels were contained and easily digestible in the test ingredient and formulated diets (goat weed leaf meal) determined by proximate analysis and nutrient digestibility test, supporting the findings of Irabor et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022a\u003c/span\u003e). This demonstrated the nutrient and health potential of the test ingredient, thereby confirming it is a good energy source (partial replacement for maize) (Jones et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). According to Elesho et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) and Ojewole et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e), the crude protein required for African catfish at the juvenile stage fell between 40% and above, which is the necessary range for optimum growth performance. However, when the levels of dietary inclusion of the test ingredient increased, \u003cem\u003ep \u0026lt; 0.05\u003c/em\u003e was observed in all diets. This result is consistent with that of Gbadamosi and Olanikpekun (2020), who noted changes in the amounts of crude protein in the diets of African catfish, as the inclusion levels of goat weed leaf meal increased between treatments.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA gradual reduction was observed when the inclusion levels of the test components increased above 4% and beyond. Growth indices and feed consumption demonstrated \u003cem\u003ep \u0026lt; 0.05\u003c/em\u003e in all treatments. However, a significant increase in weight gain was observed at the 4% dietary inclusion level. It was revealed that the test ingredient's (Goat weed leaf) high nutritional content and low fiber content led to a higher weight gain. This is consistent with the findings of Hutabarat et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e), who observed that \u003cem\u003eO. niloticus\u003c/em\u003e gained in weight as the amount of duckweed included rose. Furthermore, Gbadamosi and Olanikpekun (2020) reported the same result in African catfish as the dietary inclusion of the goat weed leaf increased in all treatments. Additionally, the under-use of nutrients in diets may be related to the loss of growth performance shown when the level of inclusion of the test ingredient increased to 6% and beyond. This supported the findings of Tavares et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e), who observed that \u003cem\u003eO. niloticus\u003c/em\u003e growth was reduced as the dietary inclusion of duckweed increased across treatments. Flores-Miranda et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e) also found the same result: when the test component (fermented duckweed) was added to the diets in amounts of more than 50% across treatments. In the same vein, the growth performance of \u003cem\u003eL. vannamei\u003c/em\u003e abruptly decreased as the levels of duckweed dietary inclusion increased between treatments.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe feed intake as indicated by the result demonstrated a consistent decrease in feed consumption as the levels of dietary inclusion of goat weed leaf meal increased above 4%. This may be explained by some characteristics of the test diet, such as decreased nutritional content, poor digestibility, and increased palatability when the test ingredient rose above the level of dietary inclusion of 4%. The results of Olaniyi and Oladunjoye (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e) and Wanderi and Olendi (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e), who observed that \u003cem\u003eO. niloticus\u003c/em\u003e fed diets with elevated levels (over 50%) of duckweed meal had low feed intake, agree with the findings of this study. Furthermore, Gbadamosi and Olanikpekun (2020) reported the same finding in a study in which more goat weed leaf meal was fed to African catfish juveniles.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe antimicrobial characteristics of GWLM were indicated by the considerable changes (\u003cem\u003ep \u0026lt; 0.05\u003c/em\u003e) changes in blood parameters observed as the inclusion levels of GWLM increased between treatments. Significant (\u003cem\u003ep \u0026lt; 0.05\u003c/em\u003e) impacts of the antioxidant content of the test ingredient were observed in some blood indices, especially PCV and LYMPH, with increasing values correlating with increased levels of inclusion of the test ingredient. This study contradicts the findings of Kakwi and Olusegun (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e), who found that the feeding of \u003cem\u003eCyprinus carpio\u003c/em\u003e with different ingredients from \u003cem\u003eMucuna pruriens\u003c/em\u003e decreased PCV levels. However, this result is in line with the report of Gbadamosi and Olanikpekun (2020), where increased PCV was observed in African catfish as GWLM inclusion levels of GWLM increased between treatments. Additionally, in this study, GWLM also improved WBC levels (immune stimulating capacity), although there was a significant decrease as inclusion levels increased above 4%. The same was observed in a study carried out on \u003cem\u003eC. Carpio\u003c/em\u003e fed sesbania leaf meal (Anand et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). Similar trends were also observed in MCH and MCV, all of which may be related to physiological stress.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenerally, goat weed leaf meal (GWLM) had a positive influence on fish health status, since there was an observed difference between treatments as the dietary inclusion levels of the test ingredient increased. This result confirms that of Gbadamosi and Olanikpekun (2020), who reported an improvement in health status in African catfish fed goat weed leaf meal at varying inclusion levels. This also confirms the probiotic potentials of most of these plant leaves used such as \u003cem\u003eMoringa oleifera\u003c/em\u003e (Irabor et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021a\u003c/span\u003e), duckweed (Irabor et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022a\u003c/span\u003e; \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003eb\u003c/span\u003e), and sweet potato (Irabor et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e "},{"header":"Conclusion and Recommendation","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe study found that juvenile \u003cem\u003eC. gariepinus\u003c/em\u003e performed optimally in terms of growth and immunity at a 4% level of dietary inclusion of GWLM. Additionally, the added GWLM had an antioxidant quality that, in turn, positively affected the white blood cells (WBC), thereby enhancing the overall health of the sampled fish.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTherefore, it is suggested that 4% of maize can be replaced with GWLM to improve the performance and general well-being of African catfish.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgement\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe express our gratitude to the whole Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture team for their invaluable assistance during this project. The authors also sincerely appreciate the laboratory technician for her help with the lab work.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthical approval\u003c/strong\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll aspects of the research that needed ethical approval were duly approved by the Senate Council for Research and Development, through the subcommittee on Aquatic Animal Research, Dennis Osadebay University, Anwai, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria. The approval number is RDAAD-12. \u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll authors worked together to establish the idea and design of the study. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were handled by Irabor Arnold Ebuka, Onwuka Maureen, and Olele Nkeonyeasua Florence. Irabor Arnold Ebuka and Pierre Hardin Aaron wrote the first draft of the manuscript, which was subsequently evaluated and improved with contributions from Jovita Oghenenyerhovwo Sanubi, Augustine Onyemaechi Ozor, and Muhammad Faisal Khalil. The final manuscript was collectively reviewed, approved, and approved by all authors.\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent to publish\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll authors have consented to publish this article as they have no relevant financial or nonfinancial conflict of interest to disclose.\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that this research was completely self-funded and that no external funds, grants, or other support were received.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData Availability Statements\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data for this investigation will be made available by the corresponding author upon reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eAbdel-Latif HM, Abdel-Daim MM, Shukry M, Nowosad J, Kucharczyk D (2022) Benefits and applications of Moringaoleifera as a plant protein source in Aquafeed: A review. 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Current opinion in biotechnology, 61, 189-197.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copbio.2019.12.026\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eKakwi D, Olusegun DO (2020) Evaluation of the Effects of Raw and Differently Processed \u003cem\u003eMucuna pruriens\u003c/em\u003e Seed Diets on the Growth and Haematological Indices of \u003cem\u003eCyprinus carpio\u003c/em\u003e Fingerlings. Journal of Agricultural Studies, 4; 2617-3530. DOI: 10.31058/j.as.2020.42001\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eKari ZA, Kabir MA, Razab AA, Munir MB, Lim PT, Wei LS (2020) A replacement of plant protein sources as an alternative of fish meal ingredient for African catfish, \u003cem\u003eClarias gariepinus\u003c/em\u003e: A review. Journal of Tropical Resources and Sustainable Science (JTRSS), 8(1), 47-59.https://doi.org/10.47253/jtrss.v8i1.164\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eMuna AD, Mohammad E, Habib A, Bashar A, Azza J, Wassim G (2021) First assessment of water quality of an artificial lake for fish culture and irrigation: A case study of water reuse in water shortage area across the Middle East Aquaculture Research,52(3); 1267-1281 https://doi.org/10.1111/are.14985\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eNwachi OF, Irabor AE (2015) Response of catfish \u003cem\u003eHeterobranchus bidorsalis\u003c/em\u003e to cultured zooplankton and decapsulated artemia in the Niger Delta Nigeria International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 3:104-107.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOlaniyi CO, Oladunjoye IO (2012)\u003c/strong\u003e Replacement value of duckweed (\u003cem\u003eLemna minor\u003c/em\u003e) in Nile tilapia (\u003cem\u003eOreoochromis niloticus\u003c/em\u003e) diet. 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Animals. 11(2):299. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020299\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTavares FA, Bosco J, Rodrigues R, Fracalossi DM, Esquivel J, Rouback R (2008)\u003c/strong\u003e Dried duckweed and commercial feed promote adequate growth performance of tilapia fingerlings. Biotemas,\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e21 (3):91-97.https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-7925.2008v21n3p91\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eTewelde HR, Mulubrhan KA (2019) Nutritional Composition, Antinutritional Factors, Antioxidant Activities, Functional Properties, and Sensory Evaluation of Cactus Pear (\u003cem\u003eOpuntia ficus-indica\u003c/em\u003e) Seeds Grown in Tigray Region, Ethiopia\u0026quot;, \u003cem\u003eInternational Journal of Food Science\u003c/em\u003e, 7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/5697052\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cem\u003eWanderi E, Olendi R (2020)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eAssessment of Duckweed Supplement Diet to Fishmeal on the Growth Performance of \u003cem\u003eOreochromis niloticus\u003c/em\u003e Fingerlings. African Environmental Review Journal 3 (2), 20 - 25. http://www.aerjournal.info/index.php/journals/article/view/70\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eWiteska M, Kondera E, Ługowska K, Bojarski B. (2022) Hematological methods in fish\u0026ndash;Not only for beginners. Aquaculture, 547, 737498.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Ageratum conyzoides, Conventional feed, Fish nutrition, Serum enzyme","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3975853/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3975853/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eIt is crucial to find ways to employ less expensive conventional materials in fish farming to lower production costs without adversely affecting the general performance of the fish. Consequently, certain neglected plants, such as goat weed leaves that have been reported to have the potential to serve as a partial substitute for maize (energy source) must be considered. Therefore, this research evaluated the effects of partially replacing maize with goat weed leaf meal (\u003cem\u003eAgeratum conyzoides)\u003c/em\u003e (GWLM) on the growth, haematology, and serum enzyme indices of \u003cem\u003eClarias gariepinus\u003c/em\u003e juveniles. A 56-day feeding trial was conducted with a total of 500 juveniles with an average weight of 13.7 g. After sterilizing in a mixture of potassium permanganate and water to reduce stress, a one-week acclimatization period was ensured using commercial feed (2 mm). Subsequently, they were randomly stocked in quadruplets of 25 fish per culture tank measuring 1.2 m x 1.2 m x 0.9 m each (labeled Ai-iv, Bi-iv, Ci-iv, Di-iv, and Ei-iv) based on the diet to be fed. A total of five (5) different diets with varying levels of dietary inclusion (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%) of goat weed leaf meal (GWLM) as a partial replacement for maize were formulated to contain a minimum crude protein level of 40%. The test diets were administered twice daily (7:00 hrs. and 18:00 hrs.) and the sampled fish were adequately fed (5% body weight) with proper follow-up to monitor feeding behavior. The data collected from the research were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the SPSS version 23 analysis package. Furthermore, a Duncan multiple-range test was employed to separate the means. There were notable (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) variations in various parameters (proximate composition, digestibility of nutrients, growth performance, haematological and serological profiles, and water quality) observed in all treatments as the inclusion of the test ingredient in the diet increased. However, as the inclusion levels of the test ingredient increased above 4%, a steady decline was observed between treatments. At a 4% dietary inclusion level, the best performance indices (weight gained (36.52g), feed conversion ratio (2.15), specific growth rate (2.31) and survival rate (95%)), and blood profile (haematology and serum enzyme indices) were observed. Therefore, a 4% replacement of maize using goat weed leaf meal (GWLM) in the diet is suitable for the optimum performance of African catfish.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Effect of Goat Weed Leaf Meal (Ageratum conyzoides) as a Partial Dietary Replacement for Maize in the diet of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Juveniles","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2024-02-27 04:44:21","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3975853/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"18d6cbb9-cfb4-4805-aec9-0253430b68a6","owner":[],"postedDate":"February 27th, 2024","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2024-03-26T20:47:34+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2024-02-27 04:44:21","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-3975853","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-3975853","identity":"rs-3975853","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"qtupq5eGEP_6zYnWcrvyt","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}