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Proximate analysis, ,%carotene content and essential amino-acid pattern were determined on various wild plants frequently consumed in Lebanon. In most of the plants studied, ash values were higher than those reported in other parts of the world. The limiting amino-acid was lysine ; its availability was not affected by traditional methods of preparation. As normally eaten, these plants supply a large portion of the vitamin-A requirement.A separation of the lipid fractions is described and identification of various lipid classes is achieved. Individual compounds in these classes are separated and some of them tentatively characterised by RF value, colour in daylight and in ultra-violet, and absorption maxima.

Nutritionists are encouraging use of natural growth promoters in livestock feeds due to their ability to prevent side effects that causes by chemical agents. Black pepper seeds are spices that may use as feed additives to enhance survival, and growth of fish. In the present study, the effects of graded levels of black pepper seeds meal (BPSM) on growth performance, feed and nutrient utilization, body composition and cost-benefit analysis of Florida hybrid red tilapia juveniles were studied. Eight glass aquaria with the dimensions of 70 x 30 x 40 cm were used to stock 15 fish averaging 8.6 g/fish. Four experimental diets were formulated to contain 0, 0.5, 1.0,and 2 % of BPSM as feed additive in red tilapia diets. All the diets were isonitrogenous (29-30% crude protein) and isocaloric (457-463 kcal GE/100 g diet). The feed amount was given three times daily, six days a week for 60 days. Fish were weighed biweekly and feed amounts were adjusted on the basis of the new fish weight. Body weight, weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed the control diet was relatively lower than all diets had BPSM except the diet containing 2% BPSM. Fish fed 0.5% BPSM was significantly higher (P<0.05) SGR, feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), productive protein value (PPV %) and energy retention (ER %) than other tested black paper levels. No significant differences (P>0.05%) were found in moisture, protein, fat, ash and energy contents among all the fish groups fed BPSM levels and the control diet. In addition, diet containing 0.5% BSM was economically superior to other tested levels of black paper in diets. It seemed to save about 28% of feed cost consumed to produce one kilogram fish gain (incidence cost). It was recommended to use black pepper seeds meal in fish feeds on the commercial scale at level of 0.5%.

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