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An experiment was conducted in an earthen pond in the west region of Cameroon to investigate the level of replacing fish meal (FM) with lima bean meal (LBM) on zootechnic parameters in common carp fry. Four hundred and fifty fish weighing 0.91±0.03 g were divided into five groups of 90 fish each. In control group (LBM-0), fish received normal feed, while in four experimental groups, FM was replaced with LBM at 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% corresponding to LBM-10, LBM-20, LBM-30 and LBM-40. Fish were fed three times daily for 84 days. Every 14 days, fish were harvested for weight determination. The results obtained showed significant increases in weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR). After 84 days of feeding, fish fed in LBM-40 showed a WG of 6.47 ± 0.48 g and SGR of 2.70 ± 0.11%/d compared to LBM-0 (WG=3.52 ± 0.17 g and SGR=1.95 ± 0.08%/d), corresponding to a significant increases of 58.27% and 27.77% respectively. Concerning feed utilisation, LBM-10 produced the greatest effect with the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR=0.71±0.05) and the highest protein efficiency ratio (PER=3.54±0.26) compared to LBM-0 (FCR=1.09±0.12 and PER=2.36 ± 0.25). These results showed that FM substitution with LBM improves growth and feed utilization in Cyprinus carpio fry.

Callianassa turnerana, called Cameroon ghost shrimps is shrimp with a great sociocultural interest in Cameroon. This study assessed proximate composition and micronutrients contents of Callianassa turnerana from the Wouri estuary in Cameroon. Adult shrimps were collected. The proximate composition, mineral, carotenoids and vitamin E contents were determined in edible parts (male and female) and in eggs of C. turnerana using official analytical methods. One way ANOVA and Fisher’s post hoc PLS test was used to analyze the data. The moisture content were 66±1.5%, 62 ±2.85%, 49.0 ±1.60% in edible parts of male, female and in eggs respectively. Protein contents were high in all the samples ranging from 10.49±0.92% in male edible parts to 30.06±0.89% in eggs. Lipid contents were more than 12% in all samples. Carbohydrate were absent in eggs while the contents were 9.92±0.99% in male and 12.23±0.81% in female edible parts. C. turnerana is a good source of minerals. Sodium (0.983±0.001%- 1.656±0.005%) and Phosphorus (0.974±0.002%-1.321±0.002%) were the main macro elements in all samples. Zn was the major microelement in edible parts with the value ranged from 6.43±0.49mg/100g (male) to 7.62±0.35mg/100g (female) while Cu was the major microelement (10.15±3.57mg/100g) in eggs. High levels of total carotenoids (7.9-15.45µg/g) and vitamin E (12.53-24.03µg/g) were recorded. The main carotenoids were β-caroten (0.637-1.337µg/g) followed by α-caroten (0.216-0.437µg/g). C. turnerana is a good source of many major nutrients and micronutrients and could be used to combat malnutrition and improve health.

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The present study was conducted during 56 days to evaluate the effect of substituting fish meal (FM) with pre-treated Lima bean meal (LBM) on growth, feed utilization, and nutrient retention in Clarias gariepinus fingerlings weighing 3.00±0.02g. Four isonitrogenous (40% crude protein) diets containing 0% (D0), 25% (D25), 50% (D50) and 100% (D100) of LBM, as FM substitute were used. D0 was considered a control diet. The results obtained indicate no significant difference in weight gain (11.97±0.67g and 12.95±2.12g), specific growth rate (3.46±0.23%/day and 2.95±0.22%/day), protein efficiency ratio (0.89±0.01 and 1.05±0.02), protein retention (10.83±0.23% and 12.48±0.19%) and lipid retention (9.11±0.55% and 9.45±0.43%) of fish fed D0 and D100 respectively. Fish fed D25 and D50, showed significant growth increase, feed utilization performances, and both protein and lipid retention in comparison with D0 and D100. This study indicates that Lima bean meal can be used up to 50% in formulating feed for Clarias gariepinus fingerlings in rural areas.