Harnessing the Phytochemical Attributes and Potentials of Gongrenema latifolium Leaf Meal Supplement in the Optimization of biochemical indices in Cultured African catfish (Clarias garipinus)

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the significant influence of Gongronema latifolium leaf meal on the biochemical indices of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) post fingerlings for thirty (30) weeks. Five treatments were used in all, made up of four levels of G. latifolium leaf meal (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0) and the control diet (0g/kg, in triplicate. The experimental diets were fed to fish in fifteen tarpaulin tanks of 100 by 80 by 100 cm³ capacity each and stocked randomly with twenty C. gariepinus post fingerlings of mean initial bulk body weight of 2.881+ 0.00 g and mean total length of 5.552 ± 0.0cm. The fishes were fed twice daily at 8.00 am and 4.00 pm at 3% of their body weight. The proximate composition of five experimental diets contained crude protein, crude fibre, moisture, crude fat, ash and nitrogen-free extract within the recommended range for fish growth. The phytochemical attributes of G. latifolium evaluated included alkaloids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, flavonoids, polyphenols and reducing compounds. Biochemical indices of C. gariepinus includes total protein, albumin and globulin increased significantly (P<0.05), whereas glucose level, cholesterol, triglyceride and urea increased insignificantly (p>0.05).  Water quality parameters such as pH, temperature and dissolved oxygen were maintained at recommended levels for optimal growth and good health of freshwater fishes. The inclusion of G. latifolium leaf meal in C. gariepinus feed led to improved and balanced (optimal levels of) biochemical parameters of the experimental fish required for optimal growth and development of the cultured fishes. Biochemical indices of C. gariepinus fed on G. latifolium leaf meal produced significant increase in protein, albumin, globulin but insignificant increase in Urea Cholesterol and Triglyceride levels as significantly influenced by flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins and tannins phytochemicals contained in G. latifolium leaves.