Optimization of protein content in earthworm-based fish feed formulation

Abstract

A rapid expansion of aquaculture industry is demanding an adequate supply of efficient, nutritious, and inexpensive fish feed, because fish feed contributes highly to the cost of fish production. Protein is typically the most costly nutrient in a formulated feed thus, the low cost and vast availability sources of protein is crucial. Earthworm powder is one of the alternative replacements of fish meal and its digestibility as its nutrient analysis showed that the earthworm meal has high protein content in range of 50.50 % to 60.00 % dry matter. An experiment was conducted by using sequential of Design Expert software (DOE) which are 2-Level Factorial Design and optimize by using Response Surface Method (RSM) to formulated the earthworm-based fish feed formulation. The three factors, namely earthworm powder, soy beans waste and chicken guts were applied as parameters to study their effects in response to optimize the protein content in fish feed formulation. Other ingredients such as rice bran, tapioca flour, vitamin mixture, and Calcium bis-(dihydrogen phosphate) also were used in the formulation. From the optimization study, the highest percentage of protein is 35.965 %. The result of the study indicates that earthworm powder is one of the most significant factor and this fish feed formulation can gives sufficient protein requirements for fish cultivation with economic advantages without sacrificing the quality of the feed.