Utilization of Ginger Extract in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Diets

A feeding trial was carried out to study the effect of dietary inclusion ofdifferent levels of ginger on growth performance, feed, nutrient utilization,body composition and cost benefit analysis of the Nile tilapia. Nine hapa(3×3×1 m3) were used, each was stocked with 50 fish (overage initial weight10 g/fish). Nine experimental diets were formulated to contain (0.5 and 10%of ginger extract protein instead of soybean meal protein). All the diets wereisonitrogenous (30% protein) and isocaloric (4500 Kcal/kg) diet, grossenergy. Fish were fed on the experimental diets at a rate of 5% of their bodyweight daily for 16 weeks. The feed amount was given at two times daily.Nile tilapia fed the diet containing (1%) ginger extract exhibited the bestperformance, feed conversion, and protein efficiency ratio compared with thecontrol and level 0.5% ginger in fish diets. The body composition was notaffected by ginger extract up to 0.5% inclusion level. However, the higherlevel of ginger inclusion caused high protein and low lipid contents of fishbody than the control diet. Cost benefit analysis showed high profil index andlow incidence cost with the ginger inclusion in the diets.