Dietary Effects Of Wonder Berry (Solanium nigrum) Leaf Powder In The Diet of Clarias gariepinus Fingerlings

Abstract

The dietary effect of Solanum nigrum leaf powder on growth performance, body composition, haematology and biochemical parameters was investigated in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings. 225 C. gariepinus fingerlings (6.40±0.0g mean weights) were fed diets supplemented with five concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20g of S. nigrum of leaf powder/kg) for 56 days. Growth performance, feed efficiency, body composition and Blood parameters of the fish were evaluated. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in the weight gain, specific growth rate, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and feed efficiency ratio of experimental fish. The fish fed the WB4 diet (20g/kg inclusion) had the highest weight gain (25.03±2.66g) and specific growth rate (2.84±0.15g/day). Proximate composition analysis revealed that WB4 fed fish had the highest protein content (67.81±0.02%) and lowest fat (9.66±0.01%) and ash (11.69±0.02%) levels. Fish fed supplemented diets showed significantly improved haematological parameters, and biochemical profile over the control treatment. Dietary inclusion of Solanum nigrum significantly (P<0.05) affected influenced blood parameters. Fish fed 15g/kg inclusion Solanum nigrum (WB3) had the highest haemoglobin Hb (9.40±0.70 g/100 ml) and red blood cells RBC (3.08±0.23×10³/mm³). There was significant difference (P<0.05) in variations across the biochemical profile treatments among which glucose concentration ranged from 39.00±1.00 mg/dl (WB1) to 51.50±0.50 mg/dl (WB4). Total protein increased significantly from 3.65±0.05 g/dl in Control to 5.48±0.05 g/dl in WB4, suggesting improved protein metabolism. This result suggests that incorporating 20g/kg Solanum nigrum dry leaf powder in the diet of African catfish fingerlings significantly boosts growth and nutrient quality, offering a viable natural supplement for sustainable aquaculture practices.