PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF Clarias gariepinus FED DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CHITIN AND CHITOSAN FORM PERIWINKLE SHELL

ABSTRACT

The African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) is a vital protein source from aquaculture, hence there is a need to enhance its sustainability. This study explores the potential of chitin and chitosan (which are natural biopolymers derived from periwinkle shell), as dietary supplements for African catfish. A 10-weekfeeding trial was carried out in 18 plastic tanks with 32 Clarias gariepinus juveniles each, to check the effect of periwinkle chitin and chitosan on their proximate composition. The 18 tanks were divided into 6 treatments which had 3 replicates. Two different inclusion levels of chitin and chitosan, (3% , 6% ) and (0.03%, 0.06% ) respectively and two controls (Basal diet negative control and basal diet plus 0.08% Terramycine positive control) were incorporated with total fish feed (40%CP). After the experimental duration, African catfish which have been properly fed with the experimental diets were collected, sacrificed, ground, weighed and taken to the laboratory for proximate analysis. Increased chitin supplementation was found to generally improve ether extract, moisture content and crude protein, while increased chitosan supplementation increased the ash content. However T4 (0.03% chitosan) had the best proximate composition based on its crude protein content (45.68±2.89^a) which is the major nutrient gotten from fish. By utilizing chitin and chitosan from discarded periwinkle shells, aquaculture can achieve a more sustainable future. Fish nutritionists and farm managers should further explore the potential benefits of chitin and chitosan from periwinkle shells.