Effect of Moringa oleifera Leaf-Based Formulated Feeds on Growth Performance, Feed Utilization, and Intestinal Histology of the Nile Tilapia Fingerlings, Oreochromis niloticus

Tilapia fingerlings with a mean weight of 2.51g were used in the study. The fingerlings were collected from fish tanks and randomly distributed into four concrete tanks, each measuring 3 x 2 x 2.5m. The stocking density was 60 fish per hapa, with a total of 180 fish in each tank/treatment. The feeding trial lasted for 8 weeks. Four experimental diets containing 28% crude protein were prepared, with differing levels of Moringa oleifera (Mo) meal (0, 4, 6, and 8g/ kg of diet). The fingerlings fed these diets were designated as Mo0, Mo4, Mo6, and Mo8, respectively. Fish sampling was conducted every two weeks to assess growth parameters. A sample of fish from each group was collected for stomach content analysis and promptly preserved in 10% neutral-buffered formalin for histological analysis. The groups fed Mo6 and Mo8 had significantly higher final body weights (FBW), specific growth rates (SGR), protein efficiency ratios (PER), protein productive values (PPV), and feed conversion ratios (FCR) compared to the group fed Mo4. Histological examination revealed that in the control group (Mo0), the intestinal section showed normal villi with a low number of goblet cells. In the Mo4 group, there were reduced intestinal villi and a low number of goblet cells. In the Mo6 group, there was a significant increase in both the number and length of intestinal villi, with a low number of goblet cells. In the Mo8 group, there was a marked increase in the length of intestinal villi, along with notable lymphocytic infiltration. The present study concluded that adding Moringa oleifera meal to the feed of the Nile tilapia fingerlings at a rate of more than 6g/ kg of feed improves growth performance, survival rate, and feed utilization. Furthermore, the addition of moringa improves digestion efficiency by increasing the length of intestinal villi and inducing marked lymphocytic infiltration.