NUTRITIVE VALUE AND MICROBIAL LOAD OF SOME LOCALLY-MADE SINKING FISH FEEDS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Proximate composition, microbe identification and counts of four commercially branded local sinking fish feed in Nigeria were studied to ascertain the authenticity of the nutrient compositions and assess the microbial load. The proximate composition of feeds was analysed according to standard procedures. The spread plate method was used to determine the bacteria count. Fungi were isolated using the dilution plate technique. Analysed values of the feeds were; crude protein (28.4 - 35.2%), ash (5 - 9%), lipid (5.8 - 12%) and crude fibre (2.1 to 4.6%) respectively. The analysed moisture content for Brand EZ and Brand CZ feeds were 92% and 94.8% while their labelled values were 89% and 92% respectively, and no values were disclosed for moisture content of other feeds. Isolated and identified bacteria were Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli. Percentage frequency occurrence revealed the prevalence of Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia and Bacillus cereus. Fungi identified were Fusarium spp, Penicillium spp, Aspergillus flavus, and Mucor spp, but the count in the feeds studied is below the microbial international standard for animals. Based on these findings, the feed quality of the various brands might not meet up the nutritional requirements of young fish, however, the microbial load could not precipitate any severe negative effects on the health status of the cultured fish.