Least-cost formulation of feeds for prawns, with particular references to macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man)

Abstract

Linear programming was used in least-cost formulation of feeds for Macrobrachium rosenbergii. The constraints were: crude fat of 5 to 10%, gross energy of 4,400 cal/g, an amino acid profile similar to that of the prawn and specified amounts of crude protein of either 25%, 30%, 40% or 50%. Four pellets, P.25, P.30, P.40, and P.50, were formulated, costing M$0.72, M$0.75, M$0.81 and M$1.04 per kilogram respectively. Chemical analyses indicated that the crude protein, crude fat and gross energy content of the formulated feeds agreed closely with the given constraints. Amino acid analyses showed that the amino acid profiles (with the exception of tryosine, leucine and lysine) of the formulated feeds were remarkably similar to the amino acid profile of the prawn.