Abstract:
Determination effects of dietary coconut meal on water stability, protein digestion
and protein utility was conducted in this study. In feed formulation, it were prepared
by the replacement of soybean meal by coconut meal according to the ratio 3 :0 in
Diet I (Dl), 2:1 in Diet 2 (D2) followed by 1:2 and 0:3 in Diet 3 (D3) and Diet 4
(D4) respectively. The proximate analysis of each treatment diet were done to know
the nutritional content of each diet that may varying according to the amounts of
coconut meal that were used. Protein content of faeces had been analyze to know the
digestibility of the protein meanwhile initial weight, final weight and feed intake
had been taken along the study as the way to determine protein utility. From the
result, it clearly stated that there are significant differences in water stability and but
insignificant differences for protein digestion and protein utility. It shown that fish
fed with Diet 2 (D2) have better digestibility of protein and can utilize high amount
of protein for specific purposes without affecting the percentage of dry matter of the
pellet remaining after periods of immersion in water. It can concluded based on the
result that the use of soybean meal and coconut meal with ratio 2: 1 give proper
protein and energy levels in feed influence for better growth and body composition
of fish without infecting the water stability.