Formulation of cost effective, nutritionally enriched a novel artificial diet for Mud crab (Scylla serrata) using locally available ingredients

Abstract:

Mud crab farming is greatly affected by the formulation of crab feed and its compositions in an economic way. So, Present study was conducted to find out a sustainable and profitable solutions with best outcome in case of formulated feed for mud crab. The objectives of the study were to formulate a feed composition for mud crab, to understand the composition of formulated feed ingredients with profitable costs and to calculate the proximate composition of formulated feed accordingly. The research presided over a time span of 6 months in Noakhali district of Bangladesh. Feed components were collected from different regions of Noakhali district under Noakhali sadar upazilla (Maijdee) and Begumganj upazilla (Ekhlaspur and Chowmuhani). Two different feeds were formulated with 40% (Feed A) and 45% (Feed B) protein. Selected ingredients were: fish meal, soyabean meal (DO), soyabean meal (FF), rapeseed meal, DORB, wheat flour, DCP, choline chloride, vitamin mineral premix, salt, fish oil and pellet binder. After considering the average sizes (15.39 ±0.34 mm), weight (2.35 ±0.21gm), sinking time (6.49 ±5.17s) and costs of components (BDT 76.25/=), this study selected Feed-B for proximate analysis due to its durability, protein value and sustainability. In a random testing among formulated samples, Average protein was 52.59%, average lipid was 7.59%, average ash was 11.66% and average moisture was 9.29%. After comparing with previous studies, it was found that 45% protein-based feed has a significant impact on the growth of mud crab. On the other hand, the formulation cost of both feeds was pretty similar. On the basis of these circumstances 45% protein based formulated feed is recommended for mud crab.