EVALUATION OF CORN GLUTEN MEAL AS A PROTEIN-SOURCE IN TILAPIA DIETS

Corn gluten meal was incorporated into tilapia diets containing 32 and 36% protein from corn and soybean with and without fish meal and soy lecithin, respectively. A 75-day feeding study indicated that the five diets containing corn gluten meal yielded higher weight gain, higher protein efficiency ratio, and better or equal feed conversion ratio va lues of tilapia than a commercial fish feed containing 36% protein and fish meal. Tilapia fed 32% protein diets had the same weight gain as 36% protein diets. No advantage was realized when fish meal (6%) was i ncorporated into the diet. Likewise, diets containing soy lecithin (1% ) did not result in enhanced weight gain relative to diets devoid of l ecithin.