Nutritional Evaluation of Moringa oleifera Leaf Meal as a Protein Supplement in Tilapia Diets

This study evaluated the nutritional potential of Moringa oleifera leaf meal as a partial protein supplement in the diets of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings under controlled conditions in Edo State, South South Nigeria. Moringa oleifera is widely available across Nigeria and contains up to 27 percent crude protein on a dry matter basis, making it a candidate for sustainable aquafeed formulation. Five isonitrogenous diets were formulated with Moringa oleifera leaf meal replacing soybean meal at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 percent inclusion levels. Fingerlings with a mean initial weight of 9.6 grams were stocked in 25 plastic tanks and fed twice daily for ten weeks. Growth performance parameters including weight gain, specific growth rate, and feed conversion ratio were measured bi-weekly. Haematological and morphological parameters were assessed at harvest. Results demonstrated that tilapia fed diets containing up to 50 percent Moringa oleifera replacement performed comparably to the control group, with no significant differences in specific growth rate or feed conversion ratio. Beyond 50 percent inclusion, growth performance declined progressively, likely due to the presence of anti-nutritional factors including tannins and phytates. Fish condition factor and haematological indices remained within normal ranges across all treatments at 50 percent inclusion. The study concludes that Moringa oleifera leaf meal can partially replace soybean meal at up to 50 percent in tilapia diets without adverse effects, presenting a low-cost and sustainable alternative. Keywords: Moringa oleifera, tilapia, protein supplement, aquafeed, sustainable aquaculture