Hazelnut meal as a protein source in Russian sturgeon (acipenser gueldenstaedtii brandt, 1833) diets

Abstract

The uses of hazelnut meal in Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) diets were investigated. Hazelnut meal used in three different concentrations: I. Group (control) 0% HM, II. Group 15% HM and III. Group 45% HM, respectively. At the beginning of the study, mean fish weight were 225.58 +/- 0.38 g. Each group had three replicates, and each replicate had 12 individuals. Experiment was carried out for 3 months. Experimental diets were prepared as isonitrogenous (43% CP). At the end of the experiment, increased level of hazelnut meal in sturgeon diets led to decreased live weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio. Final weight of fish for I. Group, II. Group and III. Group were 372.58 +/- 0.35 g, 328.42 +/- 0.40 g and 312.46 +/- 0.34 g, respectively. Greatest live weights were obtained in group I. Hazelnut meal, supplemented groups would be lower cost of production than control. Economic conversion ratio (ECR) of 45% III HM. Group (2.07 (sic) kg(-1)) would represent a saving of 1.60 (sic) kg(-1) compared to the control. Optimum dietary level of hazelnut meal for growth and feed conversion ratio obtained from quadratic regression was 15%, but when economic aspects were considered, the optimum dietary level was 45% hazelnut meal.