A feeding trial was carried out to study the effect of dietary inclusion of
different levels of ginger on growth performance, feed, nutrient utilization,
body composition and cost benefit analysis of the Nile tilapia. Nine hapa
(3×3×1 m3) were used, each was stocked with 50 fish (overage initial weight
10 g/fish). Nine experimental diets were formulated to contain (0.5 and 10%
of ginger extract protein instead of soybean meal protein). All the diets were
isonitrogenous (30% protein) and isocaloric (4500 Kcal/kg) diet, gross
energy. Fish were fed on the experimental diets at a rate of 5% of their body
weight daily for 16 weeks. The feed amount was given at two times daily.
Nile tilapia fed the diet containing (1%) ginger extract exhibited the best
performance, feed conversion, and protein efficiency ratio compared with the
control and level 0.5% ginger in fish diets. The body composition was not
affected by ginger extract up to 0.5% inclusion level. However, the higher
level of ginger inclusion caused high protein and low lipid contents of fish
body than the control diet. Cost benefit analysis showed high profil index and
low incidence cost with the ginger inclusion in the diets.