A laboratory growth trial, carcass composition and muscular size were
conducted to evaluate the suitability of sesame meal as dietary protein sources for
Nile tilapia fingerlings. Four experimental diets were formulated to substitute different
levels of soybean meal protein (0, 10, 20 and 30%) with sesame meal protein. All
diets were isonitrogenous (26% protein) and isocaloric (4500 kcal GE/kg OM) and
offered for 10 weeks. The results showed that there was no significant (P>0.05)
variation in the observed growth responses and feed conversion rations between fish
group fed on the control diet and those fed on the diet containing 10% sesame meal.
Fish muscular size was significantly affected by the source of dietary protein as well
as the level of its inclusion. Dietary sesame meal inclusion led to earlier sexual
ripeness and bigger fry.