Biochemical evaluation of fungi-degraded date pits as a feed ingredient for Liza ramada fingerlings

Abstract

Human requirements for fish spending had increased all over the world since it became the main different source of the animal protein upon which one billion people are dependent as their main protein source, and it is likely to rise further (Assem et al., 2014). The demand for “seafood” in the year 2025 is expected to exceed 115 million tons. This additional demand cannot be covered solely by fisheries captures, since its harvests are declining, and the only way to satisfy the growing demand is by aquaculture. Aquaculture production represents 61% of the total fish production in Egypt (GAFRD, 2007). The price of energy supplements for animal feeds has recently increased dramatically with their increasing demand and that lead up to search for cheaper high-energy feed ingredients (Obirikorang et al., 2015). According to the principles of eco-innovation concerning a “zero waste”, many wastes are used as unprocessed materials for many industries (Kasapidou et al., 2015). Supplying of cereal grains for animal feeding is extremely narrow. Egypt is the world biggest producer of date since 1974 (1,562,171 MT/ year), It produces about 20 % of the total globe production (Zaid, 2001). Date pits are side products of date industry; it is recognized that the mean weight of a date pit range from 13 to 15 % of dates weight (Hussein et al., 1998). As a result, the date palms, Phoenix dactylifera L., grow in numerous developing countries, so about 189 000 MT of date pit is vacant each year as a side product of date industry in Egypt. Date pits are common in the feeding of ruminant animal.