Effect of dietary protein:lipid ratio on growth and body composition in bullfrog ( Lithobates catesbeianus ) Herney Villamizar Luis Carlos Castro Diego Cambas.
KEYWORDS Carcass composition : The makeup or constituents of a carcass, particularly the proportions of muscle, fat, bone, and water . Culture performance : The efficiency and productivity of a culture system, often measured by factors such as growth rate, survival rate, and feed conversion ratio . Fatty acid profile : The relative amounts of different types of fatty acids present in a substance, such as food or tissue . Frog grow-out : The period of time during which a frog grows from a small tadpole to a mature adult.
Effect of dietary protein:lipid ratio on growth and body composition in bullfrog ( Lithobates catesbeianus ) SOURCE: CONABIO This research aims to determine the optimal protein-to-lipid ratio in the diet of bullfrogs during their growth phase. The goal is to improve growth, body composition, and fatty acid profile, contributing to a better understanding of their dietary needs. This knowledge is crucial for efficient and sustainable bullfrog aquaculture, especially considering the global demand for this species.
INTRODUCTION Lack of specific feed formulation: There is currently no specific feed formulation for bullfrogs, and they are often fed fish feed, which may not be optimal for their nutritional needs . Protein and energy requirements: The study aims to determine the optimal ratio of protein to energy (lipids) in bullfrog diets to maximize growth and improve overall health . Improving aquaculture practices: By understanding the specific dietary needs of bullfrogs, researchers hope to improve aquaculture practices and make bullfrog farming more sustainable and efficient.
MATERIAL AND METHODS Bullfrog Feeding Experiment Animal Handling and Euthanasia : Follow OIE standards . Experimental Design:10-week feeding trial30 100-L plastic trays3 protein levels (300, 400, 500 g/kg)3 lipid levels (50, 100, 200 g/kg)9 dietary treatments Feeding Regime:Twice daily feedingAdjust feeding rate based on weight Data Collection:Initial and final weightSurvival rateDaily weight gainFeed conversion ratioProtein efficiency ratioViscerosomatic indexHepatosomatic indexProximal composition analysisFatty acid profile analysis Statistical Analysis:One-way ANOVA Tukey's post-hoc test
MATERIAL AND METHODS
RESULTS Survival and Growth : High survival rates were observed across all treatments.Growth performance, as measured by weight gain and feed conversion ratio, was influenced by dietary protein and lipid levels.High-protein , high-lipid diets ( e.g ., P500/200L) promoted optimal growth.Low-protein , high-lipid diets ( e.g ., P300/200L) hindered growth . Body Composition : Dietary lipid levels significantly impacted carcass lipid content.High-protein , low-lipid diets ( e.g ., P500/50L) resulted in higher body protein content.Muscle and liver lipid content was influenced by dietary lipid levels.High-lipid diets led to increased lipid deposition in muscle and liver . Fatty Acid Profile : Dietary lipid levels affected the fatty acid profile of muscle and liver tissues.High-lipid diets increased the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs ), particularly omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA.The P500/200L diet was particularly effective in enhancing the PUFA profile.The commercial diet generally had a less favorable fatty acid profile .
DISCUSSION Optimal Protein Levels : Dietary protein levels of 400-500 g/kg were optimal for bullfrog growth, aligning with previous research.Higher protein levels led to better growth performance and feed efficiency . Lipid Influence on Growth : While higher lipid levels (200 g/kg) did not significantly improve growth, they influenced body composition.A balanced protein-to-lipid ratio (e.g., 7.4) seems to be optimal for growth and feed efficiency . Fatty Acid Profile : Experimental diets, especially those with higher lipid levels, enhanced the fatty acid profile, particularly omega-3 fatty acids.This is beneficial for human health and the overall quality of bullfrog meat . Commercial Diet Performance : The commercial diet performed less favorably compared to the experimental diets, highlighting the need for specific formulations.The lower performance of the commercial diet may be due to its lower protein quality and suboptimal fatty acid profile.
CONCLUSIONS Lipid Levels : Increasing dietary lipid levels beyond 50 g/kg did not significantly improve bullfrog growth . Optimal Protein Levels : Dietary protein levels of 400-500 g/kg were optimal for bullfrog growth , regardless of lipid content . Balanced Diet : A diet with 400 g/kg protein and 50 g/kg lipids (ratio of 7.4) was suitable for the bullfrog grow-out phase . Fatty Acid Profile : By manipulating the dietary lipid composition , it's possible to enhance the omega-3 fatty acid profile of bullfrog tissues , potentially increasing their market value as a nutraceutical product .