Luthada-Raswiswi RW1*, Mukaratirwa S, O’Brien G
The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) aquaculture industry, primarily for the production of skins, is amongst the largest aquaculture industry in sub-Saharan Africa and produces a range of meat waste products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional value of raw and cooked meal derived from different parts of Crocodylus niloticus carcasses as a potential source of protein in animal feed production, especially fish. Proximate composition of major nutrients such as moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, ash and selected minerals were analysed in October-November 2018 for comparison with other meal sources. Results indicated that Crocodylus niloticus derived meal is of a comparable quality for use in aquaculture feeds, compared to by-product meal quality reported for meal derived from bovine bones and meat, feathers, blood and other poultry by-products. Crocodile meal is hypothesised to be a suitable fishmeal replacement in the production of aquaculture feeds.
