Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the ability of substitution of animal protein concentrate (APC) by safflowerseed meal (SSM) Safflower meal was prepared after extracting oil safflower seeds. Main chemical composition for seeds and seed meal as well as fatty acids was determined by gas gromotography Common carp cyprinus carpio L. (32 ± 2 gm/fish) were reared at glass aquria for 56 days after acclimatization period for 21 days. Fish were fed on diets containing SSM at the percentage of 0, 4, 8 and 12% substituting 0,25, 50 and 75% of APC in the diets respectively.Statistical analysis showed that there were no significant differences between control and experimental diets in weight gain, relative growth rate (RGR), specific growth rate (SGR), food conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio (PER), sediment protein and protein productive value (PPV). These results revealed the possibility of replacing APC by SSM up to 75% without a significant decrease in the above criteria. This may refer to available unsaturated fatty acids (Oliec, linolenic, linoleic) of 94% and essential fatty acids (linolenic & linoleic) about 80% which supported nutritional value of SSM. In addition, proximate body chemical compositions (crude protein, ether extract, and ash) were studied.
