This study aimed to evaluate the effects of molasses yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisae) as replacement for vitamin premix in diets for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Three hundred sex-reversed, all-male fingerlings, averaging 1.5 g live weight, were stocked in 20 circular 270-L biofilter equipped fiberglass tanks (15 fish/tank). They were fed to satisfaction twice a day with a 32% crude protein diet for 40 days, followed by a 28% crude protein diet for 74 days. Test diets were prepared to contain at least 10% of yeast as replacement for the vitamin premix, and a diet without yeast was used as control. Five treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications. No significant differences were observed in regard to weight gain and specific growth rate. High mortality was observed on groups fed with diets without vitamin premix supplementation. Fish fed with yeast-containing diets presented reduced body protein and increased body lipids as compared to fish fed with the control diet. Molasses yeast is suited to replace water-dissolvable vitamins in diets of Nile tilapia fingerlings.
fishes; nutrient uptake; vitamins; digestibility
