CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

This chapter of the study will show the rationale and introduction of the research study. This will include the
dependent and the independent variables that will be used in this study as well as its significance and limitations.

Background of the Study

Aquaculture is one of the leading industries in the Philippines, although the increasing price of feeds causes
fishermen to seek ways in reducing maintenance cost. And so, the cost of production is generally on the cost of
feeds used. This is the problem in manufacturing since most feed ingredients such as fish meal and blood meal are
imported and expensive. The Philippines is one of the top milkfish producers in the world and has been exporting it
to other countries like the United States, England, Canada and Japan. The City of Dagupan in Pangasinan, being the
“Milkfish Capital of the Philippines” produces the most numerous Milkfish in the country. Therefore, Milkfish
fingerlings are common in this area and will be easy to collect for the researchers’ study.

Food production is significant in every organism’s life. Milkfish, which will be the beneficiaries of this study,
need food to sustain the maintenance of their growth. Milkfish fingerlings or juveniles grow best when fed diets
containing 7–10% lipid, 1.0–1.5 % n3 fatty acids, 25% carbohydrate, 10.4–14.7 kJ/g diet, and protein energy to total
energy ratio of 44.4%.

Moreover, aside from its distinctive flavour, milkfish produces many benefits to the human well-being. It
contains more Omega-3 than in other fish which means it is a great source of nutrition for human health. In addition,
consuming milkfish can meet the protein needs of the body. Omega fatty acids are also present, which could help in
the development of the brain and memory of children, nourish the eyes, increase endurance and increase breast milk
and its quality for pregnant women. In addition to its benefits, it could also reduce depression and prevent coronary
heart disease, high cholesterol levels and micronutrient deficiencies
(http://www.articlesofhealthcare.com/10019/benefits-of-milkfish-as-source-of-nutrition.html). It is also a good
source of Vitamin B3 which is relevant in digestion, cholesterol formation, and healthy skin/nerves, as well as
Vitamin B12 for energy, cell division, and red blood cell formation.
(http://nutrition.healthgrove.com/l/17280/Milkfish)

Soybean and its components are valued resources of the food and feed industries in the Philippines. The whole
beans are also processed in producing edible products like soymilk, tofu or soybean curd and soy sauce. The oil
extracted from the soybeans are not just for creating cooking oil but also for industrial applications such as making
biodiesel. Furthermore, livestock industries utilize soybean meal in manufacturing feeds due to the fact that it is an
excellent source of protein.

Furthermore, the researchers will use soybean hulls to increase the growth of Bangus in the locality, thereby
attaining profitable and organic way for aquaculture industry. A test for its acceptability as a feed substitute for
milkfish fingerlings will be conducted. Hence, the researchers would like to find out the potency of soybean hulls as
starter feeds for milkfish fingerlings.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The research study will aim to determine the effectiveness of Soybean Glycine max hulls in the production of
Milkfish Chanos chanos fingerlings feeds.

Significantly, it will seek to answer the following questions:

1. What is the nutritional content of Soybean Glycine max hulls as Milkfish Chanos chanos fingerlings feeds?

2. Which treatment will yield the best result in producing Milkfish Chanos chanos fingerlings feeds out of
Soybean Glycine max hulls?

3. Is there a significant difference between Soybean hulls fish feeds from the commercial fish feeds for
Milkfish Chanos chanos fingerlings in terms of:
a. increase in length;
b. weight gain;
c. shelf life; and
d. cost?
Hypotheses

H0. There is no significant difference between Soybean hulls fish feeds and the commercial fish feeds for Milkfish
Chanos chanos fingerlings in terms of:

a. increase in length;
b. weight gain;
c. shelf life: and
d. cost?

H1. There is a significant difference between Soybean hulls fish feeds and the commercial fish feeds for Milkfish
Chanos chanos fingerlings in terms of:

a. increase in length;
b. weight gain;
c. shelf life: and
d. cost?
Figure I.1 Research Paradigm

Processes
Input

Gathering of variables
Soybean Glycine max
Protein Analysis
Preparation and processing of
Hulls Independent Variable
Milkfish Chanos
Formulation of Treatments
Feeds Production:
chanos Fingerlings Mixing
Air Drying
Feeds Moulding
Sun Drying
Application of Treatments
Data collection
Evaluation in terms of Parameters
a. increase in length;
b. weight gain;
c. shelf life; and
d. cost ?
Data Analysis and interpretation

Output

Soybean Glycine max Hull as Alternative

Feeds for Milkfish Chanos chanos

Fingerlings
Conceptual Framework

The research study will intend to test and investigate the feasibility of Soybean Glycine max hull as feeds for
Milkfish Chanos chanos fingerlings. Furthermore, it will conduct to test the difference between the fish feeds from
soybean hulls and commercial fish feeds considering the parameters of the study. The researchers will use the
independent variable which is soybean hulls. This variable will use to make Milkfish Chanos chanos fingerlings
feeds. It will undergo processes such as grinding, mixing, air drying and pellet making through molding and sun
drying in order to arrive the finishing product. The final output is the dependent variable which will be compared to
the controlled variable; in this case it will involve the commercial Milkfish Chanos chanos fingerlings feeds.

Significance of The Study

This research study will aim to produce Soybean hulls fish feeds for Milkfish Chanos chanos fingerlings.

Economy. This study will help the country’s economy regarding the costs of market fish, specifically Milkfish. Due
to the low expenses of fish cultivators, the average price of Milkfish will likely decrease. Therefore, this price
rollback will encourage consumers to buy more of these products and help in the development of our economy.
Since the production of Milkfish would increase, the study will also contribute in increasing the ---Philippine’s
Gross National Product (GNP).

Environment. This research study will have an impact on our environment because of the independent variable
used. Soybean hulls which are technically plant waste will be utilized to produce fish feeds and thus giving it an
importance. These will no longer be considered waste, instead a reproducible material.

Aquaculture. This study likewise benefits aquaculture, specifically fishermen and fish cultivators. This could
provide them a more efficient and effective kind of feed which is a lot cheaper than commercial products. It would
support the development of farmed fish and give them additional benefits and nutrients relevant to their growth.

Business. This research study will also have a contribution to business. It will benefit entrepreneurs by giving them
opportunities concerning products from milkfish. Those businessmen owning different companies whose main
product comes from milkfish will also be benefited since these fishes will have a better quality and cheaper cost.

Future Researchers. This research study will also serve as an inspiration to future researchers. It will be able to
help them be interested in using variables which are common wastes in order to reuse it to produce something useful
and beneficial. It could also assist those researchers who are concerned in constructing new feed alternatives for
fishes, specifically milkfish.
Scope and Delimitations

This research study will focus on the effectiveness of soybean hulls as milkfish fingerlings feeds. The
parameters to be looked into will be length, weight gain, shelf life and cost. Also, the researchers will be conducting
their study at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) at Bonuan, Dagupan, Pangasinan and at their
houses at Mangaldan, Pangasinan.

Definition of Terms

Fingerlings - A small fish especially up to one year of age and a young fish, one less than a year old and about the
size of a human finger.

Hulls – It is the shell or pod of peas or beans or the outer covering of any fruit or seed. It is also known as husk.

Commercial Feeds - Means all materials or combinations of materials that are distributed or intended for
distribution for use as feed or for mixing in feed, unless such materials are specifically exempted.

Increase in length – This is the difference of the average measurement of the length of fingerlings and the initial
measurement.

Weight gained – This is the difference of the average measurement of the weight of fingerlings and the initial
measurement.

Shelf Life – This is the parameter concerning the time period for which the feeds remain fit for consumption.

Cost – This parameter concerns the amount spent in order to attain the final product.

Aquaculture – It is also known as aquafarming, is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans,
molluscs and aquatic plants. It involves cultivating freshwater and saltwater populations under controlled conditions,
and can be contrasted with commercial fishing, which is the harvesting of wild fish.

Protein Analysis - It is the bioinformatics study of protein structure and function using database searches, sequence
comparisons, structural and functional predictions.

Protein – A nutrient found in food (as meat, milk, eggs, and beans) that is made up of many amino acids joined
together, is a necessary part of the diet, and is essential for normal cell structure and function.
Chanidae – A family of rather large brilliant silvery toothless fishes related to the herrings and including among
recent forms only a milkfish (Chanos chanos).

Finfish - A bony fish, such as a salmon, or a cartilaginous fish, such as a shark, especially in contrast to a shellfish
or other aquatic animal.

Gross National Product (GNP) – It is the total value of goods produced and services provided by a country during
one year, equal to the gross domestic product plus the net income from foreign investments. In addition, it is the
market value of all the products and services produced in one year by labour and property supplied by the citizens
of a country.

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) – It is used to determine whether there are any significant differences between the
means of three or more independent (unrelated) groups. This guide will provide a brief introduction to one-way
ANOVA, including the assumptions of the test and when you should use this test.

Complete Randomized Design (CRD) – The simplest form of experimental design, in which a group of test plants
or animals is studied only once but subsequent treatment is applied to determine the cause of change.
 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter of the study will involve related literature about the variables, the independent, dependent and
extraneous variables as well as some related studies about Soybean Glycine max hulls.

The first domestication of Soybean Glycine max hulls has been traced to the eastern half of North China in the
eleventh century B.C. or perhaps a bit earlier. It has been one of the five main plant foods of China. Soybean was
domesticated in the 11th century BC around northeast of China. It is a leguminous vegetable of the pea family that
grows in tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates. These are native to East Asia and have been important protein
source. There are many uses of soybean. The oil may be used for cooking and other edible uses such as margarine,
salad dressings and mayonnaises. Furthermore, it could be used and sold for biodiesel production or industrial uses.
Once the oil is removed, the processors bake the high-protein fiber that is left and sell it as animal feed for poultry,
pork, cattle, other farm animals and pets. In addition, soy protein is increasingly found in fish food.  Most marine
species were nourished with fish meal, but the shortage and expensive price of fish meal has convinced
manufacturers to switch to high protein soymeal for a variety of marine species. Around the world, soy protein may
be found in feed for most animals.

The outer covering of the soybean is the soybean hull and this part is removed when soybeans undergo
processes to produce food.  It is an extremely great source of digestible fibre which means it can have a positive
impact on forage intake and digestibility. Naturally, these do not require special processing to produce feed. Though,
soybean hulls have urease activity which can be destroyed with heat treatment is a problem in rations containing
urea. Soy hulls have a low density so they are usually pelleted in order to improve control and increase density.
However, nutritional values between loose and pelleted hulls are equal.

In addition, numerous ingredients and preservatives are now added to fish feeds. Earlier, only aquatic raw
materials were utilized in making fish feed. Feeds which are farm-made are commonly fed in dry form and easily
prepared by mixing, pelletizing, and air drying. Moist feeds are not usually used for milkfish. But, these feeds are
unstable and result in low production levels. Formulated milkfish feeds are available as sinking or floating pellets.
Floating pellets are more expensive than sinking pellets but allow for easy monitoring of feed consumption.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), fish nutritional needs vary by
species.  Herbivorous fish eat a feed mixture that may contain plant proteins, vegetable oils, minerals, and vitamins. 
In the wild, carnivorous fish such as salmon eat other fish.  Therefore, feeds for farmed fish include fish oils and
proteins as well as plant proteins, minerals, and vitamins that achieve the nutrition requirements of the fish and offer
health benefits to humans.  Traditionally, diets for carnivorous fish contained 30-50% fish meal and oil, however,
continued research is leading to greatly reduced reliance on these ingredients.

Milkfish is the only member of the family Chanidae. Moreover, the credit associated with the presently accepted
scientific name of milkfish belongs to Petrus Forskal, who initially described it as a type of mullet and therefore
named it Mugil chanos in 1775. At least 400 years ago in the Philippines, pond culture of the milkfish began. As a
widely eaten and cultivated fish, it is well-known to people in many countries. Despite its culture, milkfish remains
one of the least well known and understood of the major finfish species. Milkfish or “Bangus” is the chief
aquaculture produce and most popular seafood dish of our country. It can endure the confined fresh or brackish
water fish pens and marine cages.

Duckweeds are the representatives of the family Lemnaceae are the smallest flowering plants.  They are a
distinct group of monocotyledonous plants.  Not in without reason they are called the most mysterious of the
flowering plants on the Earth. Common duckweed is a very small light green free-floating, seed bearing plant. It has
1 to 3 leaves. These tend to grow in dense colonies in quiet water, undisturbed by wave action. Moreover,
duckweeds can be aggressive invaders of ponds and are often found mixed in with mosquito fern or watermeal. If
colonies aren’t controlled before they cover the entire surface of the pond, then oxygen depletions and fish kills can
occur. These colonies will also eliminate submerged plants by blocking sunlight penetration.
Related Studies

A study conducted by Vanessa A. Siena entitled Processing of Kangkong Ipomoea aquatica and Fish Innards as
Aqua Feeds for Catfish Clarias garriepinus Fry.
She found out the Kangkong and Fish Innards feeds contain proteins that were important in fast growth of catfish
fry. The Kangkong and Fish innards were excellent source of protein and also cheap. So it could help the people
who seek ways to reduce the cost of culturing catfish fry. And also this product could be an alternative way to
improve the culturing of catfish for the prepared meal could be a food source of catfish up to two months old.

Her study used the Completely Randomized Design (CRD) to get the precise results for the study. There were
three treatments made which contains 80 grams of Kangkong, 80 grams’ fish innards and 10 ml of cooking oil.
Treatment 2 contains 100 grams of Kangkong, 60 grams’ fish innards and 10 ml of cooking oil. Treatment 3
contains 60 grams of Kangkong, 100 grams’ fish innards and 10 ml of cooking oil. Several steps were followed in
the preparation of the Kangkong and fish innards, and the gathering and collecting of the weight of the catfish fry
after feeding once a week with the product.

The results (weight and length of catfish fry) were subjected to statistical analysis using different statistical
tools. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed that there was no significant difference that existed between the three
treatments because the Fcal=0.61 is less than the Ftab which is 5.14. In T-test, there was no significant difference
between the Kangkong and Fish innards feeds and the Commercial feeds since the Tcal=4.15 is greater than the T-
tab which was 2.132. The ANOVA results in the increase in length showed that there was a significant difference
that existed between the three treatments because the Fcal-7.31 is greater than the Ftab which is 5.14. In T-test
results, there was no significant difference between the Kangong and Fish innards feeds and the Commercial feeds
since the Tcal-4.15 is greater than the T-tab which is 2.132. Therefore, Kangkong and Fish Innards as aqua feds
were comparable with the commercial aqua feeds for Catfish fry in terms of weight and length.

Based from the findings, it was concluded that experimental treatment 3 consisting of 60 grams of Kangkong,
100 grams of fish innards and 10 ml of cooking oil were the best proportion in making aqua feeds for catfish fry in
terms of weight and length.
 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This chapter of the study will provide the information concerning the study, the materials that will be used in
conducting the study, the methods and procedures that will be done to determine the potentiality of Soybean hulls as
Fish feeds for Milkfish fingerlings.

Research Design

The researchers will use the Complete Randomized Design (CRD) as the experimental design of the study in
order to determine the potency Soybean hulls as Fish feeds for Milkfish fingerlings. This will be utilized in order to
determine the cause of change within the treatments.

Treatments

Table 3.1 The different treatments of the Soybean hulls as Fish feeds for Milkfish fingerlings.

Soybean Hulls Duckweeds Flour Salt Water

(Independent (Constant (Constant (Extraneous (Extraneous
Treatments
Variable) Variable) Variable) Variable) Variable)
(g) (g) (g) (g) (mL)

T0 (Control Variable) – Commercial Fish feeds

T1 100 10 55 6 120

T2 125 10 55 6 145

T3 150 10 55 6 170

Variables / Materials

The independent variable that will be used in the study was the Soybean Glycine max hull. The dependent
variable will be the fish feeds for Milkfish Chanos chanos fingerlings. In addition, the controlled variable that will
be used was the commercial fish feeds for Milkfish fingerlings while the extraneous variable will be water and the
constant variables will be the duckweeds, flour and salt.
 The materials that it will be used in the study are weighing scale, beaker, 4 aquaria, 2 dual oxygen pump
alongside 4 tank filters.

Narrative Procedures

PHASE I

Gathering of Materials

The researchers will purchase five hundred (500) grams of Soybean hulls from a taho vendor at Barangay
Cayanga, San Fabian, Pangasinan for the different treatments wherein a portion of one hundred twenty (120) grams
will be used for the Protein Analysis. The commercial feeds will be purchased from the R. Visperas Market.
Moreover, the other variables such as the flour and salt will be gathered from the Mangaldan Public Market. The
duckweeds were personally requested from a fish pen owner which was then sundried and powdered through
pounding.

The milkfish fingerlings and duckweeds were requested from a private fish pen at Bonuan, Dagupan,
Pangasinan. On the other hand, the materials to be used in the study came from the researchers’ residences at
Mangaldan.

Protein Analysis

One hundred twenty (120) grams of soybean hulls will be sun dried and be brought to the Regional Labaratory
Standard Testing at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), La Trinidad Benguet subject for protein
analysis.

PHASE II

Preparation of the Independent Variable

The collected soybeans hulls will be sundried for approximately 4 days until the desired dried texture will be
attained. Afterwards, the dried hulls will be brought to the Mangaldan Public Market for grinding to achieve a
pulverized form of the variable which will be later on used in moulding the fish feed pellets.

Formulation of Treatments

There will be four (4) treatments prepared, which will include the controlled treatment. These treatments will
obtain varying amounts of Soybean hulls and water. Treatment 1 will contain 75g and 85mL respectively, Treatment
2 will contain 100g and 110mL respectively, and Treatment 3 will contain 125g and 135mL respectively. All
experimental treatments will comprise 50g of flour, 6g of salt and 10g of duckweeds for its concentration. The 8
milkfish fingerlings will be equally divided into 4 treatments.

Feed Production

Once the treatments are grouped and prepared, it will be moulded separately. Afterwards, the moulds will be air
dried for 2 hours. These will be moulded again and flattened on a surface in order to be cut into smaller pellet
moulds. Lastly, the pellets will be sun dried subsequently for 5-6 hours.

PHASE III

Application of Treatments

The researchers will go to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) at Bonuan, Dagupan,
Pangasinan and will ask for assistance in cultivating the fingerlings, the study will conduct at the researcher’s
residence. The gathered fingerlings will be divided among the 4 treatments wherein there are 2 fingerlings in each
treatment. The researchers will utilize sea water in the aquaria to simulate the natural habitat of the milkfish
fingerlings and will feed these once a day with 3 pellets for each fingerling, every 12 noon as suggested and advised
by a fish cultivator.

Observation

Initial Reading

The milkfish fingerlings will be measured based on their length and weight. These data will be recorded and
grouped according to the treatments in which the fingerlings belong in.

Replication Reading

The milkfish fingerlings will be measured based on their length and weight after every 7 days of feeding and
observing. These data will be recorded and grouped according to the treatments in which the fingerlings belong in.

Final Reading
 The average of the logged final replication readings per treatment will be computed and recorded.

Rating Scale

Table 3.2 Likert Scale.

Scale Descriptions Interpretation

The feeds will last for 29 days and

5 Very Satisfactory
longer

4 The feeds will last for 22-28 Satisfactory

3 The feeds will last for 15-21 days Fairly Satisfactory

2 The feeds will last for 8-14 days Unsatisfactory

1 The feeds will last for 0-7 days Very Unsatisfactory

PHASE IV

Analysis and Interpretation

The data gathered will be computed with the use of One Way Analysis of Variance, Scheffe’s Test and T-test in
order to obtain the result of the weight gain and increase in length of the fingerlings. One Way Analysis of Variance,
Scheffe’s Test and T-test will be the statistical tools to test the significant difference of the varying treatments of fish
feed from Soybean hulls. The data gathered will be analysed and interpreted thoroughly.
Figure 3.1 Experimental Flowchart

PHASE I

Gathering of materials and variables

Protein Analysis of Soybean hulls

PHASE II

Preparation of Soybean Hulls

Formulation of Treatments
Feed Production: Mixing, Air Drying,
Moulding and Sun Drying
PHASE III

Application of Treatments
Observations: Initial and Final Reading of
Fingerlings in terms of:
a. Increase in Length
b. Weight
PHASEGain
IV

Statistical Analysis and Interpretation of

Data
Conclusion and Recommendations