EFFECT OF FERMENTED ANNONA MURICATA BARK

MEAL ON THE BLOOD PROFILE OF OREOCHROMIS

NILOTICUS FED AT DIFFERENT INCLUSION LEVELS

BY

EZINWANNE, PRECIOUS OJIKE

20171070981

BEING A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE

DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE
TECHNOLOGY, SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AND
AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY, FEDERAL
UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, OWERRI

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT

FOR THE AWARD OF B. AGRIC TECH. (FISHERIES
AND AQUACULTURE) DEGREE OF THE UNIVERSITY

OCTOBER, 2023

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 DECLARATION

I hereby, declare that this study “Effect of Fermented Annona muricata Bark Meal

on The Blood Profile of Oreochromis Niloticus Fed at Different Inclusion Levels”

is my original work and has not been previously submitted to any other institution

either in part or in full thereof the award of any other Certificate, Diploma, or

Degree.

………………………. ………………….

Ezinwanne, Precious Ojike Date

ii
 CERTIFICATION
This is to certify that the study “Effect of Fermented Annona Muricata Bark Meal

on The Blood Profile of Oreochromis Niloticus Fed at Different Inclusion Levels”

was carried out by Ezinwanne, Precious Ojike, in the department of Fisheries and

Aquaculture Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri is original and

has been examined and accepted for the award of the degree of B. Agric. Tech.

(Fisheries and Aquaculture) of the university.

…………………… .………………..
EZINWANNE, PRECIOUS OJIKE. DATE

............................... …………………
DR. C.N. ANYANWU DATE
(PROJECT SUPERVISOR)

………………….. ………………….
REV. D.C. ADAKA DATE
(HEAD OF DEPARTMENT)

………………….. …………………..
EXTERNAL SUPERVISOR DATE

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 DEDICATION

This research work is dedicated to the glory of God Almighty whose unending

mercies kept me alive throughout the period of my Bachelor Technology Program

(B. Tech), and to those who are willing to go school but have no one to train them

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

No work of art or project is independent of support from others. I remain eternally

grateful to God for preserving my life through thick and thin, forever I will worship
you. My thanks to my supervisor, Dr. C.N. Anyanwu for his guidance and
encouragement throughout my project. I honestly appreciate in no small way the
commitment of the Head of Department, Rev. Dr. G. S. Adaka and my Academic
Adviser, Mr. D.E. Nwaka in guiding me through the academic odyssey.

I also acknowledge in a special way, my lecturers in the department, Prof D.I.

Osuigwe, Prof. D. C. Njoku, Dr Ogueri and many more who contributed in one way
or the other to the success of this work.

Special thanks to my humble self and my ever-supportive guardian Rev Fr A.O.

Odinkalu whose advice, incomparable love, financial support and prayers have kept
me going till date, my mommy Mrs Beatrice Ezinwanne on her unconditional love
and prayers. To my late Father Mr Lawrence Ojike Ezinwanne, your words kept me
going, I owe you a lot.

My undying appreciation to my siblings for your great love and support. My brother
Mr John Ezinwanne, thank you for being ever there for me at all times.

Finally, to my friends and course mates, Golden, Stanley, Nnamdi, Chris, Debora,
Joshua, God bless you all for your support.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE i

DECLARATION ii

CERTIFICATION iii

DEDICATION iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT v

TABLE OF CONTENT vi

LIST OF TABLES viii

LIST OF FIGURES ix

ABSTRACT x

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background of Study 1

1.2 Objectives of Study 2

1.4 Justification 3

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 4

2.1 Haematology 4

2.1.1 Composition of Blood 5

2.1.2 Element of Blood 6
2.1.3 Functions of Blood 10

2.2 Sour Sop (Annona muricata) 13

2.2.1 Growth and Development 14

2.2.2 Habitat 16

2.2.3 Distribution 16

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2.2.4 Cultivation 16

2.2.5 Uses of Annona muricata 17

2.2.6 Proximate Composition of Annona muricata 19

2.3 Taxonomy of Tilapia 21

2.3.1 Physical Characteristics of Tilapia 23

2.3.2 Basic Nutrient Requirement of Fish 23

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS 31

3.1 Study Area 31

3.2 Construction of the Platform 33

3.3 Experimental Design and Layout 33

3.4 Processing of the Annona muricata 21

3.5 Fish Diet Formulation and Processing 35

3.6 Haematological Techniques 35

3.7 Statistical Analysis 36

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 37

4.1 Results 37

4.2 Discussion 42

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 47

5.1 Conclusion 47

5.2 Recommendation 47

References 49

Appendices 57

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Experimental Design and Layout 24

Table 2: Proximate Composition of Experimental Feed 39

Table 3: Haematological Parameters of Fish after Experimental Feeding 40

Table 4: Differential Counting of Leucocytes after Experimental Feeding 41

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 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: A picture of Annona muricata Bark 20

Figure 2: Map of Study Area 32

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 ABSRACT
This study investigates the effects of dietary inclusion of fermented Annona
muricata bark meal on the blood profiles of Oreochromis niloticus, commonly
known as Nile tilapia. 180 Fish were subjected to different inclusion levels of
Annona muricata bark meal (4%, 8%, 12%, and 16%) to assess their responses
compared to a control group (0%). Hematological parameters, including red blood
cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (HB), packed cell volume (PCV), mean cell
hemoglobin (MCH), mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and mean cell
volume (MCV), were examined, as well as differential white blood cell counts,
including neutrophils (NEUT), lymphocytes (LYMP), eosinophils (EOSI),
basophils (BASO), and monocytes (MONO). Results show that most parameters
were within the range, except for RBC (T0, T3 and T4), HB (T0 and T3), PCV (T0
and T3) were lower than the required acceptable limits for Nile tilapia. Lower
inclusion levels (4% and 8%) appear to have milder effects on the blood with
relatively stable parameters. In contrast, higher inclusion levels (12% and 16%) lead
to significant changes in these parameters, suggesting potential hematological stress
and immune responses. Notably, the differential white blood cell counts reveal
variations in neutrophil and lymphocyte percentages across the treatment groups,
suggesting differential immune responses. Annona muricata bark meal has no
negative impact on the health status of Nile tilapia (O. niloticus). Therefore, should
be encouraged also,

Key: Haematology, Oreochromis niloticus, Annona muricata Meal