Assessment of Schizophyllum commune Treated Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (OPEFB) Incorporated Feed for Red Tilapia, Oreochromis sp.

Abstract

The aquaculture sector, as the fastest-growing protein production sector, faces challenges in sustainable development due to high feed costs. Utilization of local and cost-effective bioresources such as lignocellulosic materials, such as oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB), represent a viable option for the aquaculture sector to provide affordable alternatives to maintain the sector's economic viability and sustainability. However, the primary constraint to the utilizing OPEFB is its chemical composition, mostly composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Although there are a few approaches to the lignin degradation, employing microbes to break down lignin is the least expensive and most ecologically friendly option. The objective of this study is to assess the potential of Schizophyllum commune treated OPEFB as a feed ingredient for tilapia. The goal is to promote the circular economy concept in the palm oil industry while providing a valuable feed resource for aquaculture with implications for sustainable aquaculture practices and resource utilization.