ISSUE FOCUS 68 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE August 2025 Egypt for 84 days. During the experiment fish exposed to a period characterized by high temperatures and significant environmental stress - ideal conditions for evaluating a heat-sensitive species like tilapia. A total of 234 Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), with an initial average weight of 65.8 grams, were randomly distributed into three treatments each treatment had three fiberglass tanks (1000-liter, RAS system). The three diets were formulated and manufactured in CPC. The fish were fed a commercial pre-growth floating feed (30% crude protein), with corn and soybean meal as primary ingredients. The diet was extruded to ensure uniformity, optimal feed intake and simulation of fish farms. Three feed trials were as follows; I) The basal diet without any additive, II) the same previous diet supplemented with NQ technology at 150 g/ton as a top-up, III) NQ technology at 150 g/ton, using a matrix value (reducing 30 kcal/kg energy and 0.3% crude protein) to evaluate the additive’s cost-offset potential. Water quality parameters were carefully maintained throughout the trial. Temperatures ranged from 27 to 29°C, with dissolved oxygen levels above 5 ppm and concentrations of ammonia and nitrite maintained within safe thresholds. At the end of the 84-day trial, results were striking. Fish in both NQ-treated groups significantly outperformed the control group in terms of final body weight, specific growth rate, and protein efficiency rate. Feed conversion ratio improved noticeably with NQ supplementation, particularly in the top-up group. Survival rate was also higher in the NQ groups, indicating enhanced resilience and reduced mortality during a period of environmental stress. Performance Results Protein Intake Protein Efficiency Rate Specific Growth Rate -3,5% +7% +2,3% +3% -1% -6% +5% NQ on-top NC NQ matrix NC NQ on-top NQ matrix NQ on-top NC NQ matrix NC NQ on-top NQ matrix 70 69 68 67 66 65 64 63 62 2,00 1,95 1,90 1,85 1,80 1,75 1,32 1,31 1,30 1,29 1,28 1,27 1,26 1,25 132 130 128 126 124 122 BWG (g) Performance Results +2% -3,5% -6,5% -6% -5% +7% Final Av. Weight (g) 198 196 194 192 190 188 102 100 98 96 94 92 90 1,85 1,80 1,75 1,70 1,65 1,60 235 230 225 220 215 210 205 Survival (%) NC NQ on-top NQ matrix NC NQ on-top NQ matrix NC NQ on-top NQ matrix NC FI (g) FCR NQ on-top NQ matrix
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