Barse et al., 2004. Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci., 17 (1): 127-130

Lathyrus sativus, locally known as Khesari, is a leguminous pulse crop grown in many parts of the world for food (used by poor people) and animal feed/fodder. Its seeds are rich in protein and energy but contains antinutritional factors of which the most prominent is beta-N-Oxalylamino-L-Alanine (BOAA), a neurotoxin causing lathyrism in humans due to prolonged consumption. Keeping in view the chemical characteristics of this toxin and literary facts on L. sativus feeding in terrestrial animals, it was hypothesized that aquatic species might better utilize this ingredient in mixed extruded diets. Diets were prepared with varying levels (0, 10, 18, 26, and 34%) of L. sativus seeds and fed for 60 days to study growth, body composition, and digestibility of nutrients. Final body weight, specific growth rate, and feed and protein conversion ratio did not differ ( P>0.05) between treatments. Crude protein digestibility was reduced ( P<0.01) beyond the 26% inclusion level of L. sativus. Final carcass composition with regard to protein, lipid, and ash did not differ ( P>0.05) among the treatments. Comparable craniosomatic, viscerosomatic, renosomatic, and hepatic indices and no mortality implied no apparent adverse effect on the vital organs and fish health. It is concluded that L. sativus can be a promising feed ingredient that can be used up to 34% or at a possibly higher level in fingerlings diet. This appears to be the first report of its kind under laboratory conditions.