A Chemical Analysis of Phosphorus-Rich Digestate from Protein-Rich Food Waste for Use as A Nutrient Additive in Red Tilapia Feed

Siti Umey Syahirah Mat Nawang; Rafidah Selaman; Mercy Marcella Moses Philippinus; Nurul Atiqah Saini; Dayangku Nur Asyiqin Awangku Ibrahim; Mohammed Noorfaiz Yusof

Authors

Siti Umey Syahirah Mat Nawang Faculty of Plantation and Agrotechnology, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sabah Branch, Locked Bag 71, 88997, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Rafidah Selaman Faculty of Applied Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sabah Branch, Locked Bag 71, 88997, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Mercy Marcella Moses Philippinus Faculty of Applied Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sabah Branch, Locked Bag 71, 88997, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Nurul Atiqah Saini Faculty of Applied Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sabah Branch, Locked Bag 71, 88997, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Dayangku Nur Asyiqin Awangku Ibrahim Faculty of Applied Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sabah Branch, Locked Bag 71, 88997, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Mohammed Noorfaiz Yusof Korporasi Kemajuan Perikanan dan Nelayan Sabah (KO-NELAYAN), Locked Bag 150, 88994, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Keywords:

Phosphorus recovery, anaerobic digestion, sustainable aquafeed, red tilapia, nutrient recycling

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) is a critical nutrient for fish growth, skeletal mineralization, and energy metabolism, yet aquaculture remains heavily dependent on imported inorganic phosphate, a finite and geopolitically sensitive resource. This study evaluated phosphorus recovered from protein-rich food waste (PRFW) through anaerobic digestion (AD) as a dietary supplement for juvenile red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). A 15-day pilot feeding trial was conducted using 135 fish (15 per tank; triplicate tanks per treatment) fed diets containing 0%, 0.5%, and 1.0% PRFW-derived phosphorus. Growth performance, survival, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and swimming speed were assessed. Fish fed the 1.0% PRFW diet recorded the greatest weight gain (234.74%) and most efficient FCR (0.68), while the 0.5% group showed the highest survival (97.78%). Although differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05), consistent upward trends demonstrated that PRFW-derived phosphorus was bioavailable and supported growth and behavioral stability. These preliminary findings indicate that phosphorus recovered from food waste may partially substitute inorganic phosphates in tilapia diets, contributing to nutrient recycling and circular economy goals. Further long-term and large-scale validation is required to confirm its bioavailability, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability potential in commercial aquaculture. By aligning with Malaysia’s National Agro-Food Policy 2021–2030 (NAFP 2.0) and global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this approach offers both environmental and economic benefits, highlighting its potential as a scalable solution for sustainable aquaculture.