Influence of orange fleshed sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) peels meal in the diet of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings on the histology of the liver, small intestine and gills
L. E. Igoche, S. O. Musa, K.V. Absalom
L. E. Igoche — University of Jos (Unijos) (igochel@unijos.edu.ng)
S. O. Musa — University of Jos (Unijos)
K.V. Absalom — University of Jos (Unijos)
Abstract
This research assesses the histological changes in the liver, small intestine and gills of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed varying levels of orange fleshed sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) peels meal. Six different diets containing orange fleshed sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) peel inclusion levels of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% were compounded. Histological examinations of the liver, small intestine, and gills were conducted through standard hematoxylin-eosin staining procedures. The findings revealed no histological changes in the small intestine across all the treatment groups, which is an indication that orange fleshed sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) peel does not impair intestinal integrity. The liver, however, had varying levels of histopathological changes with increase in the level of orange fleshed sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) peel inclusion. Mild hepatocellular degeneration with nuclear degeneration and cytoplasmic vacuolations were observed at 60% inclusion, with increased damage at (80% and 100%) levels of inclusion, including focal cellular infiltration and central venous congestion. Low to moderate levels of orange fleshed sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) peel (20% and 40%) did not cause serious damage in the gills, while high concentrations (60%, 80%, and 100%) caused mild lamellar hypertrophy, interlamellar space occlusion, and severe lamellar cell depletion. These findings indicate that orange fleshed sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) peel could be included in the diet of C. gariepinus fingerlings up to 20% without affecting liver, small intestine, or gill health. This research shows the potential for orange fleshed sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) peel as an affordable and sustainable aquaculture feed ingredient at 20% level of inclusion.
Keywords
References
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Publication Info
Published in: Vol. 1, No. 1 (2026)
Pages: 97 - 108
DOI: 10.xxxxx/jjaases.2026.ea4e49bb
License: CC-BY-4.0
This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
Submitted: 7/19/2026
Accepted: 7/19/2026
Published: 9/19/2026
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The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest.