| This research project investigated an innovative approach to recapture nutrients from post-consumer food waste by converting it into a pelletized fish food for a bench-scale aquaponic system. Two treatments, each with three replicated aquaponic systems, were constructed to determine the effect of using food waste for fish and lettuce production. Food waste pellets had significantly more fat, less mineral content, and similar protein and fiber content compared with commercial fish feed. Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus) had significantly greater specific growth rate (SGR) and food consumption rates on the commercial diet than those on the food waste diet. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) between treatments was similar. Lettuce biomass production was significantly reduced in food waste systems. Palatability of post-consumer food waste seemed to be the most significant factor to overcome.;Key Words: aquaponic, aquaculture, hydroponic, food waste, solid waste, recycling, nutrient recovery, ecological engineering, Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus... |
