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An experiment of 90-days was performed to investigate the effects of dietary calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and their interaction on growth, whole-body composition, nutrient digestibility and mineralization of silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (average initial weight 13.7 ± 0.05 g). Nine isonitrogenous, isocaloric and isolipidic diets with three Ca levels (0, 1 and 2%) combined with three P levels (0, 1 and 2% P) were prepared. Results showed that silver carp fed the diet supplemented with 1% Ca and 1% P level yielded the similar (p > 0.05) growth performance as was recorded for that fed diet containing 2% Ca and 2% P. No significant difference in survival rate was recorded except for the diet containing 1% Ca with 2% P supplement. The feed intake (FI) of juvenile remained unaffected (p > 0.05) by mineral supplementation. Whole body protein content increased (p < 0.05) slightly with Ca and P supplementation. However, moisture, fat and ash contents remained unaffected (p > 0.05). Dietary Ca and P supplementation improved (p < 0.05) the protein and fat digestibility in silver carp. Ca and P contents showed significant increase (p < 0.05) with increasing Ca and P levels in the whole body, bones and scales, achieving the highest (p < 0.05) values at 2% Ca supplemented with 2% P. Whereas, Mg and Zn contents decreased (p < 0.05) with increasing Ca and P supplementation. Fish fed the diet containing 2% Ca level without P supplement had higher (p < 0.05) Ca/P ratio in whole body and bones. However, it decreased (p < 0.05) at 2% Ca level in scales. Further, increase in P supplementation significantly reduced (p < 0.05) Ca/P ratio regardless of Ca level. Conclusively, supplementation of 1% Ca in the presence of 1% P (1:1 ratio) is required for optimum performance of silver carp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An 8-weeks feeding experiment was performed to study the requirement of vitamin E for rohu fingerlings. Six practical diets were fed to fingerlings including one control diet (E0) and five test diets (E25, E50, E75, E100 and E125) supplemented with graded vitamin E levels including 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 mg/kg. After the completion of trial, fish growth, vitamin E, antioxidant enzymes activities and fatty acids profile was determined. From the results it was concluded that the graded supplemental vitamin E levels improve the utilization of feed and fish growth. The antioxidant enzymes activities also showed significant results by increasing vitamin E level in the diet. However, an inverse relation was recorded between the contents of liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and vitamin E level in the diet. Moreover, analysis of fatty acids profile showed decrease in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). While, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were increased in all vitamin E supplemented diets compared to control group. Furthermore, vitamin E level of 80.62 mg/kg was found optimum for maximum growth performance in L. rohita fingerlings, beyond which no increase in growth was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was planned to determine intestinal digestive enzymes activity and bone mineralization of Ctenopharyngodon idella. Four type food were prepared by using formic acid (%) and vitamin D3 (IU/Kg) in experiment viz, FD1, FD2, FD3 and FD4, respectively. Fish fed with formic acid showed considerable increase in calcium, magnesium potassium, however vitamin D3considerably increase iron and manganese contents (µg/g) in the bones of C. idella. Amylase and protease activity was maximum in fish intestine fed with formic acid followed by fornic acid × vitamin D3, vitamin D3 = control diet. Activity of lipase enzyme was reduced by formic acid supplementation as well as vitamin D3. The observed formic acid and vitamin D3 (interactions) were synergistically bone mineralization of phosphorus, sodium, copper and also showed positive result for the activity of amylase, protease and lipase. Finally, formic acid and vitamin D3improves bone mineralization and digestive enzymes activity in the C. idella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of citric acid (CA) treated Moringa oleifera seed meal (MOSM) based diet on mineral absorption, carcass composition and hematological indices in Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings. Basal diet was supplemented with 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% CA resulting in the formulation of six experimental diets. Ten fingerlings were stocked in tanks in triplicate for each treatment. Feed was given at 5% live wet body weight of fingerlings for 90 days. Results showed that diet acidification with CA significantly (p< 0.05) improved the mineral absorption, carcass composition and hematological indices of C. mrigala fingerlings compared to control diet. Data shows that mineral absorption was higher (p=0.05) at medium levels of CA supplementation (2%, 3% or 4% levels) compared to extreme levels (1% and 5%). Maximum body crude protein and crude fat contents were observed in C. mrigala fed 2 % and 3% CA supplemented diets, respectively. Moreover, fingerlings fed CA acidified diets showed significant improvement (p< 0.05) in hematological parameters compared to control diet. Comparison of treatments showed maximum values of RBCs (2.83×106mm-3), WBCs (7.76×10³mm-3), PLT (65.96), Hb (8.47 g/100ml), PCV (24.51 %), and MCV (187.11 fl) in fingerlings fed 3% CA supplemented diet. In conclusion, 3% CA acidified MOSM based diet performed better regarding mineral absorption, carcass composition and hematological indices C. mrigala fingerlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of phytase supplemented soybean meal based diet on mineral digestibility in Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings. The eexperiment involved reference diet and basal diet Reference diet was prepared according to the requirements of C. mrigala. Basal diet was made by replacing 30% reference diet with soybean meal which was used as test ingredient in tliis experiment. Five test diets were formulated by spraying graded levels (0, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 FTU kg-1) of phytase supplementation to soybean meal-based diet. Chromic oxide was added as indigestible marker. Fingerlings were fed at the rate of 5 % of live wet weight of fish. The results showed that the highest digestibility values (%) of most of the minerals such as Ca, P, Na K Fe Cu and Mn were at 1000 FTU kg-1 level, whereas Mg and Zn showed maximum digestibility at 1500FTU kg-1 level Phytase supplementation significantly increased the mineral digestibility of C. mrigala fingerlings at 1000 FTU kg-1 followed by 1500 FTU kg-1 level as compared to reference diet. It was concluded that the phytase supplementation to soybean meal based diet at 1000 FTU kg-1 level is optimum to release sufficient chelated minerals for C mrigala fingerlings. Our findings also suggest that phytase supplementation can help in the development of sustainable aquaculture by reducing the feed cost and mineral's discharge through feces in the aquatic ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytate, present in plant feed ingredients, act as anti-nutritional factor by chelating indispensable minerals and other nutrients making them unavailable to the fish. These undigested nutrients are excreted out causing pollution in the water bodies. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of phytase supplementation on growth performance and minerals digestibility of Labeo rohita fingerlings. Reference diet was made by replacing 30% of reference diet with cottonseed meal as test ingredient. Seven cottonseed meal based test diets were prepared by spraying graded levels of phytase (0, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1250 and 1500 FTU kg-1) to the basal diet. Chromic oxide was included as inert marker in the diets to assess the minerals digestibility. The results of present study showed improved growth and feed performance of fingerlings in response to phytase supplementation. Maximum performance was obtained by the fish fed on test diet-IV having 750 FTU kg-1 phytase level. Similarly, minerals digestibility performance was also positively affected by phytase supplementation. Again, maximum response of minerals absorption was recorded at the phytase level of 750 FTU kg-1 diet. It was concluded that the phytase supplementation to cottonseed meal based diet at 750 FTU kg-1 level is optimum to release adequate chelated minerals for maximum growth performance of L. rohita fingerlings. These results suggest that phytase supplementation to cottonseed meal based diet can help in the development of sustainable aquaculture by reducing the feed cost and minerals discharge through feces in the aquatic ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]