Nutrient digestibility performance by rohu ( Labeo rohita ) juveniles fed acidified and phytase pre-treated sunflower meal-based diet.

The present research work was conducted to investigate the effects of microbial phytase and citric acid supplementations on nutrient digestibility performance by rohu (Labeo rohita) juveniles fed a sunflower meal (SFM)-based diet. The basal diet was supplemented with two levels of phytase (0 and 1000 FTU/kg) and each level of this phytase-supplemented diet was further supplemented with two levels of citric acid (0% and 2%). Chromic oxide (1%), as an inert marker, was added to the diet to determine nutrient digestibility. Results showed that digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and ether extract was significantly (p < .05) enhanced by citric acid supplementation. Similarly, phytase pretreatment also resulted in improved (p <.05) digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and ether extract. Also, citric acid and phytase supplementation improved (p < .05) the digestibility of P, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe. Nevertheless, the addition of both supplements (citric acid and phytase) simultaneously did not produce any interaction for the digestibility of these minerals. Hence, it is concluded that phytase (1000 FTU/kg) and citric acid (2%) supplementation to an SFM meal-based diet improved the nutrient digestibility inL. rohitajuveniles. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]