Nutrient digestibility studies in Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus) and C. gariepinus (Burchell)

The apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC %) for protein in catfishes, Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus) (16–18 cm; 45–50 g), C. gariepinus (Burchell) (21–22 cm; 60–65 g) and Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) (10–12 cm; 10–15 g) was estimated for nine feedstuffs of plant and animal origin. Fat digestibility was tested for C. batrachus and C. gariepinus, wherein the influence of feeding frequency on protein digestibility was also examined. The digestibility trials were conducted with triplicate groups of 25 fish each in 70‐L polyvinyl indoor flow‐through (1–1.5 L min^?1) circular tanks (water volume=55 L). Fish were fed to satiation daily, at 08:00 and 18:00 hours, and faecal matter was collected through slow siphoning. For studying the effect of feeding frequency, fish were fed the experimental diets at 08:00, 11:00, 14:00 and 17:00 hours. The protein digestibility of the feedstuffs varied significantly within each test species. However, the protein digestibility values for most of the ingredients tested were comparable between the three catfish species. The most efficient utilization of protein in these fishes was noted for soybean meal followed by lab‐prepared fishmeal. The lowest protein digestibility was recorded for rice bran. Similarly, the utilization of fat from the feedstuffs was also significantly different within each of the two species, C. batrachus and C. gariepinus. Fat digestibility of feed ingredients was similar between the two species. With respect to the fat, soybean meal, lab‐prepared fishmeal, full‐fat soybean meal and dried fish were more efficiently utilized, while the lowest fat digestibility was obtained for rice bran. A marked decline in protein utilization was observed in the two species where the feeding frequency was increased from two to four times a day.     

Growth, reproductive performance, muscle and egg composition in grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennes), fed hydrilla or formulated diets with varying protein levels

Growth, reproductive performance, muscle and egg composition were investigated in grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennnes), fed hydrilla or formulated diets with varying protein levels. Five experimental diets, with varying levels (20%, 25%, 30%, 35% and 40%) of crude protein (CP), were used. One of the fish groups was fed hydrilla. Fish (44.1±0.3 cm; 913±9 g) were stocked (20 tank^?1) in outdoor concrete tanks (20 × 10 × 1.5 m) in duplicate, and fed to satiation, twice daily, at 09:00 and 17:00 hours for the experimental duration of 360 days. High (P<0.05) weight gain was recorded in fish fed 30% and 35% CP diets. However, values for gonadosomatic index (GSI), egg diameter, relative fecundity (eggs kg^?1 body weight), fertilizability and hatchability (%) were comparable (P>0.05) in fish at ≥25% of dietary protein intake. Hydrilla‐fed fish exhibited lower (P<0.05) values for the measured parameters. Crude protein content in muscle increased with dietary protein level. Highest (P<0.05) muscle protein was obtained in fish fed 35% CP diet. Muscle fat was comparable (P>0.05) among fish receiving formulated diets. Ash content was not significantly (P>0.05) different among fish of different dietary groups. Moisture content in fish fed formulated diets, with the exception of 20% CP diet, did not vary significantly (P>0.05). Eggs of fish fed formulated diets contained higher CP and fat contents than those of hydrilla‐fed fish. High (P<0.05) moisture content was noted in the eggs of hydrilla‐fed fish. Ctenopharyngodon idella fed formulated diet, with a minimum of 25% CP, showed better reproductive performance than those fed hydrilla.     

Growth response of the siluroid, Heteropneustes fossilis bloch,fed pelleted feed

Growth response and survival of catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis, fed compounded pelleted diet have been studied. It was observed that the fish accepts and thrives well on pelleted feed, with 100% survival. The conversion factor of the feed over a 6-week feeding trial was found to be 1.8, corresponding to gross growth efficiency of 0.56. The study suggests that cost-effective raw materials could be used for compounding nutritive feed for this species.     

Growth Rate, Feed Conversion, and Body Composition of Catla catla, Labeo rohita, and Cirrhinus mrigala Fry Fed Diets of Various Carbohydrate-to-Lipid Ratios

Effects of dietary carbohydrate-to-lipid (CHO : L) ratios on the growth rate, conversion efficiencies, and body composition were studied in the Indian major carp fry Catla catla, Labeo rohita , and Cirrhinus mrigala. Six isonitrogenous (40% crude protein) and isocaloric (3.46 kcal metabolizable energy/g) semi-purified diets, with CHO: L ratios of 0.02, 0.60, 1.54, 3.38, 8.93, and 43.00 were fed to triplicate groups of fish in 70-L flow-through (1.5–2.0 L/min) indoor circular troughs. Fish were fed to apparent satiation (about 10% body weight), 6 d/wk, twice daily at 0800 and 1600 h for 6 wk. Fish growth rates differed significantly (P < 0.05) with CHO: L ratio in the diets. Maximum weight gain (%) and specific growth rate (SGR %) were observed in C. catla and L. rohita fed a diet with 36% carbohydrate and 4% lipid, corresponding to a CHO: L ratio of 8.93. In C. mrigala , highest weight gain (%) and SGR (%) were noted in fish fed 27% carbohydrate and 8% lipid, corresponding to a CHO: L ratio of 3.38. In all the species, fish fed either diet with the lowest (0.02) or the highest (43.00) CHO: L ratio tended to have significantly lower (P < 0.05) growth and conversion efficiencies. Percentage of dry matter and whole-body lipid of fish significantly (P < 0.05) increased as CHO: L ratio decreased. However, whole-body crude protein content of fish significantly (P < 0.05) increased as CHO : L ratio increased. The results of this study indicate that the Indian major carp fry efficiently utilize carbohydrate for energy, and excess dietary lipid resulted in increased lipid accumulation in the body.     

Growth and body composition of rohu (Labeo rohita) fed diets containing oilseed meals: partial or total replacement of fish meal with soybean meal

A 56‐day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate growth, feed utilization and body composition of fingerling rohu, Labeo rohita (4.5 ± 0.2 cm; 2.58 ± 0.04 g), fed five isonitrogenous (350 g kg^?1 crude protein) and isoenergetic (15.7 kJ g^?1 metabolizable energy) diets in which the main protein contributors were: diet I, fish meal (FM); diet II, soybean meal (SBM); diet III, groundnut meal (GNM); diet IV, equal amounts of SBM, GNM and canola meal (CM); diet V, equal amounts of FM, SBM, GNM and CM. Fish were stocked in triplicate groups of 25 fish held in 70 L flow‐through tanks (water volume 55 L) and fed twice daily (0900 and 1700 hrs) to apparent satiation. Fish fed diet I exhibited the highest (P < 0.05) values for live weight gain and specific growth rate (% per day). Feed conversion and protein efficiency ratio were better (P < 0.05) in fish‐fed diets I and II. Fish‐fed diet II exhibited lower (P < 0.05) fat and ash contents in carcass. Based on these findings, a 70‐day trial (Experiment II) was conducted with six diets fed under the same conditions where FM was incrementally replaced with SBM. Fingerling L. rohita (6.7 ± 0.4 cm; 4.07 ± 0.02 g) were used for the study. Crystalline l ‐methionine was added to diets containing more than 250 g kg^?1 SBM. This second study showed no significant (P > 0.05) variation in growth, feed utilization and carcass composition for fish fed the different diets. In conclusion, SBM was more effective than GNM or CM, as FM was replaced in feeds for fingerling L. rohita and could completely replace FM when supplemented with methionine and fortified with minerals under the conditions of this study.     

Influence of Dietary Phytic Acid on the Growth, Conversion Efficiency, and Carcass Composition of Mrigal Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton) Fry

Abstract.— The effects of phytic acid on growth, protein efficiency, feed conversion, and carcass composition of mrigal Cirrhinus mrigala fry (2.5–3.5 cm) reared indoors at 18–22 C in 70-L flow-through (1-1.5 L/min) circular tanks were examined. Fish were fed isonitrogenous (40% crude protein) and isocaloric (4.32 kcal/g) purified test diets in the form of moist cake containing different levels (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5%) of phytic acid (dodecasodiurn salt) at a rate of 4% body weight twice daily (0800 and 1600 h). The highest weight gain (94.87%). specific growth rate (133%). protein efficiency ratio (2.02), and best feed conversion ratio (1.21) were observed in fish fed the control diet containing no phytic acid. Live weight gain and specific growth rate were significantly reduced by dietary phytic acid inclusion above 1%. Dietary inclusion of phytic acid markedly influenced the carcass composition of the fish. Whole body crude protein and fat content declined significantly ( P < 0.05) in fish fed diets containing phytic acid, while percentage of moisture and ash in these fish was significantly ( P ≤ 0.05) higher than fish in control diets.     

Evaluation of digestibility coefficients of some carbohydrate-rich feedstuffs for Indian major carp fingerlings

An evaluation of the apparent dry matter, crude protein, fat, carbohydrate and energy digestibility coefficients in nine raw and two steam-cooked agrobased by-product pelleted feeds (ratio of reference:test ingredient= 70:30) containing 30-32% crude protein, 3.9-4.3 kcal g^?1 energy and 1% chromic oxide was carried out in three species of Indian major carp fingerlings, Catla catla (Hamilton) (length= 4-6cm; weight= 1.5-2.5g), Labeo rohita (Hamilton) (length= 3.9-6.2cm; weight= 1.5-2.7g) and Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton) (length= 4.1-6.0cm; weight= 1.6-2.8g). Each dietary treatment had three replicates of 25 fish each. The experimental trial was conducted in 70-L high-density polyvinyl flow-through (1-1.5 Lmin^?1) indoor circular troughs (water volume= 55 L). Fish were fed to apparent satiation, twice daily at 0800 and 1600 h. Faecal samples were collected by siphoning daily at 0700 and 1500 h. The results indicated that apparent dry matter, nutrient (protein, fat and carbohydrate) and energy digestibility coefficients varied significantly within each test species (P < 0.05) for the feedstuffs tested. However, with few exceptions, digestibility for an individual ingredient varied insignificantly (P > 0.05) among the three fish species. The present study clearly indicated that feedstuffs rich in carbohydrate and energy are effectively utilized by the fish. The variations observed in dry matter, nutrient and energy digestibility coefficients in these species seemed related to the type and nutrient composition of the feedstuffs. Feedstuffs and test diets with higher levels of fibre and ash showed significantly (P < 0.05) low values for dry matter, nutrient and energy digestibility. Steam-cooking of yellow corn and potato significantly (P<0.05) improved the digestibility coefficients. The findings of the present study are important for the development of low-cost balanced rations which incorporate locally available agro-based by-products for the polyculture of the three species of Indian major carp.     

Effect of fish size and temperature on the utilization of different protein sources in two catfish species

Two sets of feeding trial were conducted to determine the effect of size and temperature on the utilization of different protein sources in two catfish species. In both the experiments, the fish were fed to apparent satiation daily at 08.00 and 18.00 hours, and faecal matter collected through slow siphoning. The first experiment was designed to study the effect of fish size on apparent digestibility coefficients for plant and animal proteins in the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822). Three size classes (105–109 g; 780–830 g; 1250– 1300 g) of fish were stocked in triplicate sets of 600‐L plastic pools fitted with a flow‐through system (2 L min^?1). Within each size class, the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) for protein varied significantly with the source and quality of protein used. Soybean meal and fishmeal protein were utilized with greater efficiency, whereas rice bran protein was least digestible. An increase in ADC protein was apparent with increase in fish size for high protein sources such as soybean meal, full‐fat soybean, laboratory‐prepared fishmeal, steam‐cooked brown fishmeal and dried fish. ADC protein for other ingredients decreased with increase in size. In the second experiment, the influence of varying temperature on ADC for protein was determined in the catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) (6–8 g). Triplicate groups of 25 fish were kept at three different ambient temperatures (18, 28 and 38 °C), in 70‐L polyvinyl indoor flow‐through (1–1.5 L min^?1) circular tanks (water volume = 55 L). The trend in utilization of protein from different sources remained similar at the three temperatures. For each ingredient, digestibility values obtained at 18 °C were significantly lower than those obtained at 28 °C and 38 °C. Optimal protein utilization in H. fossilis was measured at 28 °C.     

Growth,feed conversion,body composition and nutrient retention efficiencies in fingerling catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), fed different sources of dietary carbohydrate

Growth, conversion efficiency, body composition, nutrient retention and plasma glucose concentration were evaluated in fingerling catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), (3.25 ± 0.1 g) fed iso-nitrogenous (40% crude protein) and iso-caloric (4.7 kcal g^–1 gross energy) test diets containing different sources of carbohydrates (i.e. glucose, fructose, maltose, sucrose, dextrin, pre-cooked corn-starch or α- cellulose) at the 20% level of inclusion. Each dietary treatment had three replicates of 20 fish each. The growth trial was conducted in 70-L high-density polyvinyl flow-through (1–1.5 L min^–1) indoor circular troughs (water volume = 55 L). The catfish were fed to apparent satiation twice daily at 0800 and 1600 h for 6 days a week over ≈ 8 weeks. No significant (P > 0.05) differences were noted in the growth and feed conversion efficiencies when fish were fed the sucrose, dextrin and corn-starch diets. Similarly, growth and conversion efficiencies were similar (P > 0.05) in fish fed the glucose, fructose and maltose diets. The minimum growth and conversion efficiencies were found in fish fed the α-cellulose diet. Post-feeding glucose or maltose resulted in the maximum increase in plasma glucose, followed by sucrose, dextrin, fructose or corn-starch diets, over the 8-h sampling period. Post-feeding α-cellulose produced a relatively low (P > 0.05) variation in the plasma glucose level. Compared to the initial values, higher values of dry matter, crude protein, lipid and body energy, and lower percentages of ash were recorded in catfish fed different sources of carbohydrate. The maximum protein retention rate was seen in fish fed the dextrin diet, while a higher energy retention rate was observed in fish fed the sucrose-based diet. Dietary α-cellulose produced significantly (P < 0.05) lower values of protein and energy retention in fish. The present study indicates that utilization of complex carbohydrates in catfish is more successful with di- and monosaccharides, while dietary α-cellulose is poorly utilized.     

Thyroid inhibitory,antiperoxidative and hypoglycemic effects of stigmasterol isolated from Butea monosperma

Stigmasterol, isolated from the bark of Butea monosperma was evaluated for its thyroid hormone and glucose regulatory efficacy in mice. Its administration at 2.6 mg/kg/d for 20 days reduced serum triiodothyronine (T₃), thyroxin (T₄) and glucose concentrations as well as the activity of hepatic glucose-6-phophatase (G-6-Pase) with a concomitant increase in insulin indicating its thyroid inhibiting and hypoglycemic properties. A decrease in the hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) and an increase in the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) suggested its antioxidative potential. The highest concentration tested (5.2 mg/kg) evoked pro-oxidative activity.