Effect of citric acid and phytase on growth performance and mineralization of Labeo rohita juveniles fed soybean meal based diet

Abstract

Present experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of phytase, citric acid and their interaction on growth, muscle proximate composition and mineralization of whole body and bones in Labeo rohita juveniles. For this trial, 405 juveniles were used in a 32 factorial arrangement (0, 1.5 and 3% citric acid and 0, 750 and 1000 FTU/kg phytase) under completely randomized design. Triplicate groups of 15 fish per experimental units were fed experimental diets for 8 weeks. Fish fed citric acid and phytase supplemented diet showed improved (p<0.05) growth and body proximate of L. rohita either supplemented individually or mutually. Citric acid addition caused a significant (p<0.05) increment in the minerals deposition in the whole body and bones of juveniles. Similarly, phytase supplementation also improved (p<0.05) the mineralization in juveniles. Furthermore, a significant (p<0.05) interaction between both the supplements was observed to improve the minerals contents in the body and bones of fish. On the basis of these results, it is concluded that citric acid and phytase are very effective supplements to increase the bioavailability of minerals from soybean meal based diet.