Efficacy Assessment of Enzyme-enriched Diets for Production Performance and Flesh Quality of Catla catla

Abstract

Aims: Feed-based aquaculture is one of the most dynamic and profitable sectors of global fish production. With the rising application of additives in feed-based aquaculture systems in Bangladesh, a feeding trial was conducted to assess the effects of exogenous enzyme-enriched feeds on the growth, flesh composition, and palatability of an Indian major carp, Catla catla. Study Design: A commercial feed additive (Aquazyme Plus) served as an enzyme source at doses of 0, 2, 4, and 6 g/kg feed to prepare four test feeds designated as four treatments, namely T1 (control), T2, T3, and T4, respectively. The four treatments were organized in a fully randomized design throughout the fixed cages, with three replications for each. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was carried out over three months (from April to June 2021) in 12 cages located in a fish pond at the Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Methodology: Parameters of growth and feed utilization, including weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and survival rate, along with the proximate composition of muscle tissues (e.g., crude protein, lipid, carbohydrate, ash, and moisture content) and palatability properties (e.g., flavor, taste, and texture) of cooked flesh, were assessed using standardized methods and formulas. Results: The findings showed notably greater weight gain (321.83±9.36) and SGR (1.10±0.015) in the fish from T4, followed by those from T3, T2, and T1. The fish in T4 showed the best FCR value (2.11±0.13), in addition to greater flesh protein (17.88±0.34) and lipid (3.21±0.23) content than the other treatments. The sensory evaluation of organoleptic qualities revealed that the muscle tissues from T4 received the highest palatability scores, while the control fish had the lowest scores. Conclusion: The addition of exogenous enzymes to the diets enhances the growth, flesh quality, and palatability of C. catla, with the supplement at 6.0 g/kg feed showing superior outcomes for this fish species.