Body composition, growth performance and enzyme activities of Labeo rohita fed different commercial fish feeds

Composição corporal, desempenho de crescimento e atividades enzimáticas de diferentes alimentos para peixes comerciais alimentados por Labeo rohita

Abstract

We have evaluated the effects of different fish feeds on the body composition, growth, and enzyme activities of Labeo rohita (Rohu). In total, 240 fishes between the average weights of 24.77±2.15g were studied. The treatments were applied in a completely randomized design, with 4 treatments of 60 fishes each. Treatments consisted of four different fish feeds [Oryza (T1), AMG (T2), Aqua (T3), and Supreme (T4)]. Body composition, growth performance, and enzyme activities were evaluated. There was a significant variation in performance of fishes fed with different type of feed; as fishes having Oryza feed showed the highest weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), and best feed conversion ratio (FCR) as compared to other groups that were considered to be significant (P ≤ 0.05). High net weight gain was obtained in T4 when compared with T2 and T3. FCR value of T4 was less than T1 but higher than T2, T3 and T2, which showed the lowest values. The specific growth rate was recorded as average in T4, but T2 led a high SGR than T3. Similarly, crude protein level and digestive enzymes activity was recorded significantly highest in fed with Oryza (T1) as compared to AMG (T2), Aqua (T3), and Supreme (T4). Water quality parameters were recorded significant in all treatments except pH and DO of treatment (T1), significantly different from other treatments. It was concluded that Rohu (Labeo rohita) could show a promising growth rate and protease enzyme activity when fed with the Oryza feed of 25% protein.

Keywords:  commercial fish feeds; growth; body composition; enzyme activity; Rohu

Resumo

Avaliamos os efeitos de diferentes alimentos para peixes em relação à composição corporal, crescimento e atividades enzimáticas de Labeo rohita (Rohu). No total, foram estudados 240 peixes com pesos médios de 24,77 ± 2,15 g. Os tratamentos foram aplicados em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos de 60 peixes cada. Os tratamentos consistiram em quatro alimentos diferentes para peixes: Oryza (T1), AMG (T2), Aqua (T3) e Supreme (T4). Foram avaliados a composição corporal, o desempenho de crescimento e as atividades enzimáticas. Houve uma variação significativa no desempenho dos peixes alimentados com diferentes tipos de ração. Peixes com alimentação Oryza apresentaram maior ganho de peso, taxa de crescimento específico (SGR) e melhor taxa de conversão alimentar (FCR) em comparação com outros grupos que foram considerados significativos (P ≤ 0,05). Elevado ganho de peso líquido foi obtido em T4 quando comparado com T2 e T3. O valor da FCR de T4 foi menor que T1, mas maior que T2 e T3, que apresentaram os menores valores. A taxa de crescimento específico foi registrada como média em T4, mas T2 teve uma SGR alta do que T3. Da mesma forma, o nível de proteína bruta e a atividade das enzimas digestivas foram registrados significativamente mais altos nos peixes alimentados com Oryza (T1) em comparação com AMG (T2), Aqua (T3) e Supreme (T4). Os parâmetros de qualidade da água foram registrados como significativos em todos os tratamentos, exceto pH e OD do tratamento (T1), significativamente diferente dos demais tratamentos. Concluiu-se que Rohu (Labeo rohita) pode apresentar uma taxa de crescimento promissora e atividade da enzima protease quando alimentado com Oryza de 25% de proteína.

Palavras-chave:  alimentos para peixes comerciais; crescimento; composição do corpo; atividade enzimática; Rohu

1. Introduction

Aquaculture is a system that produces various aquatic species for human utilization (FAO, 2009; Batool et al., 2018; Iqbal et al., 2020; Rahman et al., 2020). Aquaculture is mainly divided into extensive and intensive types based on water quality and feed inputs (Ray et al., 2021; Jewel et al., 2020). The yield of a comprehensive system is meagre due to a lack of knowledge, required facilities, poor water quality and its management, and not exploring the locally available cheap feed ingredients (Atique et al., 2020a; Bae et al., 2020). However, intensive aquaculture applies the latest pond structure technologies, feeding, stocking density, etc., for the high yield of aquatic organisms (Haider et al., 2018; Iqbal et al., 2020a, b). This system is progressing day by day all around the world (Ackefors et al., 1994). Aquaculture yield showed a remarkable increase during the last few years. For the continuous progress of aquaculture, nutrition and feeding of fish are essential factors. That’s why it is necessary to maintain the feed and fertilizer resources to better aquaculture progress (Hasan, 2001; Ahmad et al., 2020; Khan et al., 2018).

Protein is the major component in the fish flesh, that’s why protein is the main component of the fish diet. Dietary protein conversion into tissue protein is a significant component in the fish culturing system (Webster and Lim, 2002; Hayat et al., 2020b). Protein plays a pivotal role in the proper functioning, growth, and makeover of new body protein. The price of feed depends upon the percentage of protein in fish feed. Feed proved to be economical if all protein present in feed converted to body protein and the small portion used in catabolism (Gauquelin et al., 2007).

The strengthening of fish culture is driving the way towards the utilization of artificial feeds. Crude protein is the most expensive part of the feed and vital in fish's growth progress (Luo et al., 2004). The reduction in feed price plays a crucial role in the advancement of aquaculture. Fish requires a high protein level in feed for optimum growth performance (Deng et al., 2006). The importance of quality and quantity of feed is vital because it greatly influences the growth rate, survival, water, and fish production. Therefore, substantial struggles are required to regulate the quality and quantity of crude protein to maintain a high yield of fish (Das et al., 1991). Sound quality is a significant factor in the utilization of feed.

The criteria for the selection of artificial feed are (1) acceptability to fish, (2) effectiveness in promoting fish growth (3) degree of cheapness and availability of food. Determination of body composition through proximate analysis is essential to determine the optimum protein level and all other components in the fish feed (Waterman, 2000; Haider et al., 2016, 2021). In fish culture, the effectiveness of feed-in increasing fish growth does not rely only on the nutrients in the feed. Still, it is also greatly influenced by animal digestion and nutrients absorption present in feed. The utilization of all nutrients in fish relies on digestive enzymes' activity (Areekijseree et al., 2004; Iqbal et al., 2020b; Mehboob et al., 2017). The developmental stage of fish mainly affects fish's digestive enzyme activity (Falcón-Hidalgo et al., 2011; Hayat et al., 2020a). This helps formulate feed with balanced nutrients proving cost-effective (Tengjaroenkul et al., 2000). The gut is the first organ of fish where feed processes and different enzymes like acid protease (stomach), amylases (intestine) lipases, and alkaline proteases are secreted (Bakke et al., 2010). Enzyme activity is influenced by dietary protein levels (Buddington and Krogdahl, 2004). A slight alteration can optimize feed formulation in the enzymatic profile and concentration (Lundstedt et al., 2004; Iqbal et al., 2020b). So, it was necessary to evaluate different artificial feeds produced by various commercial aquafeed units in the country and their effect on growth parameters, proximate and intestinal enzymatic activities of rohu (Labeo rohita).

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Study area

This study was directed in glass aquaria in the fish hatchery at the Department of Fisheries & Aquaculture, UVAS (University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences), Ravi Campus, Pattoki. Pattoki is a city in the District Kasur, Punjab, Pakistan. It is situated at 31°1'0 N 73°50'60 E with an altitude (186m). The wind range at the north is 3 km/h, and the temperature remains at the range of 24.3 °C.

2.2. Experimental design

The experiment was performed in eight glass aquaria having dimensions (L=50.8cm, W=25.4cm, and H=45.7cm) with a capacity of 50 L. A group of 240 fish of Labeo rohita (rohu) having an average weight (24.77 ± 2.15g) was stocked in each aquarium. The fish was fed on commercially available feeds two times a day at 3% feed of fish wet body weight. Treatment design wasT₁ (Oryza Organics Pvt. Limited), T₂ (AMG Feed Pvt. Limited), T₃ (Aqua Feed Pvt. Limited), and T₄ (Supreme Feed Pvt. Limited). Fish were taken on the basis of a complete randomized block design for further analysis in the laboratory. Physicochemical parameters were also measured on a weekly basis, following APHA (1998).

2.3. Growth performance and analysis

At the end of the feeding, the trial fish was weighed for calculation of percentage weight gain. A standard formula was calculated for the percentage weight gain, SGR% (specific growth rate), and FCR (feed conversion ratio).

Net weight gain = Average final weight (g) - Average initial weight (g) (1)

$\text{Weight gain}\left(\text{\%}\right)=\frac{\left[\text{Final weight}\left(\text{g}\right)-\text{Initial weight}\left(\text{g}\right)\right]}{\text{Initial weight}\left(\text{g}\right)}\times 100$ (2)

$\text{Specific growth rate}\left(\text{SGR\%}\right)=\frac{\left[\begin{array}{l}\text{In}\left(\text{Final wet body weight}\right)-\\ \text{In}\left(\text{Initial wet body weight}\right)\end{array}\right]}{\text{Number of days}}\times 100$ (3)

$\text{Feed conversion ratio}=\frac{\text{Feed Intake}\left(\text{g}\right)}{\text{Weight gain}\left(\text{g}\right)}$ (4)

2.4. Proximate analysis

After taking weight and length, fish samples were sacrificed by dipping in a water and clove oil solution. The samples were dried up for 24hours in a hot air oven at 70 ˚C and grounded to make powder form. Kept in the refrigerator for further chemical analysis (crude protein %, crude fat %, dry matter %, and ash content) by the methods of AOAC, (2006). Standard formulas were followed to calculate the Dry matter%, Ash contents, Crude Protein and Crude fat. NFE (Nitrogen free extract) was estimated according to the subtraction method (Table 1). According to AOAC (2006), dry matter % was measured using the following mathematical formula:

Table 1
Proximate analysis of experimental diets.

Experimental Diets	DM (%)	M (%)	CP (%)	CF (%)	CBF (%)	Ash (%)
Oryza	92.2	7.8	25.20	3.12	9.45	20.2
AMG	93.1	6.9	22.20	4.44	8.38	23.6
Aqua	91.7	8.3	24.23	6.63	6.97	27.8
Supreme	94.8	5.2	22.40	4.44	8.38	25.8

• DM = Dry Matter; M = Moisture; CP = Crude Protein; CF = Crude Fat; CFB = Crude Fiber.

$\text{Dry Matter}\left(\text{\%}\right)=\frac{\text{Dry weight of Ether Extract}}{\text{Wet weight of sample}}\times 100$ (5)

1g of the sample was taken in pre-weighed crucible (W1, W_2, and W3₃) and kept at 550 ˚C for 4 to 6 hours. Then crucible was again held in a hot air oven, maintaining the temperature at 550 ˚C for 4 to 6 hours (AOAC 2006). The following formula was used to calculate the ash content.

$\text{Ash Contents}=\frac{\text{Difference in weight of ash}}{\text{Weight of sample}}\times 100$ (6)

Differences in weight of ash content = W_{3 –} W₁

According to AOAC (2006), the Kjeldahl method was used to analyze the crude protein sample. 8g of digestion mixture (CuSO₄ and K₂SO₄) and 20 ml of concentrated H₂SO₄ were added to the sample to digest the sample. After dilution, the sample was distilled using 10ml of 0.5g sodium hydroxide and Ammonium hydroxide containing 20ml of 4% of a boric acid solution. Finally, the titration of the sample was done with N/10 H₂SO_4, and reading was noted.

$\text{NH}3=\frac{\text{Volume of H}2\text{SO}4\frac{\text{N}}{10}\times 0.00014\times \text{Volumeof diluted sample}}{\text{Volume of sample}\times \text{Dilute sample quantity}}\times 100$ (7)

$\text{N}\left(\text{\%}\right)=\frac{\left(\text{S}-\text{B}\right)\times 0.014\times \text{D}\times 100}{\text{Weight of Sample}}\times \text{V}$

$$CP\%=6.25\times \%N$$

Where,

N= Normality of HCL, S= Sample titration reading, D= Dilution of a sample after digestion, B= Blank titration reading, V= Volume taken for distillation, 0.014= Milli equivalent weight of Nitrogen

By following the AOAC (2006) Soxhlet extraction apparatus, it was used to calculate fat contents %. The following formula was used to calculate the crude fat %:

$\text{Crude fat}\left(\text{\%}\right)=\frac{\text{Weight of Ether Extract}}{\text{Weight of sample}}\times 100$ (8)

2.5. Digestive enzyme assay

2.5.1. Sample preparation for assay of enzymes

5-7 fish samples were taken randomly from each treatment, degutted, the intestine was removed, and mixed well in Tris HCl and homogenized at 6000rpm for 15min, and supernatant was removed (Bernfeld, 1955). 1 mL supernatant was incubated at 37 °C after the addition of 2mL starch phosphate buffer. After adding, 3mL of DNS solution sample was again incubated and enzyme amylase was measured at an optical density of 540. Lipase activity was checked by protocols (Cherry and Crandell Junior, 1932). Fatty acids were estimated to maintain pH. The reaction mixture including distilled water, tissue homogenate, olive oil emulsion, and phosphate buffer solution containing pH 7 was well homogenated and kept at 4 °C for 24 hrs. Further titration was done using Phenolphthalein indicator (2-3 drops) and alcohol (95%). The activity of the enzyme was measured by the amount of alkali consumed. Protease activity was evaluated by using one percent azocasein in fifty mmol in tris HCl and pH was maintained at 7.5 (Garcia-Carreno, 1992).

2.6. Statistical analysis

The impact of four commercial fish feed on growth, proximate composition, and enzymatic activities were analyzed through a one-way ANOVA technique. The General Linear Model procedure was applied by SAS software (version 9.1). Means of Significant treatment were isolated through DMRT (Duncan’s Multiple Range Test). Data were represented as mean ± standard errors, and the following mathematical model was employed:

$$Y_{ij}=\mu +{\tau }_i+{ϵ}_{ij}$$ (9)

Where,

Y_ij = Observation of dependent variable recorded on i^th treatment

µ = Population mean

τ_i = Effect of i^th treatment (i = 1, 2, 3, 4)

ϵ_ij = Residual effect of j^th observation on i^th treatment NID ~ 0, σ²

3. Results

3.1. Growth parameters

The results of all the growth parameters are presented in Table 2. The initial weight of stocking fish (Labeo rohita) showed non-significant. The treatment T1 (38.20 ± 0.07) displayed the highest weight gain significantly as compared to all other treatments T2 (34.60 ± 0.01), T3 (33.95 ± 0.26), and T4 (36.57 ± 0.15). Treatment T4 (36.57 ± 0.15) showed significantly higher weight gain when compared to T2 and T3. Treatment T1 (14.00 ± 0.03) showed the highest net weight gain as compared to other treatments T2 (9.82 ± 0.42), T3 (9.89 ± 0.29), and T4 (36.57 ± 0.15). T4 (11.85 ± 0.09) showed significantly high net weight gain when it compared T2 and T3. Net weight gain of T2 (9.82 ± 0.42) and T3 (9.89 ± 0.29) were non-significant. Treatment T1 (57.86 ± 0.36) showed the highest percentage weight gain significantly as compared to the other three treatments T2 (40.17 ± 2.43), T3 (41.15 ± 1.24), and T4 (47.94 ± 0.23). Treatment T4 showed the highest percentage weight gain significantly as compared to T2 and T3. Treatment T2 (40.17 ± 2.43) and treatment T3 (41.15 ± 1.24) were non-significant in percent weight gain. FCR was recorded significantly in T1 (1.06 ± 0.04) compared to T3 (1.34 ± 0.03). In treatment T4 (1.20 ± 0.002), FCR was exceptionally higher than T2 (1.40 ± 0.01). The lowest value of FCR was recorded in T1 (1.06 ± 0.04), which is best. The highest SGR value (specific growth rate) was observed in T1 (0.50 ± 0.02) and significantly different from other treatments. The low-value SGR (specific growth rate) was observed in T2 (0.37 ± 0.13), and T3 (0.35±0.067361). In treatment T4 the value-specific growth rate (0.43 ± 0.01) was observed average as compared to other treatments shown in Table 2.

Table 2
Growth parameters of rohu (Labeo rohita) among different treatments.

Treatments	T1	T2	T3	T4	P-value
Initial Weight (g)	24.77±0.44	24.20±0.10	24.05±0.03	24.72±0.06	NS
Final Weight (g)	38.20±0.07a	34.60±0.01c	33.95±0.26c	36.57±0.15b	*
Net weight gain (g)	14.00±0.03a	9.82±0.42c	9.89±0.29c	11.85±0.09b	**
Weight gain (%)	57.86±0.36a	40.17±2.43c	41.15±1.24c	47.94±0.23b	**
FCR	1.06±0.04a	1.40±0.01c	1.34±0.03a	1.20±0.002b	*
SGR (%)	0.50±0.02a	0.37±0.13c	0.35±0.07c	0.43±0.01ab	*

• Different superscript within row differ significantly, NS = Non-significant,
• ^*
  = P≤0.01;
• ^**
  = P≤0.001.

3.2. Body composition

The results on fish proximate composition analysis are presented in Table 3. The values of dry matter% were observed non-significant (p>0.05) in each treatment and pretreated fish. The maximum value of crude protein was observed in T1 (17.47 ± 0.27) that was significantly different from initial and other treatment values. The values for crude protein% in all other treatments were non-significant. The values of crude fat were observed highest in T2 (4.02 ± 0.04) and T3 (3.86 ± 0.08), respectively, and significantly different from all other treatments. In treatment T4 value of crude fat significantly (3.13 ± 0.12) higher than treatment T1 and Initial value. In T1, crude fat value (3.60 ± 0.11) was significantly different from the initial value. The highest ash value was observed in the initial fish (4.80 ± 0.25) significantly different from all other treatments. The value of ash in treatment T4 (3.82 ± 0.14) was recorded as high compared to other treatments. Among treatment T2 (3.15 ± 0.32) and T3 (3.27 ± 0.12), values of ash, respectively, were found non-significant. The lowest value of ash (2.79 ± 0.14) was observed in treatment T1 and significantly differed from other treatments. The value of nitrogen-free extract was observed highest in T3 (2.34 ± 0.05) and T4 (2.78 ± 0.36) significantly different from other therapies. In initial fish (2.13 ± 0.11) and treatment T1 (1.63 ± 0.20) value of nitrogen-free extract respectively was the same; however, significantly different from treatment T2 (2.25 ± 0.28).

Table 3
Proximate composition of rohu (Labeo rohita) fed with four different commercial diets.

Treatments	Initial	T1	T2	T3	T4	P-value
Dry matter %	23.02±0.02a	25.50±0.035a	25.50±0.04a	25.97±0.10a	26.23±0.16a	**
Crude Protein %	13.69±0.30b	17.47±0.27a	16.29±0.10b	16.50±0.25b	16.48±0.06b	***
Crude Fat %	2.40±0.04c	3.60±0.11ab	4.02±0.04a	3.86±0.08a	3.13±0.12b	**
Ash %	4.80±0.25a	2.79±0.14d	3.15±0.32c	3.27±0.12c	3.82±0.14b	**
Nitrogen free Extract	2.13±0.11b	1.63±0.20b	2.25±0.28ab	2.34±0.05a	2.78±0.36a	*

• Different superscript within row differ significantly,
• ^*
  = P≤0.05;
• ^**
  = P≤0.01;
• ^***
  = P≤0.001.

3.3. Enzyme activity

The results of the digestive enzyme activity are represented in Table 4. The amylase activity was observed highest in T1 (14.34 ± 0.06) and significantly different from other treatments. In treatment T2 and T4 values of amylase activity were non-significant (13.27 ± 0.10) (13.11 ± 0.29), however high than T3 (12.26 ± 0.30). Protease activity was also observed highest in treatment T1 (15.09 ± 0.03) compared to other treatments. In treatment T2 (13.21 ± 0.05), protease activity was observed highest compared to T3 and T4. In treatment T3 (10.19 ± 0.32) and T4 (11.75 ± 0.36), protease enzyme activity was observed non-significant. Lipase activity in T1, T2, and T4 is the same; however, significantly higher than T2.

Table 4
Digestive enzyme activity of Labeo rohita fed with four different commercial feeds

Treatments	T1	T2	T3	T4	P-value
Amylase (mg protein)	14.34±0.06a	13.27±0.10b	12.26±0.30c	13.11±0.29b	*
Protease (ml enzyme)	15.09±0.03a	13.21±0.05b	10.19±0.32c	11.75±0.36c	**
Lipase (ml enzyme)	0.82±0.004a	0.77±0.01b	0.80±0.01a	0.80±0.002a	*

• Different superscript within row differ significantly,
• ^*
  = P≤0.01;
• ^**
  = P≤0.001.

Analysis of variance of all the parameters are presented in Table 5.

Table 5
Analysis of Variance of different parameters.

Growth Parameters	F Value	Pr > F
Initial Weight (g)	0.14	0.9356
Final Weight (g)	56.41	< 0.0001
Net weight gain (g)	8.26	0.0006
Weight gain (%)	22.10	< 0.0001
FCR	9.51	0.0003
SGR (%)	5.98	0.0034
Proximate Composition
Dry matter %	57.75	< 0.0001
Crude Protein %	28.78	< 0.0001
Crude Fat %	20.06	< 0.0001
Ash %	2.97	0.0351
Nitrogen free Extract	9.17	< 0.0001
Digestive Enzyme Activity
Amylase (mg protein)	13.27	< 0.0001
Protease (ml enzyme)	29.76	< 0.0001
Lipase (ml enzyme)	6.41	0.0024

4. Discussion

In aquaculture, the main issue is to manage the connection between high growth rate and feed utilization. Fish nutrition is a critical factor in this field because its feed cost is compared with total yield (Craig and Helfrich, 2002). The study was steered to assess the impact of various commercial feeds on growth parameters, proximate composition, and rohu enzyme examination.

In this study, significantly higher growth was found in fingerlings of Labeo rohita in the treatment group T1 (CP=25.20) in the comparison of T2, T3, and T4. Rohu gained a higher weight in treatment T1 (14.00±0.03^a). In treatment T4 the weight gain of rohu fingerling was lower (11.85±0.09^b) than treatment T1. Lesser weight gain was observed in the T2, but is slightly higher than T3. FCR ratio (1.06±0.04^a) was also recorded best in the T1 fingerlings. Simultaneously, a higher FCR (1.40±0.01^c) was recorded in the T2, which is not the best ratio for fish farmers. In SGR, it was recorded significantly higher in fingerlings of treatment T1 (0.50±0.02^a). In contrast, T4 showed higher SGR (0.43±0.01^ab) as compared to treatment T2 and T3. Similarly, T2 Showed higher SGR (0.37±0.13^c) than T3. Overall, T3 showed lesser SGR (0.35±0.07^c). These results correlated with the study of (Ahmed et al. 2012), who investigated the effect of three feeds [T1 (control), T2 (Miracle), and T3 (Tokyo)] with varying levels of proteins. Their study showed the higher weight gain (383.88±1.8) for Labeo rohita fed in T3 (Tokyo) treatment, which was significantly increased. T1 (control) treatment showed lesser weight as compared to T2 (Miracle). FCR value was found to be best in treatment T3 as compared to T1 and T2. Similarly, our findings relate to the results of (Kumar et al. 2011), in which they fed the Labeo rohita on varying levels [T1 (20%), T2 (25%) T3 (30%)] of protein. T2 group showed higher weight gain (183.29^b) and best FCR value (1.43^a) in the fingerlings of Labeo rohita. The SGR rate was also found to be highest (3.21b) in the T2 group compared to other treatment groups. Following the work of Daudpota et al. (2014), the growth performance of the fingerlings of tilapia was found to be significantly fed with the dietary protein level. Varying protein levels (25%, 30%, 35%, and 40%) experimented on tilapia. The tilapia fed on 35% and 40% protein level showed significant (P<0.05) growth performance. Weight gain SGR and FCR of tilapia fed on the 35% and 40% were 470.0±3.2c and 480.0±3.0c, 4.14±0.05c and 4.18±0.05c, 3.32±0.4b and 3.27±0.3b respectively. In the enzymatic activity, the T1 treatment group showed the highest values of enzymes compared to other treatment groups. There were higher amylase values in our investigations; protease and lipase enzymes were 14.34±0.06, 15.09±0.03, and 0.82±0.004 activity in the fingerlings of rohu, respectively. According to the results of (Kumar et al., 2011), protease activity was found to be significantly higher in the fish fed in the treatment group T2 compared to other treatment groups (T3, T1, and T0). The activity of higher in the intestinal portion of the fish body. Our results are in accordance with another study conducted by (Bazaz and Keshavanath, 1993), in which they reported similar results about the enzymatic activity of Catla catla and mahseer species of fish. Dietary levels are found to affect the protease activity of fish bodies in the intestinal segment (Phadate, 1987; Gangadhar et al., 1997). Amylase enzyme and lipase enzyme concentration were high in the rohu treated in the treatment group T1. Gangadhar et al. (1997) intimated the higher lipase enzyme activity in the Labeo rohita fed on the 25% protein level. Similarly, findings were encountered by Nandeesha et al. (1994) in the body of the stunted year of rohu (Labeo rohita).

The increase in the dietary protein level can enhance the protein level in the fish body. In rohu's body composition, the crude protein level is enhanced by increasing the dietary protein level. In our results, T1 treatment groups showed the higher Crude (17.47±0.27^a) protein in the fingerlings of Labeo rohita as compared to other treatment groups T2 (16.29±0.10^b), T3 (16.50±0.25^b), and T4 (16.48±0.06^b). Similarly, the results of (De Borba et al., 2003, Siddiqui and Khan 2009) were in accordance with our experiment results. Their results also evidenced that the increase in the dietary level of protein can enhance the fish's body crude protein level. The lipids content in the diet is the critical source of energy for the fish body. Rohu fed on the highest dietary lipid content showed the most elevated crude lipids in the body. Rohu fed on diet with 4.44% crude fat showed a higher fat content level (16.29±0.10^b %) in the body composition. According to the results of Lin (1997), the crude lipids in the fish body are elevated by the increase in the dietary level of crude fat.

5. Conclusions

It was concluded that the comparison of different commercial fish feeds that the Oryza feed with 25% protein showed significant growth and high protease enzyme activity. This study helps the feeding of fish for farmers in the selection of the best quality feed. Based on this study, it is suggested that Oryza having 25% crude protein feed is best to achieve optimum growth and crude protein level in fish (Labeo rohita). It is recommended that farmers use this feed to get optimum yield without disturbing the physicochemical parameters of water.

Acknowledgements

The authors extend their sincere thanks to the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (Ravi Campus Pattoki), Lahore, Pakistan, to provide financial support to complete the research trial.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  01 Oct 2021
• Date of issue
  2023

History

• Received
  29 Mar 2021
• Accepted
  07 June 2021