Abstract

A 12-week feeding trial was performed to evaluate the use of animal and plant protein, in combination with dietary supplement glucosamine (GlcN) an amino sugar and a prominent precursor in the biochemical synthesis of glycosylated proteins and lipids on threatened Asian catfish fry, Clarias batrachus fry (av. wt. 0.23 ± 0.02 to 0.25 ± 0.03g). Six practical feeds (CP 34.27 to 43.52 %, kcal/100g 377.1 to 399, and total fat 1.67 to 6.70%) were formulated on the basis of whole animal or animal-plant combined protein feeds blended with GlcN at 0.5, 5.0 and 10.0%. The six-feeds were prepared by blending with GlcN (F-1, PAG::0:100:0.5; F-2, PAG::0:100:5.0; F-3, PAG::0:100:10.0; F-4, PAG::75:25:0.5; F-5, PAG::75:25:5.0; F-6, PAG::75:25:10.0). The best growth performance was recorded in fish fed F-2 feed among the animal protein group feeding regime (F-1 to F-3) as 0.56±0.04g followed by F-3 (0.46±0.02g) and F-1 (0.38±0.02g). The survival ranged with 60±4.3 to 70±2.4% in animal protein rich diets whereas, the survival range recorded as 50±2.4 to 53±2.4% in plant protein rich diets F-4, F-5 and F-6 in comparison to control feed(F-7) showing 43±1.4% survival. The survival significantly (p<0.05) improved in GlcN supplemented feeds (50±2.4 to 70±2.4%) in comparison to control (43±1.4%). The synergistic growth on supplementing proteins and GlcN showed significant variation (p<0.05) in case of weight gain, FCR, SGR and PER. Results suggests that animal protein feeds were much acceptable than plant protein diets by C. batrachus fry and the dietary supplement amino sugar GlcN showed a significant role in survival and growth of the fish at early stage of life.

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