Effect of dietary L-ascorbic acid and L-leucine and their combination on growth performance, survival and feed utilisation in Labeo catla fingerlings

Asif I. Bhadarka; Sajid. I. Yusufzai; Nidhi V. Rathod; Hitanshi S. Rathod; Afrith Muniyasamy

doi:10.17017/j.fish.1338

Asif I. Bhadarka College of Fisheries Science, Kamdhenu University, Veraval 362265, Gujarat, India
Sajid. I. Yusufzai College of Fisheries Science, Kamdhenu University, Himmatnagar 383010, Gujarat, India
Nidhi V. Rathod College of Fisheries Science, Kamdhenu University, Veraval 362265, Gujarat, India
Hitanshi S. Rathod College of Fisheries Science, Kamdhenu University, Veraval 362265, Gujarat, India
Afrith Muniyasamy College of Fisheries Science, Kamdhenu University, Veraval 362265, Gujarat, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17017/j.fish.1338

Keywords: feed utilization, growth performance, Labeo catla, L-ascorbic acid, L-leucine

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out for a period of 75 days to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of L-ascorbic acid and L-leucine on growth performance and feed utilisation in Labeo catla fingerlings. A total of nine experimental diets were formulated with different levels of L-leucine and L-ascorbic acid, including a control (T₀) without supplementation. The treatments consisted of T₁ (10 g L-leucine), T₂ (15 g L-leucine), T₃ (0.3 g L-ascorbic acid), T₄ (0.4 g L-ascorbic acid), T₅ (0.3 g L-ascorbic acid + 10 g L-leucine), T₆ (0.4 g L-ascorbic acid + 10 g L-leucine), T₇ (0.3 g L-ascorbic acid + 15 g L-leucine) and T₈ (0.4 g L ascorbic acid + 15 g L-leucine). The results indicated significant improvement in the highest final weight (3.86±0.38 g), specific growth rate (1.95±0.10% day^–1), and protein efficiency ratio (1.74±0.08), along with the lowest feed conversion ratio (1.93±0.09) in T₆. The combination of 0.4 g L-ascorbic acid and 10 g L-leucine (T₆) was found to be the most effective and is recommended for enhancing growth and feed utilisation in L. catla fingerlings.

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