EFFECT OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTARY FEED OF SPIRULINA ON DIGESTIVE ENZYMES IN FINGERLINGS OF COMMON CARP (CYPRINUS CARPIO, L. 1758)

Dr. S. Delhi Bai*

ABSTRACT

Cyprinus carpio (Common carp) fingerlings, measuring 4.66±0.02g by weight and 4.2 ±0.22mm by length, procured from local fish ponds were brought to the laboratory and acclimatized to the laboratory conditions (12 hr: 12 hr L/D regime, continuous aeration, periodical exchange of non-chlorinated and non-polluted water) for a week. During acclimatization the fingerlings were fed on commercially available fish feed. The fingerlings were divided into four groups of ten each. Fish in group-1 (Control diet-1) are fed with feed containing rice bran, ground nut oil cake, soybean cake and fish meal (control diet-1). Fish in group-2 (Experimental diet-1) are fed with feed containing control diet-1+Spirulina (herbal feed). Fish in group-3 (control diet-2) are fed with feed containing rice bran, ground nut oil cake, soybean cake, fish meal, coconut oil cake and prawn meal (control diet-2). Fish in group-4 are fed with feed containing control diet-2+Spirulina. The fingerlings were fed @ 3% body weight at 8.00am and 8.00pm every day. Total protease, total amylase and total lipase were measured in the intestine of fingerlings on days 1, 10, 20 and 30. After the completion of 30 day period total protease, total amylase and total lipase of fingerlings were also recorded. It was observed that the intestinal enzyme activities increased with increase in time in both control and experimental groups; however the magnitude of increase or decrease respectively in the above variables is more pronounced in Spirulina fed fingerlings than in the control groups. Similarly the magnitude of increase in total body length and total biomass of Spirulina fed fingerlings is highly significant. The results highlight the importance of Spirulina as a feed supplement in enhancing the overall growth of fish.

Keywords: Cyprinus carpio, Spirulina, supplementary feed, Digestive enzymes (protease, amylase and lipase) activites.