ARS | Publication request: The effects of essential oils on growth performance survival and fillet composition of channel catfish

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: September 19, 2011
Publication Date: September 25, 2011
Citation: Peterson, B.C., Li, M.H., Bosworth, B.G. 2011. The effects of essential oils on growth performance survival and fillet composition of channel catfish. Meeting Abstract. P. 10.

Technical Abstract: Essential oils (EOs) are highly scented compounds of fragrant grasses, trees, and plants. The word “essential” is derived from the word “quintessence” which can be defined as the “pure and concentrated essence of a substance”. Since EOs contain most of the plant’s active substances, their name is verified. Research with domestic livestock suggests that EOs may improve growth, feed efficiency, and increase the ability to ward off diseases. Although fewer studies using EOs in fish have been conducted, available data also suggests that EOs have a benefit in improving growth and may also improve disease resistance. We examined the effects of a matrix encapsulated essential oil on channel catfish, an important aquaculture species in the southeastern United States. Five hundred catfish (32.4 ± 1.7 g/fish) were randomly assigned to two treatments with five replicate tanks/treatment of 50 fish/tank. Treatments were: 1. Control (32% crude protein floating commercial diet) and 2. Biomin® (32% crude protein commercial floating diet supplemented with Biomin® P.E.P. MGE at 200 g/ton). Tanks (1,150 L) were supplied with re-circulated pond water and aeration. The fish were fed once a day to apparent satiation for twelve weeks and weighed every four weeks. By week 8, Biomin® fed fish gained more weight (51.4 ± 1.9 g/fish vs. 37.3 ± 5.1 g/fish) compared to controls (P < 0.03). By the end of the study, Biomin® fed fish gained more weight (76.9 ± 2.0 g/fish vs. 53.4 ± 3.2 g/fish) and had a higher SGR (1.5 ± 0.1 vs. 1.3 ± 0.1) compared to controls (P < 0.001). In addition, Biomin® fed fish consumed more feed (104.3 ± 3.6 g/fish vs. 79.6 ± 3.0 g/fish). FCR and survival were not different between treatments at either 8 or 12 weeks. Fillet composition analysis showed that the amount of fat in the fillets was lower (16.1% vs 18.7%) and the amount of protein was higher (79.6% vs 76.5%) compared to controls (P < 0.09). Ongoing research in ponds and tanks will be discussed.