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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #292984
Title: Assessment of a phytogenic feed additive (Digestarom P.E.P. MGE) on growth performance, processing yield, fillet composition, and survival of channel catfish

Author
item Peterson, Brian
item Bosworth, Brian
item LI, MENGHE - Mississippi State University
item BELTRAN, RUBEN - Biomin America, Inc
item SANTOS, GONCALO - Biomin America, Inc

Submitted to: Journal of the World Aquaculture Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/5/2013
Publication Date: 2/28/2014
Citation: Peterson, B.C., Bosworth, B.G., Li, M.H., Beltran, R., Santos, G.A. 2014. Assessment of a phytogenic feed additive (Digestarom P.E.P. MGE) on growth performance, processing yield, fillet composition, and survival of channel catfish. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. 45:206-212.

Interpretive Summary: The use of feed additives to improve production has been identified as an important area for development in aquaculture. A study was conducted to investigate the effects of a feed additive (Digestarom® P.E.P. MGE) on growth performance, processing yield, fillet composition, and survival of pond raised channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. Fifteen 0.4 ha ponds were stocked with 14,820 catfish (126 g/fish) per ha. Fish in control ponds were fed a 32% crude protein commercial floating diet while fish in test ponds were fed the same diet supplemented with Digestarom® P.E.P. MGE at 200 g/ton. In a second study, ten 0.04 ha ponds were stocked at a similar density with fish that averaged 68 g/fish. Control and treated ponds received the same diets as described in the first study. At the end of the six-month study, there was no significant difference in the amount of feed fed or the amount of weight gained between the control and Digestarom® P.E.P. MGE fed fish. FCR, net yield, and survival were also similar between the two groups. Processing results showed that carcass, fillet, and nugget yield were similar. Fillet proximate analysis revealed that fillet fat was lower (31.3% vs 35.9%) while fillet protein tended to be a little higher (62.4 vs 61.2) in treated fish. In the second study, six months of feeding resulted in similar production characteristics between the two groups. In conclusion, there was a significant reduction in the amount of fillet fat in Digestarom® P.E.P. MGE fed fish. Improved fillet composition (higher protein and lower lipid) is of commercial importance.

Technical Abstract: The use of feed additives to improve production has been identified as an important area for development in aquaculture. A study was conducted to investigate the effects of a phytogenic feed additive (Digestarom® P.E.P. MGE) on growth performance, processing yield, fillet composition, and survival of pond raised channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. Fifteen 0.4 ha ponds were stocked with 14,820 catfish (126 g/fish) per ha. Fish in control ponds were fed a 32% crude protein commercial floating diet while fish in test ponds were fed the same diet supplemented with Digestarom® P.E.P. MGE at 200 g/ton. In a second study, ten 0.04 ha ponds were stocked at a similar density with fish that averaged 68 g/fish. Control and treated ponds received the same diets as described in the first study. At the end of the six-month study, there was no significant difference in the amount of feed fed or the amount of weight gained between the control and Digestarom® P.E.P. MGE fed fish. FCR, net yield, and survival were also similar between the two groups. Processing results showed that carcass, fillet, and nugget yield were similar. Fillet proximate analysis revealed that fillet fat was significantly lower (31.3% vs 35.9%) (P < 0.01) while fillet protein tended to be a little higher (62.4 vs 61.2) (P < 0.10) in treated fish. In the second study, six months of feeding resulted in similar production characteristics between the two groups. In conclusion, there was a significant reduction in the amount of fillet fat in Digestarom® P.E.P. MGE fed fish. Improved fillet composition (higher protein and lower lipid) is of commercial importance.