Effects of Phytase and Citric Acid Supplemented Corn Gluten (30%) Meal-Based Diets on the Mineral Digestibility of Cirrhinus mrigala Fingerlings

Phytic acid is a major part of oilseed meals which reduces bioavailability of minerals and protein to fish. The present research project was planned to check the effects of citric acid and phytase supplementation in corn gluten (30%) meal-based diets, on mineral digestibility of Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings. The diets were formulated to supply adequate levels of all required nutrients for normal fish growth. Feces were collected twice a day from each tank. Effect of each treatment on the minerals digestibility was calculated using standard formulae. Highest apparent digestibility coefficient % of minerals (Calcium 68%, Phosphorus 77%, Sodium 64%, Potassium 62%, Magnesium 53%, Iron 64%, Copper 68%, Manganese 67% and Zinc 74%) was observed in the fish fed at 5% citric acid and 500 FTUkg(-1) phytase in corn gluten (30%) meal-based diet. Results of the current study indicated that addition of 5% citric acid and 500 FTUkg(-1) phytase to corn gluten (30%) meal-based diet was most effective among the levels to release the chelated minerals to Cirrhinus mrigala from phytate complexes. Hence, the use of citric acid (5%) and phytase (500 FTUkg(-1)) improves the fish performance when both were used in corn gluten (30%) meal-based diets.