Dietary Supplementation of a- and (i- Chitosan and Growth and Blood Cell Composition in Common Carp, Cyprinus carpio L.

Abstract

Fingerlings of Cyprinus carpio L. were reared on four supplementary feeds containing 1% each of a-chitin, a-chitosan, P-chitin and -chitosan for a period of 90 days. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in weight gain of fish fed with a- and (J-chitosan supplemented diets. Diets containing 1% a-chitosan gave food conversion ratio (FCR) 1.16, protein efficiency ratio (PER) 2.11 and protein productive value (PPV) of 14.62. Fish survival ranged from 73-93% in treated fingerlings, while it was only 67% in control. The values of total erythrocyte count (TEC), total leucocyte count (TLC), haemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) were significant in the test groups treated with dietary a-chitosan. An overall improvement in the fish health was observed in the treated groups, a- and P-chitosan can be used as immunomodulatory feed additive in carp nutrition.