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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #293565
Title: Essential oils enhance fillet composition of channel catfish

Author
item Peterson, Brian
item Bosworth, Brian
item MENGHE, LI - Mississippi State University
item SANTOS, G. - Biomin America, Inc
item BELTRAN, R. - Biomin America, Inc

Submitted to: Global Aquaculture Advocate
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/8/2013
Publication Date: 5/28/2013
Citation: Peterson, B.C., Bosworth, B.G., Menghe, L., Santos, G., Beltran, R. 2013. Essential oils enhance fillet composition of channel catfish. Global Aquaculture Advocate. P. 32-33.

Interpretive Summary: We investigated 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. 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. Although we did not see improvements in weight gain or FCR in our pond studies, fillet fat was decreased and fillet protein was increased with the addition of phytogenic feed additives to catfish diets. Improved fillet composition (higher protein and lower lipid) is of commercial importance. Survival was excellent in both studies and it is not clear what effects these products have on catfish immunity.

Technical Abstract: We investigated 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. 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. 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. Carcass, fillet, and nugget yield were similar. Fillet proximate analysis revealed that fillet fat was lower (P < 0.01) while fillet protein tended to be a little higher (P < 0.10) in treated fish. 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.