Single or combined effects of safegut and mannanoligosaccharide on growth performance, proximate composition and haematological parameters of walking catfish (Clarias batrachus, Linnaeus, 1758) juveniles

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the safegut and mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) as feed additives and their single or combined effects on the growth performance, proximate composition and haematological parameters of juvenile walking catfish (Clarias batrachus, Linnaeus, 1758). Triplicate groups of juvenile walking catfish (initial weight 22.35±0.12g) were fed twice daily at a rate of 2.5% of body weight for 12 weeks, with 0 (control), 0.2% safegut as probiotic, 0.4% MOS as prebiotic and 0.2% safegut and 0.4% MOS as synbiotic.  The results revealed that the growth performance and feed utilization parameters were significantly improved (p<0.05) in the groups fed with 0.2% probiotic and synbiotic than the control group with the highest value in the probiotic group. Among the body indices only viscera-somatic index showed a significant reduction in the synbiotic group compared to the control treatment. Results showed that the highest protein and lipid with the lowest moisture and ash content were observed in 0.2% probiotic fed group than the control. Haematological parameters such as haemoglobin concentration and packed cell volumewere improved in the probiotic group compared to the control. On the other hand, number of leucocytes increased significantly in the prebiotic supplied diet. Synbiotic fed group showed a significant elevation of haemoglobin content and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin than the control diet.  Based on the results of growth performance, proximate composition and haematological parameters, it can be concluded that single use of 0.2% safegut was more effective for C. batrachus juvenile.