Effects of Betaine supplementation in plant protein based diets on on growth, carcass compositions, haematological- biochemical parameters and apparent digestibility coefficient in Salmo caspius

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

A feeding trial was conducted to examine the effects of dietary supplementation of betaine on growth, nutrient utilization, carcass compositions and haematological- biochemical parameters in Salmo caspius fed a plant-protein based diet. 180 fish with average weight of 9.7±0.59 g were fed the plant-protein basal diet, the basal diet with 1.4 & 2.8% betaine supplementation, or a fishmeal-based diet (control) for 11 wk. Weight gain, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio were significantly higher in fish fed the betaine-supplemented diet (1.4 & 2.8%) as well as control diet than in fish fed the basal diet. The lowest and highest whole body protein and lipid concentrations were significantly found in the fish fed by basal diet. Based on the results of this study, the levels of liver enzymes were significantly higher in fish fed the betaine-supplemented diet (1.4 & 2.8%) as well as control diet than in fish fed the basal diet. The value of apparent digestibility of crude protein in diet-fed fish a fishmeal-based (control) were significantly higher than fish fed plant-protein basal diet and the basal diet with 1.4% betaine supplementation (p<0.05). Based on the results of this study, could be said that increased levels of 2.8% of betaine is an effective feeding stimulant that can be enhanced the palatability and intake of plant-protein based diets for Salmo caspius, improved growth performance, feed utilization and apparent digestibility coefficient.

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