Efficacy of Bitter Leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) Extract for Removal of Egg Adhesiveness During Artificial Propagation of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell 1822)

Abstract

Abstract The best immersion period and concentration of bitter leaf plant extract that can efficiently remove egg adhesiveness of Clarias gariepinus was assessed. One male and a female C. gariepinus broodstock weighing 1.3kg and 1.4kg respectively were used for the breeding. Three different concentrations comprising (0.5, 1 and 1.5) % of bitter leaf extract were tested. Tannic acid of 0.75g diluted into one liter of water was used as reference de-adhesion agent while water without solution or extract was used as control. The fish eggs were rinsed with the solutions at different durations of 30, 60, and 90 seconds. Each concentration and rinsing time were recorded in triplicates. Data generated were subjected to Analysis of Variance test, Tukey multiple range tests was used as a follow up procedure. Third order polynomial regression analysis was used to determine the best concentration and immersion period that neutralizes adhesiveness in eggs of C. gariepinus. The result of the study showed that there were no significant differences (p = 0.05) in the non-adhesive egg, percentage hatchability of eggs immersed in bitter leaf plant extract and tannic acid solution. The use of bitter leaf extract at the lowest concentration of 0.5% and 30 seconds immersion period showed great de-adhension efficiency which gave highest percentage fertility, non- adhesive eggs and percentage hatchability of 97.40%, 95.07% and 90.09% respectively.